Uttar Pradesh Minister Mocks Unnao Rape Survivor's Protest at India Gate

Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has sparked outrage by mocking the Unnao rape survivor's protest at India Gate. His comments came after the survivor and her mother were forcibly removed while protesting against the suspension of the convict's life sentence. The minister questioned why the protest was held in Delhi instead of Unnao, dismissing the survivor's concerns about safety. The incident has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who condemned the treatment of the survivor and the granting of bail to the convict. The survivor plans to challenge the court's decision in the Supreme Court, highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and safety for women in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 15:06 IST

Controversial Remarks by UP Minister

On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar made light of the Unnao rape survivor's protest, questioning her presence at India Gate instead of her home in Unnao, as reported by a local news outlet.

The survivor and her mother had gathered at India Gate on Tuesday to voice their opposition to the High Court's decision to suspend the life sentence of former BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who was convicted in the case. They were forcibly removed from the protest site by security personnel.

Rajbhar, responding to inquiries from reporters, laughed and remarked, “Why India Gate? She is from Unnao.”

His comments came after the woman was taken away by police during the protest.

Rajbhar further stated that the court had mandated a 5-km distance between Sengar and the survivor's family, questioning the need for a protest in Delhi when security measures were in place.

Sengar was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2019 for the rape of the woman, who was a minor at the time of the incident in 2017.

In a separate case, he and his brother were also sentenced to 10 years for the murder of the survivor's father while in judicial custody.

Despite being granted bail by the Delhi High Court, Sengar remains incarcerated due to the conviction in the murder case.

The survivor expressed her distress over the court's decision, stating it felt like “no less than death” for her. She raised concerns about the safety of women in the country if convicts are granted bail and announced her intention to appeal the verdict in the Supreme Court.

A video capturing the removal of the survivor and her mother from the protest prompted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to question the appropriateness of such treatment towards a gangrape survivor. He criticized the bail granted to Sengar as “extremely disappointing and shameful,” emphasizing the ongoing harassment faced by the survivor.

Gandhi questioned, “Bail for rapists, and treating survivors like criminals – what kind of justice is this?”