Prajwal obscene video case: 'Will BJP continue alliance with JD(S)?'

BELAGAVI:

Laxmi Hebbalkar

, the

women and child welfare minister

, accused the

BJP leadership

of shielding JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna in the sex scandal case for

political gain

.
She urged the BJP leaders to clarify their stance on the scandal and whether they will continue their alliance with JD(S) despite the exposure of such a massive scandal.
During a

press conference

in Belagavi on Monday, Hebbalkar described the case as one of the biggest sex scandals in the world, bringing shame to both the state and the country.

"I am getting enquiries not just from the various parts of the country but also from abroad about the case", she said.
Hebbalkar alleged that the BJP leadership formed an alliance with JD(S) for political benefit, despite being aware of the scandal well in advance. She pointed out that in December, Devraj Gowda, a BJP leader from Hassan, had informed BJP state president BY Vijayendra about the scandal through a letter. Additionally, former BJP MLAs Preetam Gowda and RT Ramaswamy had brought the matter to the attention of union home minister Amit Shah during his visit to Mysuru. "This means, BJP knew about this scandal well in advance", she stated.

"Hundreds of girls and women, from the age of 16 to 60 have faced

sexual harassment

of MP Prajwal Revanna. There are even some police officials and anganwadi workers apart from SC/ST women, labourers and maids. Prime minister Narendra Modi is talking about the protection of mangalasutras of Hindu women. Do these women are not Hindus? What about their mangalasutras? PM should speak about it", Hebbalkar called upon.

Hebbalkar challenged the BJP to demonstrate their commitment to the slogan 'beti bachao, beti padhao' by agitating against the harassment of these hundreds of women in all taluks and districts, without showing double standards, as like they protested after the murder of Neha Hiremath in Hubballi. She also called upon opposition leader R Ashok to clarify BJP's political stand on the scandal, instead of evading the question by saying that 'JD(S) leaders will answer on it'. Similarly, she asked HD Kumaraswamy to reveal his clear stand instead of making a vague statement that 'who eats salt must drink water'.
As the minister of women and child welfare, Hebbalkar said she has discussed about the scandal in detail with CM Siddaramaiah, following which the government has handed over the case to SIT. She assured that the names of the victim girls and women who complain to SIT will be kept confidential. Hebbalkar also demanded that the union government bring the accused Prajwal Revanna back using

Interpol

, as he has fled abroad.