Udaipur– In a blistering critique of the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government, former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared that the state's law and order situation has completely broken down, creating an atmosphere of fear and impunity, especially for women and children.

Addressing a press conference during his visit to the Udaipur region, Gehlot expressed deep anguish over a spate of horrific crimes, highlighting a pervasive sense of insecurity among the public.

Gehlot began his attack by pointing to a disturbing surge in sexual assault cases. "Rape is happening everywhere. It's as if there is an unending chain of rapes, something beyond comprehension. What has happened to our society?" he questioned.

He cited specific, harrowing examples to underscore his point: "One after another rape case... a father raped his two-month-old baby. What does this mean? What kind of atmosphere has been created in Rajasthan?" He mentioned incidents in Banswara and other areas, referencing a school-going girl who was recently raped. "There is a strange atmosphere in Rajasthan. Children aged 9, 12, and 15 are being raped," he stated.

The former CM directly blamed the current administration for this collapse, stating that the fear of the government and the police has vanished. "When the government's iqbal (authority/prestige) is lost, people are not afraid. If there was any authority, such a situation would not have arisen," Gehlot asserted.

While acknowledging that crimes occur in every state and under every government, he emphasized that the current situation in Rajasthan is exceptional. "Crime has crossed all limits in Rajasthan; it has crossed the heart. A perception has been created among the common people that there is no government in name or substance. This perception is not in the interest of the Chief Minister himself."

A Government "Without Care or Concern"

Gehlot contrasted the current government's approach with his own, accusing them of being completely disconnected from public suffering. He claimed that unlike his administration, the current dispensation shows "no care or concern" for the people's problems.

He cited several examples to illustrate this apathy:

He mocked the CM's style of governance, citing an instance where the CM visited a flood-affected area in Dholpur but held meetings at the helipad instead of walking through the ravaged villages. "I keep asking, who is advising him? It doesn't make sense."

Gehlot lamented the weakening or closure of key Congress-era schemes. He passionately defended the Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme, which offered coverage of up to ₹25 lakh for free treatment. "A revolution happened in healthcare... the poor were getting free operations, dialysis, MRIs. Today, the message has gone out that it's been reduced to ₹5 lakh, and hospitals are turning people away."

 He pointed finger at the government for replacing his photos with PM Modi on the 'Annapoorna' food kits and halting the popular scheme. "They changed the photo but didnt continue the scheme. You can change the name, but atleast don't stop the work."

 He warned against closing English medium schools in villages, a initiative he initially opposed but later championed. "I have seen children from poor, SC/ST families in villages speaking good English. They got an opportunity. We started English schools, and now there is a move to weaken or close them."

Gehlot reserved his strongest criticism for the handling of the Kanhaiya Lal murder case in Udaipur. He recalled how his government acted swiftly, apprehending the culprits within hours and handing the case to the NIA to prevent communal unrest.

However, he expressed shock and suspicion over the lack of progress in the last three years. "It is a mystery. Why is the case not moving forward? My charge is that those who committed the murder were BJP workers. I have alleged that they were earlier released from police stations... there are photographs. No one has denied these allegations."

He challenged Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Modi, who are scheduled to visit, to answer why the NIA has not been able to conclude the investigation and ensure justice for the family. "If the case was with us, there would have been a decision in six months to a year, be it life imprisonment or death penalty."