'Won't let you distract me': Rahul Gandhi's response to question on Kolkata rape draws BJP's ire

BJP on Tuesday fired a salvo at Rahul Gandhi after the Congress leader told reporters not to "distract" him with questions on the Kolkata rape-murder case during a protest in Rae Bareli.

Rahul, who is in his Lok Sabha constituency Rae Bareli after a Dalit man was shot dead earlier this month, said that he has already spoken about the Kolkata rape-murder case when asked to comment on the same by reporters.

"I have come here (Raebareli) to support the family of the victim (Dalit youth). I will not let you distract from this matter. I will speak on Kolkata doctor rape and murder case later," he said.

Rahul added that he has already commented on the Kolkata issue earlier.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that Rahul's remarks are an "insult to the victim" and "all women".

"When asked about RG Kar medical case & SC slamming Bengal govt & police Rahul Gandhi shamelessly says 'I won’t be distracted'. Is Nyay for Beti a distraction? Those who speak about Sanvidhan, about Ladki hoon lad sakti hoon & visit victims homes in UP call a grave injustice “distraction” because it happened in Bengal. This is an insult of the victim & of all women," he said on X.

Earlier, Rahul had reacted strongly to the gruesome incident that occurred at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital earlier this month and accused the local authorities of protecting the accused.

In a post in Hindi on X, Rahul said that there is an atmosphere of insecurity among the doctors and women in the country as horrific details of the incident are being made public.

"The entire country is shocked by the gruesome incident of rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata. The way the layers of the cruel and inhuman act against her are being revealed, there is an atmosphere of insecurity among the doctors' community and women," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rahul arrived in Rae Bareli to visit the family of a 22-year-old Dalit man, who was shot dead in Salon area earlier this month.

(With inputs from agencies)