Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the sexual abuse allegations against JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna. Gandhi questioned whether being part of "Modi's political family" is a "guarantee of protection for criminals".
Police booked Prajwal Revanna and his father H D Revanna on charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation based on a complaint from a woman who worked in their household. Prajwal is the grandson of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and nephew of former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy.
Faced with criticism, the JD(S), an ally of the BJP, suspended Prajwal.
In a post in Hindi, Gandhi said, "As always, Narendra Modi has maintained shameful silence on the gruesome crimes committed against women in Karnataka."
Gandhi further questioned why Modi campaigned for Prajwal despite knowing about the allegations against him. He also asked how Prajwal managed to escape from the country so easily.
Gandhi concluded by saying that the prime minister's "silent support" to criminals is emboldening them across the country. He questioned whether being part of Modi's "political family" is a "guarantee of protection" for criminals.