Union minister Nihal Chand Meghwal speaks on the rape case filed against him.
Outside the BJP'S head office in Delhi demands for Minister of State Nihal Chand Meghwal's removal are getting louder. The All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) led a protest demanding his removal. The Congress is questioning the government's claims on zero tolerance for violence against women after serious allegations have been levelled against their own junior minister.
President of the AIMC Shobha Oza said, "Either he should resign or should be removed. This shows their double standards. In Parliament they claim they are in support of women's safety and then they take no action when it's their own minister."
The woman who has filed the charges says that in 2011, she was raped by a group of men including Mr Meghwal, who was not a parliamentarian at the time. She says her husband, an aspiring politician and property dealer, forced her to have sex with powerful and connected men in and around Jaipur.
The associates were alleged to include Mr Meghwal and Rajasthan BJP leader Om Prakash Godara.
The trial court dismissed the allegations but now a review petition has been admitted and Mr Meghwal has been summoned by the court.
The woman now wants to meet the PM and has alleged she is under pressure to withdraw the case. She is also seeking police protection.
The BJP though is standing by its minister. "No one can be protected because he is a minister," said Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi, adding, "but you can't falsely implicate someone. Nothing has been proven yet".
After less than a month in power, roles have reversed with the BJP defending its minister as the opposition is increasing pressure.