As many as 1,278 cases of rape and murder of women were registered across the 28 states between 2017 and 2021, with Uttar Pradesh topping the list with a maximum of 218 cases, followed by Assam (191), Madhya Pradesh (166) and Maharashtra (133).

These four states are or have been helmed by the BJP during this period. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention any of these states when he referred to Opposition-ruled states while condemning the parading of disrobed women and the sexual assault on them in Manipur where his party is in power.

Thirty-nine cases of rape and murder were registered in Rajasthan during the same period while Chhattisgarh and Bengal reported 32 and 30 such cases, respectively.

These statistics were tabled before the Lok Sabha by the Union home ministry on Tuesday.

Junior home minister Ajay Kumar Mishra presented the data while replying to a question on whether cases of atrocities against women, particularly rape and murder, had increased in the country.

The Opposition has hit out at the government for comparing violence against women in Bengal and Rajasthan with the attacks in Manipur and the belated government response since May 3 in which at least 152 people have been killed.

Union minister Anurag Thakur had earlier alleged that there was a long list of heinous crimes against women in states ruled by Opposition parties, such as Rajasthan and Bengal, but the BJP's rivals were playing politics over the May 4 Manipur incident.

Replying to another question, junior home minister Mishra tabled a report on the overall crimes against women during 2017 and 2021.

In 2017, Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 56,011 cases of crimes against women, followed by Maharashtra (31,979), Bengal (30,992), Madhya Pradesh (29,788), Rajasthan (25,993) and Assam (23,082). In Chhattisgarh, 7,996 cases were reported that year.

In 2018, Uttar Pradesh reported 59,445 cases of crimes against women, followed by Maharashtra (35,497), Bengal (30,394), Rajasthan (27,866) and Assam (27,687). Chhattisgarh reported 8,587 cases.

In 2019, Uttar Pradesh registered 59,853 such cases, followed by Rajasthan (41,550), Maharashtra (37,144 ), Bengal (29,859) and Assam (30,025). Chhattisgarh reported 7,689 cases.

In 2020, Uttar Pradesh reported 49,385 cases, followed by Bengal (36,439), Rajasthan (34,535), Maharashtra (31,954) and Assam (26,352). Chhattisgarh registered 7,385 cases.

In 2021, Uttar Pradesh registered 56,083 cases, followed by Rajasthan (40,738), Maharashtra (39,526), Bengal (35,884), Odisha (31,352) and Assam (29,046). Chhattisgarh reported 7,344 cases.