'Question your sons' says Modi amid ongoing rape outrage in India

Around 100 sexual assaults are reported to police in India every day


News Desk April 19, 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE


In the wake of a spate of brutal rape cases in India their Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday weighed in on the pervasive issue of sexual violence saying that 'rape is rape" and "question your sons", according to CNN.

The comments come amid stinging criticism from India's former leader over Modi's alleged mishandling of the issue, following a string of particularly brutal rape cases which shocked the nation and triggered nationwide protests.

Modi, who is currently  visiting the UK, made the remarks during an address to selected members of the Indian-diaspora in London.

Around 100 sexual assaults are reported to police in India every day, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.

There were nearly 39,000 alleged attacks in 2016, an increase of 12% on the previous year.

"Any time a small girl is sexually assaulted, it is painful for all us," Modi said in London.

"But can we compare the number of rapes in different governments? We can't say there were this many rapes in our government and that many in yours. There cannot be a worse way to deal with this issue," he added.

Informed Pakistan about ‘surgical strikes’ before telling Indian public, claims Modi

Fallout from recent cases, including two alleged unrelated attacks on girls aged 16 and eight, is threatening to overshadow Modi's visit to the UK.

On Wednesday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Downing Street and the British Parliament, waving placards reading "go home Modi" and "hang the rapists" as the premier prepared to meet his British counterpart Theresa May.

The article originally appeared on CNN

COMMENTS (1)

neat | 5 years ago | Reply Indians, esp hindus were always racist. Rape is a means to control the powerless; women, muslims, dalit etc
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ