The Congress on Saturday condemned Punjab Education Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra's statement on the Moga molestation incident, wherein the latter termed the case as 'god's will', and said this reflected the arrogance of power of the BJP-Akai Dal state government.
"Ministers of the BJP-Akai Dal Government are making such insensitive statements. This is inhuman and completely cruel, and reflects that arrogance of power has surpassed the basic tenets of humanity," said party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
"The Moga incident is a malady that prevails in Punjab where everything has been captured by one family. First of all, Harsimrat Kaur Badal denied that the Orbit bus belonged to them, and then, her father-in-law and the chief minister of Punjab, admits the ownership," he said.
"You own the company, and despite that, nobody goes to visit this scheduled class family, to at least speak to them and know what the problem is. They refused to cremate the body, as the police is pressurizing them into compromising the case," he added.
Earlier in the day, Rakhra sparked off a fresh row of controversy by terming the Moga molestation incident as an 'accident' and adding that accidents happen by 'god's will'.
"Nobody can stop accidents; whatever happens, happens by god's will. We will take precautions in the future, but, cannot stand in front of nature, whether it's an accident or any other thing," said Rakhra.
The 13-year-old girl died after she and her mother were allegedly pushed off a moving bus after being molested on April 29.
Local residents rushed the two to a nearby hospital where the girl was pronounced dead.
Four people, including the bus driver and his attendant, have been arrested.
The bus belongs to the Orbit Transport Company, which is a part of Orbit Aviation Pvt Ltd, which is co-owned by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
