Peace seems to be returning to Bhatta-Parsaul, but the matter is still being played out in the political arena. On Wednesday Congress went into damage control mode after questions over Rahul Gandhi's claims of bodies burnt and women raped at the epicentre of the farmers' protest.


On a mission: Rahul Gandhi in Bhatta-Parsaul on May 11. file pic

Rahul, after meeting the Prime Minister on Monday, had generated much political heat with his claims about the Uttar Pradesh government's alleged atrocities in the villages. "74 stacks of hay were set on fire. There were bones in them. Women too were raped," the young Congress leader had said.

But yesterday, Congress spokesperson Janardan Dwivedi said Rahul had been misquoted by the media. "Rahul had said that there was a 70-foot diameter mound of ashes. That's what he said. And I don't know how 70 became 74 and ashes became bodies. This is a very serious matter. What has been printed or broadcasted, we deny it 100 per cent. I've checked thoroughly, I suggest you do too," Dwivedi said.

He, however, added that the party has called for a thorough investigation into the incidents. The startling claims were backed with pictures which Rahul claimed were taken by farmers and journalists. But the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) questioned the authenticity of the photographs released by Rahul to back his charge.

The forensic probe results are still awaited. But a stung Chief Minister Mayawati has ruled out killing of agitators as a theory most preposterous. Meanwhile, unfazed by the attack on his claims, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday appeared to justify those remarks saying people there had complained to him about the atrocities they were subjected to.