New Delhi, Aug 27: As a group of Muslim women protested outside the Congress headquarters, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Thursday that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had been exposed and accused him of indulging in vote-bank politics.

Speaking to reporters, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said Rahul Gandhi had been exposed on several occasions, with Muslim women now highlighting what he described as the Congress leader’s politics.

“Rahul Gandhi’s face has been exposed many times, and Muslim women have exposed him again. You saw it when he met the youth, and now Muslim women have done it. Rahul Gandhi does vote-bank politics,” Singh added.

He also accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of remaining silent on issues concerning Muslim women.

“He (Rahul Gandhi) was silent when there were protests in Punjab. Today, Muslim women have exposed him in such a way. He does not speak about the freedom of Muslim women. Why would he say anything when his father changed the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Shah Bano case? He bowed down before the Muslims. Today, he has been exposed,” Giriraj Singh told media.

BJP National Spokesperson Guru Prakash also targeted Rahul Gandhi, referring to his remarks on patriarchy and raising questions about the Congress’ record concerning women leaders.

“Rahul Gandhi often talks about patriarchy. I want to ask him, which daughters are you talking about? You should know your history,” Guru Prakash said.

He referred to the Shah Bano case and raised issues related to Congress leaders and women politicians, including Kumari Selja and President Droupadi Murmu.

“When a Dalit woman like Kumari Selja wants to do politics in Haryana, you do not let her. And when a tribal woman occupies the highest Constitutional position, what did your leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury say about her? Is a Dalit’s daughter not a daughter? Is a Muslim’s daughter not a daughter? You called Maneka Gandhi a traitor. So, it is not right to make such comments about daughters,” he told media.

Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Dinesh Pratap Singh said, “The entire country is witnessing this. Rahul Gandhi never misses an opportunity to malign India, whether by participating in events that go against the nation or by colluding with foreign forces to tarnish its image. The people of the country, and especially Muslim women, realise this. Although Indian Muslims were previously unfairly stereotyped as not being Bharatiya Janata Party voters, our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), mindful of the dignity and honour of Muslim women, abolished the regressive practice of ‘Triple Talaq’ and restored their honour.”

Meanwhile, a group of women on Wednesday staged a protest outside the Congress headquarters against the Congress and Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking to media, one of the protesting women said they wanted Rahul Gandhi to accord Muslim women equal respect and representation.

“Our (Congress) government is in Karnataka, but there is not a single woman Minister. We also live in this country; India belongs to us too. We only want to say that he (Rahul Gandhi) should not take the wrong meaning of ‘triple talaq’. We are strong and want him to do his work, include women, and include Muslim women as well,” she had said.

Jaipur, Aug 27: The Rajasthan government has activated emergency helplines following the devastating floods and landslides in Nepal Rasuwa district, amid reports that more than 750 people are missing or unreachable, including 133 Indian nationals.

The state’s Disaster Management Department has placed its emergency machinery on alert to assist Rajasthan residents who may be stranded or missing in Nepal flood.

Many Indians reported missing are believed to be Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims and tourists travelling through the affected region.

The government said the exact number of Rajasthan residents among the missing Indians is not yet known.

Severe damage to roads and infrastructure, coupled with disruptions to communication networks, has made it difficult for families to establish contact with relatives in Nepal.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Jaipur is operating round the clock and coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the ministry of external affairs and local authorities in Nepal to trace stranded residents and facilitate assistance and evacuation.

The state government has set up emergency and toll-free helplines, along with an email address, to assist people seeking information about relatives travelling in Nepal.

Families who are unable to contact their relatives in Nepal can reach the Rajasthan control room through toll-free numbers 1070 and 112. They can also call 0141-2851960, 0141-2385776 and 0141-2385777. Additional lines are 0141-2227296, 0141-2927392 and 0141-2227603. The emergency IP number is 28888, while queries can also be sent to relief-rj@nic.in.

The government has urged families not to panic and to immediately report anyone who is missing or stranded.

Callers have been asked to provide the traveller’s full name, passport or identification details, last known location and other available travel information to help authorities verify the case quickly.

Rasuwa, a strategically important area near the Nepal-Tibet border, attracts tourists and pilgrims travelling towards religious and Himalayan destinations.

Recent flash floods and landslides have severely affected access routes and local infrastructure, complicating rescue operations.

The Rajasthan government has urged citizens to rely on official channels for verified information and avoid circulating unconfirmed reports on social media. Officials will continue coordinating with authorities in Nepal and the Government of India as rescue and relief operations progress.

Jammu, Aug 27: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested three more suspects, including the key perpetrator, in connection with the rape and death of a 15-year-old tribal girl in Kishtwar district last week, the police confirmed on Thursday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar, Naresh Singh, stated that the newly arrested individuals include a government school teacher accused of repeated sexual assault, his brother, and a daily-wager sweeper at District Hospital Kishtwar.

The minor girl allegedly died on August 20 following an abortion attempt in Chatroo area of the district.

The SSP said two of the accused have been identified as Mohd Ishaq and Riyaz Ahmed Sheikh, while the identity of the daily-wage sweeper is yet to be available.

According to the police, the minor was allegedly repeatedly raped by the teacher over several months, resulting in her pregnancy.

The Chatroo police received information about the girl’s suspicious death on August 20. As no formal complaint had initially been received, the police began inquest proceedings to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

“During the course of the inquest, material disclosing the commission of cognizable offences surfaced,” the SSP said.

The proceedings were subsequently converted into an FIR at Chatroo police station.

The FIR was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to rape and death caused by miscarriage, among other offences. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was also invoked. During the investigation, provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were added.

Given the seriousness and sensitivity of the case, the police constituted an SIT headed by Additional SP Kishtwar Pardeep Singh. The team includes Deputy Superintendent of Police Nitish Sharma, Chatroo SHO Inspector Rishi Kumar and other officers. It has been directed to conduct a thorough, scientific and time-bound investigation into all aspects of the case.

During the inquest and subsequent investigation, evidence allegedly emerged against the government teacher, including allegations that he had repeatedly sexually assaulted the minor, resulting in her pregnancy.

The probe further revealed that the teacher, allegedly in criminal conspiracy with his brother, administered medicines purportedly intended to terminate the pregnancy, Singh said.

The girl was initially taken to the Public Health Centre in Chatroo for medical treatment and was later shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar by the accused and others. The police allege that the hospital’s daily-wager sweeper was also involved in the conspiracy. The minor received treatment at the hospital and underwent an ultrasound examination.

Accordingly, Ishaq, Sheikh and the sweeper were arrested for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy, the SSP said. He added that further arrests would be made wherever warranted by evidence.

“The investigation is being conducted in a fair, impartial, professional, scientific and evidence-based manner,” Singh said, adding that every aspect of the case was being examined and legal action would be taken against anyone found involved.

Meanwhile, the local Imam of Kishtwar Jamia Masjid has called for a complete shutdown across the district on Thursday, demanding a thorough investigation and action against all those responsible. The shutdown call has received support from various organisations, including lawyers and Hindu religious bodies.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has also issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary, Director General of Police and Kishtwar SSP, seeking their responses within five days. The commission said it may summon the officials in person if they fail to respond. It has decided to probe the alleged rape and death of the minor girl.