Small rapes and assaults get more coverage than corruption: Kiran Bedi

NEW DELHI: Kiran Bedi has sparked off angry reactions by her comments that "small rapes" and "assaults" get more television coverage than corruption by 15 ministers that the erstwhile Team Anna was trying to highlight. "I have read the files relating to 15 ministers who have charges of corruption against them, but the media never discussed any charges against even one of the alleged ministers. Look at the extent of discussions you have when a police officer or a government official commits a small rape or assault, but none of the media people discussed the corruption charges against any one of the 15 ministers," Bedi said at the Ramlila Maidan.

Bedi was sharing the dais with yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday at the Ramlila Maidan.

As her remarks created a controversy, she tweeted that "deliberate wrong news" was being circulated to distract people from knowing what she said. "I never said rape is small crime. I said when small ranked person commits rape crime he is hung while big ones go scotfree. It was about comparative punishment. Small officer (not small rape) involved in rape is hung while big ones go scotfree!" Kiran Bedi said.

While addressing the gathering at the agitation site, she said they have to "raise a united front against corruption" and "form a coalition against corrupt". "Without being alert, without understanding or reviewing government policy, we will always be deceived," Bedi said.