Punjab Education Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Surjit Singh Rakhra on Saturday stirred a controversy by saying that the death Moga victim is god's will.
"Nobody can stop accidents. Whatever happens that happens by God's will," said Surjit Singh Rakhra.
Rakhra further added, "We will take precautions in future but can’t stand in front of nature, whether it's an accident or any other thing."
Reacting to Rakhra's remarks, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewal said, "Ministers of Akali Dal-BJP government are giving out insensitive statements and it is completely inhuman. It reflects that arrogance of power has surpassed the basic principles of humanity."
A woman and her teenaged daughter were allegedly molested and thrown off a running bus belonging to the ruling Badal family in Punjab on Thursday, leaving the girl dead and mother seriously wounded.
The shocking incident occurred close to Gill village on Moga-Kotkapura road, about 10 km from Moga district headquarters.
Meanwhile, Sukhdev Singh, father of the victim, has declined Punjab government's compensation and job offer and sought an FIR against Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Sukhdev Singh, said they would not cremate the girl till their demands are accepted including Rs 50 lakh compensation, employment to one member of the family, free treatment to the injured and cancellation of route permits of buses of Orbit Aviation in whose bus the incident took place two.
The incident has provoked public outrage with opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, besides farmers and rights groups taking to streets in Punjab and Delhi.
Expressing ‘deepest sorrow and outrage’ over the Moga bus tragedy, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has assured strictest punishment to the perpetrators of the incident.
Four persons including the driver, cleaner and conductor of the bus were arrested on Saturday.
