'Crime against women increased in Fadnavis tenure:' Sanjay Raut slams Maha govt. in minor rape-assault case

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has demanded that the Home Minister be treated as an accused in the case involving the sexual assault and brutal murder of a four-year-old girl in Pune. 

The horrific incident has shaken the entire state of Maharashtra and sparked widespread outrage. Reacting to the incident, Raut strongly criticised Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 

Speaking to reporters, Raut said this was not the first such incident. “Ever since Devendra Fadnavis became Chief Minister, the situation regarding crimes against women, murders, and law and order in the state has completely deteriorated. The reason is that he has failed to fulfil his responsibilities as Home Minister. Cases of atrocities against minor girls are repeatedly coming to light. Crimes against women have increased, while our Chief Minister remains busy campaigning across states, sometimes in West Bengal, sometimes in Kerala, Assam, or Tamil Nadu,” he said.

“This state is no longer fit for ordinary people to live in. It is being run on the strength of power and the arrogance of money. With no fear of the law, criminals are emboldened to commit atrocities. The people must take control of this government. This government, the Home Minister, and the police should be treated as the accused. A case should be filed against the state government itself. The government should be ‘encountered’ as well,” Raut said.

He further said that the victim’s mother might be a beneficiary of government schemes. “Perhaps the girl’s mother is considered a ‘Ladki Bahin’ of the government and may be receiving ₹1,500 in her account. But does that give anyone the right to assault and murder her daughter? Is the government trying to silence women with such payments?” he alleged.

Calling for action, Raut urged women across the state to stand up against the government and hold it accountable. “The opposition must take to the streets. Sadly, the state is no longer safe for ordinary citizens. The arrogance of power and money is ruling the system. Because there is no fear of the law, such heinous crimes are taking place,” he said, holding the state government and the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, responsible.

He added that the law has lost its deterrence. “The government is only showing its strength against common citizens. People who carried the girl’s body onto the streets were lathi-charged. What was their fault? They protested because the government had failed,” he said.