Rahul & Priyanka Gandhi meet Hathras Dalit girl’s family, promise to help

In Hathras, the Dalit girl's family collected her ashes today, even as Rahul & Priyanka Gandhi were given permission to drive to the village to meet them

By
Manisha Mondal
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Congress leaders and brother-sister duo Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi visit the Hathras victim's family in their home amid scores of journalists and press | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
Congress leaders and brother-sister duo Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi visit the Hathras victim's family in their home amid scores of journalists and press | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Lucknow/Hathras: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra finally managed to meet the family of the Dalit woman in Hathras Saturday, who died after she was assaulted and allegedly gang-raped. They told the family they would fight for justice.

We will fight against injustice, and fight till justice is done, Priyanka Gandhi told reporters after the meeting that lasted about 45 minutes, while Rahul Gandhi said no power can stifle the voice of the family.

The two Congress leaders tried visiting Hathras Thursday however were detained and arrested under Section 144 of the CrPC and Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code on their way to the UP district.

When a delegation of Congress MPs and other leaders reached the Yamuna Expressway Saturday, the Noida police said they will allow only five party representatives to meet the family at their village in Hathras, about 150 km away. UP Congress leader Pradeep Mathur told PTI that K C Venugopal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Mukul Wasnik accompanied the Gandhis on the visit. There was heavy security presence outside the family home.

The two brothers of the Hathras victim hold her ashes three days after the body was cremated in an open field allegedly against the family's wishes in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
The two brothers of the Hathras victim hold her ashes three days after the body was cremated in an open field allegedly against the family’s wishes in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaking to the family of the Hathras victim, specifically one of the victim’s brothers | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra holds the hands of a family member of the Hathras victim | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks to the family of the Hathras victim at their home in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi visit the Hathras victim’s family at their home | | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Inputs from PTI