'Pralhad Joshi was seen garlanding Bilkis Bano's rapists': Abhijeet Dipke on education minister's appointment

Abhijeet Dipke targets Pralhad Joshi over education portfolio, invokes Bilkis Bano case

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has launched a fresh attack on newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, alleging that the BJP leader was "seen garlanding Bilkis Bano's rapists" and questioning his suitability for the education portfolio.

Dipke made the remarks while reacting to Joshi's appointment, saying the government had sent the wrong message by entrusting the education ministry to a leader whom critics have linked to the controversy surrounding the remission granted to the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.

"Pralhad Joshi was seen garlanding Bilkis Bano's rapists," Dipke alleged, arguing that such an appointment raises serious questions about the government's priorities.

Political controversy intensifies

Dipke's comments add to the growing political criticism surrounding Joshi's appointment. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also attacked the decision, accusing the minister of defending the remission of the Bilkis Bano convicts and questioning his suitability to head the education ministry.

The BJP has strongly rejected the allegations, accusing its critics of misrepresenting facts and engaging in character assassination. Party leaders have maintained that Joshi's past remarks were related to the legal process surrounding the remission of the convicts and not an endorsement of their crimes.

Background to the controversy

The controversy stems from the remission granted in 2022 to the 11 men convicted in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang rape case. At the time, Pralhad Joshi defended the decision by stating that it had been taken "as per the legal provision." Those remissions were later set aside by the Supreme Court, which ordered the convicts to return to prison.

Joshi was recently given charge of the Education Ministry following changes in the Union Cabinet. Since then, opposition leaders and activists have intensified their criticism, while the BJP has defended the appointment and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.

War of words continues

Dipke's latest remarks are expected to further sharpen the political confrontation over the education ministry. With both the opposition and the BJP standing by their respective positions, the controversy is likely to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing political discourse.