PM Modi should take 'stern' action against Sakshi Maharaj: Congress

The Congress party on Saturday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharaj for his 'insensible' statement supporting rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and demanded a stern action against him.

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Manak Agarwal said that they would write a letter to speaker Sumitra Mahajan to cancel Maharaj's membership from the Lok Sabha.

"Sakshi Maharaj should not question the judiciary system. We will write a letter to Sumitra Mahajan asking her to cancel the membership of Maharaj from Lok Sabha," Agarwal told ANI.

Another Congress leader Pankaj Chaturvedi also condemned Maharaj's assertion and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take stern action against him.

"Sakshi Maharaj's statement has hurt the sentiments of the people of the countr, especially women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take cognizance of his remark and take stern action against him," he told ANI.

BJP MP Maharaj on Friday came out in support of Gurmeet Ram Rahim after the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was convicted in a rape case by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula.

"Crores of people follow him (Gurmeet Ram Rahim). Why are we not listening to them? Why are we listening to one person (the victim). Gurmeet Ram Rahim is a noble soul. This is a conspiracy to defame Indian culture and the holy people. If there is further violence, the courts will be responsible," Maharaj had said.

At least 29 people were killed, including two women and a child, and more than 250 injured as violence erupted in Haryana and Punjab after the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was convicted in the rape case.

The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on August 28.

After being convicted, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was taken to Rohtak by helicopter.

-ANI