Rapes happen in India, not Bharat: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on rapes have kicked up a controversy.u00a0

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On Tuesday, while addressing u00a0a citizens' meet during his four-day visit to Silchar, he had criticised lifestyle of people in urban areas and said that rape is prevalent mainly in cities where Indians are deeply influenced by western values and not in rural India (Bharat).u00a0

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"You go to villages and forests of the country and there will be no such incidents of gangrape or sex crimes. They are prevalent in some urban belts. Besides new legislations, Indian ethos and attitude towards women should be revisited in the context of ancient Indian values," he added.

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However, he added that he wanted stringent laws in sexual crimes against women and will favour capital punishment for those convicted of rape.

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RSS defends statements

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In defence of these bizarre statements made by their chief, RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav today said, "We have great respect for women."

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"The statement of RSS chief should be taken in proper perspective. He (Bhagwat) has already demanded strict punishment for rapists and even called for death penalty if required," Madhav said.

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"All that he said is that in Indian tradition we have great respect for women and we should learn to uphold this tradition. If one goes away from this tradition it will result in rise of crime against women," he added.

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