Rape of grown-up girls may be "understandable" but assault on infants heinous: BJP MP

RAIPUR/NEW DELHI: A BJP MP from Chattisgarh landed himself in a controversy over his remark that the rape of grown-up girls and women might be understandable but a sexual assault on an infant is a heinous crime.

Political parties slammed Ramesh Bais for his remark with the BJP saying the age of the victim is of no importance while the Congress condemned it as unfortunate.

Bais said those who commit heinous crime like rape of a minor should be hanged.

"Barabari ya bade logo ke sath balatkar samajh me ata hai, lekin nabalig bachhiyo ke sath is tarah ka jaghanya apradh karma. Inko to fasi par latka dena chahiye. (The rape of grown-up girls and women might be understandable but if someone does this to an infant, it is a heinous crime and the offenders should be hanged), Bais told reporters in Raipur.

Bais made the remarks yesterday while referring to the rape case involving minor inmates of a government-run residential school in Kanker district of Chattisgarh.

"Rape is a very reprehensible offence. It is a sin, it is a crime. And the age of the victim is of no importance. Any woman, any child and even any aged lady needs to be treated with respect and dignity," BJP leader Balbir Punj said in New Delhi.

AICC spokesperson Rashid Alvi while condemning Bais' remark said it was unfortunate that disrespect is being shown to women by some leaders. "Leaders should be careful when they make such comments," he said.

In Raipur, Congress spokesman Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said "assault on anyone is a heinous crime. The statement (of Bais) is objectionable and we condemn this".

The incident of sexual assault on minor inmates of the government-run residential school for tribal girls in Jhaliyamari village of Kanker district came to light last Sunday.

So far six people, including two teachers, have been arrested in connection with the crime.

According to police, the medical examination has confirmed rape on nine inmates out of 40 who are living in a hostel.