Punjab Education Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra says molestation death was ‘God’s will’

After the comments, beamed by TV channels, drew widespread criticism, the minister denied making such a statement and claimed he was talking about crop failure.

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Nobody can stop accidents; whatever happens that happens by god’s wish: Surjit Singh Rakhra (Education Min, Punjab) pic.twitter.com/qCEa6eW3EC

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 2, 2015

Talking to reporters in Patiala, Rakhra had said: “Nobody can stop accidents. Whatever happens is by God’s will. The incident was unfortunate but you cannot go against the nature’s will.”

Ministers of Akali Dal-BJP Govt are giving out insensitive statements,it’s completely inhuman: RS Surjewala on Surjit Singh Rakhra’s comment

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 2, 2015

Later, he told The Sunday Express, “I was asked about the status of wheat procurement in state. I said that is due to God’s will that inclement weather destroyed the crop in state.”

Arshdeep’s grandmother Surjit Kaur outside the Moga hospital. (Source: Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)

“I was also asked about new girls’ colleges in state and students who meet with accidents on roads. I said that it is unfortunate and government needs to take precautions but we cannot stop all accidents and people, too, need to take precautions,” he said.