Pushed on the backfoot by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comment that rapes happens in cities, BJP on Friday put up a brave defence saying the statement should be seen in the proper context and he was referring to India's culture, tradition and value system.
"The present controversy relating to certain comments of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. His comments are required to be seen and understood in entirety. He was referring to India's sanskar, tradition and value system where respect for women occupies a pride of place," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Bhagwat had courted controversy when he said in Silchar on Thursday that "crimes against women happen in India and not in Bharat". He maintained that women living in cities follow a western lifestyle which leads to crimes against them.
Backing Bhagwat, Prasad said the RSS chief had also underlined the need for meting out stringent sentences to the guilty.
"At the same time, he also demanded that strong punishment should be given to those who are offenders in relation to crimes against women and that laws should be strengthened to even give capital punishment," Prasad said.
BJP maintained that empowerment of women, and giving them respect and security form the core of RSS ideology.
"There is extraordinary work and achievement made in various RSS-related organizations like Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra, Vidya Bharti and other allied organisations which bear ample testimony to the same," Prasad said.
RSS leader Ram Madhav had defended Bhagwat on the same lines and said it should be seen in the proper perspective.
Comments(5)
I am sorry but leading a western lifestyle is not a reason for crimes against women. Western lifestyle gives woman equality to men and women living in the western world have more self respect than women living in India. It is the disrespect of the Indian male for the Indian female that leads to these type of crimes. In a country where educated people abort female foetuses how can you expect respect for women. Indian culture has a long way to go before women will get the respect that they deserve..........Shoba
Posted by schopra@consultant.com at 01/04/2013 22:47 Reply to this Report abuse
Respect in western societies is non existent. The relationships are driven by need. You are on your own both financially and emotionally when you are not needed. Come to a western country and see for yourself how many single older women are living on their own on Govt. money? What respect are you talking about? Time for Indian women to open their eyes to cultural shifts.
Posted by Rajesh at 01/04/2013 23:36 Reply to this Report abuse
It is the responsibility of the orator to make sure they say what they say in the right context. No matter what life style we choose to lead, there is no justification for violence.
Posted by Human at 01/04/2013 22:57 Reply to this Report abuse
The few of INDIA, 10% or 15% (including the rich & powerful & politicians), under the influence of western culture, values & mainly MONEY, both good & bad, wants to change the broader population of remaining 85% or 90% of BHARAT is the underlying issue. Also the few of INDIA, due to getting influenced by western culture, values & mainly MONEY, pushing the broader 85%, without MONEY, to extreme situations here. So whether all the 100% need to follow India's sanskar, tradition and value system or wash it off totally is something to think over. Remember 2 or 3 decades ago, we were mainly admired by foreigners for the India's sanskar, tradition and value system which the majority followed, out of which great scientists, mathematicians, scholars, teachers, doctors all came out of. What I mentioned above needs to be thought over since everyone knows the quality of life and people in today's world we get in India, including doctors and engineers, who have turned nothing but greedy.
Posted by vbs at 01/04/2013 23:19 Reply to this Report abuse
This is totally uncalled for. India is India. These people's set has t change. These are cheap stunts. To-day's world belongs to the younger generation. Why is it the sole called guardians make unnecessary statement and always get away. A rape is rape. Why do some people make a twist?
Posted by saravannamuthu p at 01/05/2013 08:04 Reply to this Report abuse