Barely hours after he took oath as the Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta stoked a controversy today by terming the gruesome rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua as a "small incident" which should not get so much attention.
The remarks were promptly slammed by opposition parties following which Gupta issued a clarification.
An old RSS hand, 59-year-old Gupta, who is an MLA representing the Gandhinagar assembly seat, was asked by reporters whether the reshuffle carried out by the Mehbooba Mufti government was a result of the Kathua case in which some BJP leaders had participated last month in a rally in support of the accused.
"Kathua maamla ek chota sa maamla hai. Isko itna tool nahi dena chahiye (Kathua incident is a small incident which should not be given so much importance)," Gupta replied.
Known for having made controversial remarks during his stint as Speaker of the state Assembly, Gupta said the Kathua incident was "minor issue (chhoti si baat)".
"We have to think that this should never happen again, and the child gets justice. There are many challenges like this facing the government. We should not give this incident so much importance," Gupta added.
Asked about the demand for a CBI probe into the Kathua case, he said "the matter is with the courts, let them decide for now."
Congress leader Salman Nizami tweeted "After pro-rapist MLA was inducted in Ministry, this shameless/heartless BJP neta- Dy CM JK Kavinder Gupta says Rape and murder of 8 year old girl in Kathua is a SMALL issue, should not be given much hype. And his supporters Laugh.....! Shame BJP Shame (sic)."
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