Kavinder Gupta calls Kathua rape 'minor incident', draws flak

Interacting with the media, Gupta, who belongs to the BJP, said such small incidents should not be given much importance.

Gupta took oath as the new Deputy CM of the state following a cabinet reshuffle.

He has been quoted by NDTV as, "Rasana is a chhoti si baat (minor issue)... We have to think this should never happen again and the child gets justice. There are many challenges like this facing the government. We should not give Rasana so much bhaav(importance)."

Reacting to the comment, former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: "What justice can one expect from @MehboobaMufti when her Deputy CM calls the rape & murder of an 8 year old 'a minor incident' that the media shouldn’t focus on."

The Congress party also slammed Gupta and said the BJP's 'Beti Bachao' slogan is actually an alarm for women.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted: "In Jammu and Kashmir, BJP's new deputy chief minister makes fun of Kathua's brutality. Terms it a "small incident". It has been once again established that BJP's "Beti Bachao" slogan was actually a warning,"

Gupta later accused the media of misinterpreting his remark, media reports said.

The incident, in which eight-year old Asifa was allegedly raped, mutilated and murdered by eight men inside a temple in Rassana area of  Heeranagar, created an uproar across the country.

The row had escalated after several BJP leaders supported the accused people.

The Crime Branch later filed a charge sheet against eight accused.