Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on Sunday demanded strict action against miscreants who harassed her daughter and several other girls during a yatra in Kothali village, Jalgaon.

The incident occurred during a Maha Shivratri Mela in Muktainagar, where a group of youths allegedly harassed the minister's daughter and other girls. The accused also attempted to take their pictures on mobile phones.

Upon receiving information, the police rushed to the scene, but the culprits had already fled.

Following the incident, Khadse, accompanied by her daughter, a large number of supporters, and party workers, arrived at the police station to file a complaint.

Speaking to reporters, Khadse, visibly upset, stated in Marathi (loosely translated into English), “I have come to the police station not as a Union Minister and MP but as a mother seeking justice.”

Expressing deep concern over women’s safety, she questioned, “If the daughters of families like ours are not safe, then what about the rest? If my own daughter is not safe, what will be the condition of others? I will demand strict action from the state government for the implementation of the law.”

“If the daughter of a public representative is being harassed, then what about the safety of common citizens? I will meet the Chief Minister and demand action on such incidents,” she further added.

Khadse revealed that complaints about the accused had already been reported to the police.

“They have taken videos of four or five girls. Crimes against women have increased across the state, and the accused no longer fear the law. Many girls hesitate to come forward, but we must not remain silent. That is why I have filed a complaint,” she said.

One arrested, search for six others continues

In a recent update, Jalgaon police on Sunday confirmed the arrest of one accused in the harassment case, while a search operation is ongoing to track down six others involved in the incident.

Raksha Khadse, a three-time Member of Parliament from the Raver Lok Sabha seat, is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

(With inputs from syndicated feed)