Mumbai, April 1 (IANS) Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare on Wednesday described the incidents involving self-styled godman Ashok Kharat as “extremely heinous and condemnable.”
She emphasised that there is no room for supporting such actions and aligned herself firmly with the state government’s official position.
“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe this matter. The SIT is headed by an experienced female police officer. As a member of the cabinet, my stand is identical to that of the Chief Minister,” Minister Tatkare stated while speaking to reporters.
She added that as a woman, a representative of the people, and the Minister for Women and Child Development, her primary concern is ensuring justice for the victims and the strictest possible punishment for the accused.
Her statement comes after the case, which involves allegations of sexual exploitation by a self-proclaimed godman, sparked a political firestorm in the state due to Kharat’s photographed links with various high-profile leaders.
Addressing the viral photographs of Ashok Kharat with political figures, Minister Tatkare dismissed allegations of political patronage.
She noted that while many leaders across party lines may have encountered Kharat at public events, it did not imply they were aware of his criminal activities.
She remarked that the case serves as a “lesson” for all politicians in progressive Maharashtra to be cautious about the individuals they associate with or seek advice from.
She clarified that meeting someone at a public event does not imply support for their character or actions.
Minister Tatkare pointed out that no leader from any party has come forward to defend Kharat’s actions. “I am certain that if any politician in Maharashtra had known about these despicable acts, they would never have met him,” she asserted.
Her statement comes on the heels of a sharp attack by state Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal.
In a post on X, Sapkal accused Tatkare of being “missing in action” while atrocities against women in the state were on the rise.
He questioned why the Minister had not held high-level meetings with the Director General of Police or visited the victims.
He also highlighted the lack of response regarding serious allegations levelled against the Chairperson of the State Commission for Women.
“If the Minister does not understand her responsibilities, she should resign and go home rather than just occupying the chair,” said Sapkal.
While the Minister spoke, the opposition continued to pressure the government over the safety of women and the alleged proximity of “godmen” to the corridors of power.
--IANS
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