Social and Justice Minister of Maharashtra is a rape accused. Clamours to remove him get louder

In a shocking series of events which signify just how safe the women are under Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Agadi Government, the Social and Justice Minister of the state has been accused of rape. Allegation of rape has been levelled against Dhananjay Munde, an NCP leader by a 38-year-old woman.

These grave accusations against the Maharashtra cabinet minister were levelled by the victim on January 11, when the woman went to the Oshiwara police station in Andheri to file a rape complaint against Munde. She stated that she knew the NCP leader since 1997. She also alleged that Munde had raped her by giving an assurance of marrying her and also promised to help her get work as a singer in Bollywood.

Advocate Ramesh Tripathi, the lawyer of the woman said, “Dhananjay Munde first raped her in 2008 when she was alone at her home and shot a video. Since then, he had repeated the act multiple times over the years. In 2019, he refused to marry her and said if she said something, then he would leak the video on social media. The police station denied lodging an FIR in the case. We will go to court. If anything happens to her, then Dhananjay Munde will be responsible.”

Taking her plight to social media, the victim has even tweeted that her “life is under threat” and complained that her complaint against the Maharashtra minister is not being accepted.

Maharastra NCP leader Dhananjay Munde in his defence has come out to claim that he was in a ‘consensual relationship’ with the victim’s sister, and has two children with her, a fact that has apparently been accepted by his family and wife.

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The BJP has taken a very aggressive stance against the Maharashtra NCP leader and has demanded his resignation. BJP’s women wing wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to ask for his removal from the Maharashtra cabinet.

Uma Khapre of BJP Mahila Morcha said, “Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde has admitted to having two wives. According to the prevalent Hindu Marriage Act having two wives is illegal. As per the law of our land, a married man or a woman can opt for second marriage only after a legally ratified divorce or in the wake of the death of either of the spouse. If Dhananjay Munde does not resign, we will take to the streets.”

She further wrote, “You have placed the responsibility of a top cabinet minister like the social justice department on an irresponsible person with serious allegations. The incident will definitely have an adverse effect on society.”

Demanding the resignation of the Maharashtra cabinet minister, she said, “We demand the immediate resignation of Cabinet Minister Dhananjay Munde. Otherwise, the BJP Mahila Morcha will agitate against the government for the resignation and legal action against the minister.”

Echoing this stance, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also tweeted, “Having a relationship with three women, Minister Dhananjay Munde must stay out from Maharashtra Cabinet till he gets clean.”

The irony of the Social and Justice Minister being accused of raping a woman is so thick, one could cut it with a knife. The primary job of a person holding the portfolio is to ensure welfare, social justice and empowerment of the women of Maharashtra. When Dhananjay Munde is clearly unable to fulfil that in his own business, it is certainly wondering how he is expected to do so for the rest of the state.