Neelam Gorhe and Girish Mahajan

Shiv Sena has slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister Girish Mahajan for saying that rape had not taken place in the Nashik sexual assault case terming his remark “immature.”

Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe has further blamed BJP corporator in Nashik Pawan Pawar for fuelling communal tension in the district.

Ms Gorhe has appealed to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to look into the matter as the repercussions of the caste discord was being felt in nearby areas such as Pune.

“The chief minister and many other politicians has appealed to maintain peace, while the district guardian minister went on record claiming rape had not occurred in this case. He should have waited for the investigation and medical reports before making such a statement. His remarks irked the people in the area,” Ms Gorhe said.

A minor girl was sexually abused in Nashik last week sparking tension in the area between communities, as the accused and the victim belonged to different castes. “Any case involving a minor has to be dealt with sensitively. Even if it was an attempt to rape, the minister should have been wary of blurting it out considering the circumstances. Today anti-social elements are taking advantage of the situation,” she said.

She further said that while the chief minister appealed for law and order in the area, his party men had done the reverse. “Pawan Pawar is a known history-sheeter. He is an accused in police stabbing case. Besides, arms were recovered from his house. The CM should at lease check the police records of people who join his party. Today, he has been blamed for fuelling communal tension in the area,” the Ms Gorhe said.

Alluding to an earlier sexual harassment case alleged by his own party woman on Mumbai BJP Yuva Morcha chief Ganesh Pande, Ms Gorhe sought to know why no action had been taken yet.

Ms Gorhe further condemned all such sexual attacks on women and demanded that proper investigation was needed, especially in the light of another case where a tribal girl from the Raigad district was raped and stoned to death.