The Delhi unit of BJP today demanded that the 23-year-old gangrape victim be honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, the country's highest civilian award for bravery, as her courage has "inspired the whole nation".
In letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP state unit president Vijender Gupta made the demand to honour the girl posthumously during Republic Day.
"The courage and bravery she exhibited has inspired the whole nation and shaken our national consciousness," Gupta stated in the letter.
He cited the case of India's youngest recipient of the Ashoka Chakra, Neerja Bhanot, to emphasise the need to honour the young paramedical student, who died in a Singapore hospital after being brutally assaulted in a moving bus here on December 16.
Bhanot, who was a flight attendant with Pan Am airlines, died while saving passengers from terrorists on board the hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 on September 5, 1986.
"You were one of the few people who were present at the time her body returned from Singapore and I am confident that you will consider the feeling of the nation to honour her with the Ashoka Chakra," Gupta said in the letter.
Delhi BJP also demanded resignation of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit alleging that she had failed in providing security to the people of Delhi.
The opposition party alleged that criminals are not afraid of law and police due to "inactiveness" of Delhi government.
"This government has no moral rights to continue in power. The main cause of this incident is the chaotic public transport of Delhi. Government has failed to install GPS in buses and autos," a BJP statement said.
Emerging story. Watch this space for updates as more details come in
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