It has been 18 days since a minor Dalit girl was allegedly raped in Banda by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) PN Dwivedi. Ironically, the victim is still languishing in jail on charges of theft slapped on her by this very MLA. The Mayawati Government may have been quick to suspend the MLA to save face of the party but have done nothing to help the girl. It has taken 18 long days for the court to finally record her statement today.