The BJP criticised the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress administration in Rajasthan on Monday, two days after a Hindu priest was assassinated in the state's Dausa district, stating that it was the outcome of its minority-appeasement policy, news agency PTI reported. Priest Ramjilal Sharma (65) was allegedly assaulted by a drunken man in Kalakho village in Dausa on Friday, and he died from his injuries on Saturday at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur. According to police, the culprit was apprehended on Saturday.
The shooting of the priest, according to Rajendra Rathore, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, was very tragic and a disgrace on the Congress administration.
"Once again, an innocent priest has been killed in Rajasthan. This is not the first time this has happened. Every month, priests and mahants, who offer prayers at temples, are being targeted by miscreants somewhere in the state," Rathore said in a post in Hindi on X.
He claimed that Rajasthan has become a hotbed of crime, with criminals carrying out such acts right under the nose of the government.
Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat accused the Gehlot administration of splitting society by pursuing an appeasement strategy for minorities during a news conference in Jaipur.
He further accused Gehlot of making inappropriate public remarks in order to shift attention away from issues such as law and order and crime against women.
Shekhawat claimed that during Congress administration, Rajasthan had become the country's rape capital, but the government continued to implement its appeasement strategy in order to get votes.
"Lakhs of people are worried about the hidden intentions of the government and its agenda of dividing the society through its appeasement policy in order to garner votes. A priest was beaten to death by criminals outside his house in Kalkoh, Dausa. He was beaten so badly that his eyes popped out. Even before this, several priests were killed. Such incidents are happening to lower the morale of the majority and boost the morale of the minorities. The government is a pioneer of appeasement," he was quoted by PTI in its report.
Shekhawat further said that the state Congress is divided and that issues (between Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot) have not been resolved internally.
Concerning crime against women, he stated that the number of instances such as rape has increased in the state as a result of the Congress government's failure to regulate crime.
Shekhawat cited a recent road rage incident in Jaipur in which the state minister immediately declared a financial help of Rs 50 lakh for the victim's family, giving an example of appeasement.
He demanded that the government reveal the amount of help supplied in incidents when innocent individuals, including priests, were slain.
The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will vote on November 25, and the results will be announced on December 3.