Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government, describing newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi as a “defender of rapists” and questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to give him the education portfolio.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi said the Prime Minister had many options in his Cabinet but chose a minister who had defended the release of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.
“The Education Minister of India, after all these young people protested over the education system and many young girls were beaten during the protests, is a man who is a defender of rapists. That is the most filthy type of man. There can be no filthier man than somebody who says that rapists need protection,” Gandhi said.
“It is strange. There are so many people in his Cabinet, but he chose a person who protects rapists. It’s quite amazing,” he added.
Congress Refers to Bilkis Bano Convicts’ Release
The Congress also shared an earlier video of Joshi in which he defended the release of the 11 men convicted in the 2002 gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members during the Gujarat riots.
In the video, Joshi is heard saying, “I don’t think there is anything wrong in that because that is being done as per process of law.”
The remarks were made in 2018 when Joshi was serving as the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and responded to questions about the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to the convicts.
At the time, Joshi had also argued that the convicts had spent a considerable period in prison and referred to their alleged “good behaviour” while serving their sentences.
Priyanka Gandhi Says Appointment Sends Wrong Message
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised Joshi’s appointment while speaking during the Lok Sabha debate on a Bill aimed at strengthening laws against examination paper leaks and unfair practices.
She said appointing a minister who had defended the release of rape convicts sent the wrong message, particularly when the government claimed to support women’s rights.
“At a time when they are talking about women’s rights and women’s reservation, this sends a very wrong message,” Priyanka Gandhi said.
Her remarks triggered protests from treasury bench members, who demanded that she authenticate her claims. She later said the Congress possessed video evidence of Joshi’s earlier statements.
Supreme Court Cancelled Convicts’ Remission
The controversy relates to the remission granted to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. The Gujarat government had released them after they had served several years in prison.
The decision drew nationwide criticism and was later set aside by the Supreme Court in 2024. The court ruled that the remission order had been passed without legal authority and cancelled the release of the convicts.
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks come amid continued political exchanges between the Congress and the BJP over the government’s handling of education, women’s safety, and recent student protests.
