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The remark that came against the backdrop of the Delhi gangrape incident was slammed by the Congress, CPI-M and women's bodies while the BJP and RSS defended it saying the comment should be taken in proper perspective.
Bhagwat claimed that the incidents of rape were the result of adoption of western culture in society as a whole and that erosion of traditional Indian values were more
pronounced in urban areas.
"Crimes against women happening in urban India are shameful. It is a dangerous trend. But such crimes won't happen in Bharat or the rural areas of the country. You go to villages and forests of the country and there will be no such incidents of gangrape or sex crimes," he said at a meeting in Silchar in Assam recently.
"Where 'Bharat' becomes 'India' with the influence of western culture, these type of incidents happen. The actual Indian values and culture should be established at every
stratum of society where women are treated as 'mother'," he added.
Demanding that the government take appropriate action to stop rape incidents, he said RSS will support any government initiative to change existing laws.
"Bhagwat neither understands India nor Bharat," CPI-M leader Brinda Karat said.
Karat said government statistics of atrocities on women and sexual assault showed that the maximum number of victims belong to the poor, dalit and tribal communities.
National Commission of Women(NCW) Chief Mamta Sharma said Bhagwat should stop differentiating in terms of geography.
"We are all Indians. We are all citizens of India...Go to grassroots level and see what is the condition of the women there," he said.
RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said the RSS chief's statement should be taken in proper perspective.
"He has condemned the heinous crime of assaulting women, rape against women and he said it is an utterly wrong thing and that people who indulge in such things must be punished," he added.
"All that he(Bhagwat) said is that in Indian tradition we have great respect for women and we should learn to uphold his tradition. If one goes away from this tradition it will result in rise of crime against women," Madhav said.
BJP said the statement should be seen in the proper context as 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 in New Delhi.
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 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 organisations like Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra, Vidya Bharti and other allied organisations which bear ample testimony to the same," Prasad said.
Slamming Bhagwat, Mamata Sharma said," He should go to the grassroot level and see what is the condition of the women there and then he should talk about cities."
AICC General Secretary Digvijaya Singh responded sharply to Bhagwat's comments, saying "this reflects RSS's mentality because there is no difference between India and Bharat."
Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said such statements are unfortunate and invoked Ramayana to put his point of view across. He said rape incidents occur in villages as well.
"Nobody has the right to draw 'Lakshman Rekha'...," he said.
Bhagwat's remark on rape has to be understood in entirety: BJP
Pushed on the backfoot by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comment that rapes happened in cities, BJP 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.
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 organisations 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.
Congress slams RSS chief's remarks
Congress today slammed RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat over his controversial comments that rape is mainly prevalent in urban India and does not happen in rural areas, asking the saffron outfit to get in sync with reality.
"He (Bhagwat) is very confused ...I think they all (RSS) have the same problem. I think it is better that they all contemplate and come out with more clarity in thought and action. That kind of dialogue is not relevant in real life,"
party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary said at the AICC briefing. Responding sharply to Bhagwat's comments, AICC General Secretary Digvijaya Singh said "this reflects RSS's mentality because there is no difference between India and Bharat."
Earlier Bhagwat said at a meeting in Silchar in Assam recently that "crimes against women happening in urban India are shameful.... But such crimes won't happen in Bharat or the rural areas of the country. You go to villages and forests of the country and there will be no such incidents of gangrape or sex crimes".
Bhagwat claimed that the incidents of rape were the result of adoption of western culture in society as a whole and that erosion of traditional Indian values was more pronounced in urban areas.
Chowdhary also came down heavily on Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijaywargiya over his remark that women must not cross the 'Lakshman rekha' to avoid unwanted consequences.
"Is he trying to say that Ram, Laxman, Hanuman all of them area weaker than Ravana? Is he going to define the Laxamnrekha for a modern progressive society? It is such regressive thinking that we strongly condemn. He is stuck in a time warp," Chowdhary said.
Taking it as yet another example of putting the onus of social accountability and responsibility only on women, she said
"we do not need Vijaywargiya's permission to go anywhere and also want to know whether his family members need his permission".
IS GODRA INCIDENT INDIA YA BHARATH BAKWAS YAAR
I do not know if Mr Bhagwat is correct when he says that rape is a feature of urban India and does not happen in rural areas. But if he is trying to make a point that village life is safer, I am inclined to agree with him. I have lived in village surroundings in India for nearly a decade in the 1990's, and know that life there was simple and based on common sense. However rather than attribute the safety in villages to the lack of Western influence, I would say it is most likely due to a smaller population, accountability and the wisdom of the elders. In my interactions I have observed them to be wise despite their lack of formal education, tolerant despite not being exposed to the wider world, and very pragmatic. If there are no rapes or assaults on innocent people in these surroundings, I would say it is because criminals know that they will face swift punishment. No arguments or legal loopholes will let them off the hook.
Women are given a very high respectful place in Indian culture Prevent politicians who create controversy or indulged in vague discussion. They endlessly discuss only sleep and do nothing.
RSS is is some way right. i do not say it 100 correct but in villages although men appear to be rough in dealing with women,they respect them a lot in other aspects which is lacking so called educated city people(as always except some who respect genuinely). rest all fake their character in front of others.
In Rural India there is a system of PANCHAYATS and justice is instantly delivered.RAPES RARELY HAPPEN IN VILLAGES.It is in urban areas due to nudity,vulgarity and copying of WEST a la free sex.
Is this RSS mentality to divide our nation into India and Bharat? Mohan seems to be talking in an arrogant manner by claiming two countries in our one solid united country. Moreover, when he wants to make comparison of rural and urban, he should have statistics and figures to prove his claim. He talks baseless. Perhaps he is living in an ancient time and doesn't want to come out of his orthodox perception as his capacity to comprehend present issues is limited.
Mohan Bhagwat has rightly said. I belong to a rural area. Now I am 33 years old. in my these long years I have never heard any case of rape. not even a single incident has taken place in last 30 years in my village. Now I am in Mumbai since last 10 years. I am hearing rape news every now and then. I don't think there is anything wrong in his statement. his statement is being politicised. It's unfortunate. And I don't think he has degraded woman. He mentioned western culture for both the sexes. Why they are painting his statement against the women.
SATI was practiced in Bharat only
What is derogatory comments here I don't understand, But I do Understand , Rural Women is also not safe these days, may be Baghat wanted to comment on Moral failure in City Citizens. Looks like Media now want one more issue , Cheap Media
He made no derogatory comments against women. Those who criricise Bhaghat should first study what he prescribed, ie ancient Indian values.
Top man of largest cadre based party making such untimely,irrelevant and inconsistent comments is a matter GREAT DISMAY
People fail to understand the difference of having sex with consent or without consent??? That is the crux of the problem!!! Isn't it?? Whether it happens in Bharat, India or wherever...doesn't matter. Men & Women are equal in every terms & if Salman Khan can be adored shirtless why not our female actors. Till this happens our mind is not free from the bias....
Those who say that no rapes take place in Bharat are A Class lairs or morons with their heads in the sand. Maximum rapes take place in all those villages where poor women have to go for their daily routine and get pounced by crooks. Women from 2years to 80 years get raped, in their homes as also in the farms. So Bhagwat should stop bragging. It is a great irony that the victim is being blamed for the shameless and criminal conduct by certain men. Men like Bhagwat would like women to remain as private property of their parents and husbands and be totally sub-servient. Yes, many males would prefer such a scenario that women should remain down and out, so that they can continue indulge in such behaviour.
How is it derogatory against women? some radical feminists who shout that it is the right of a female to wear skimpy clothes, go out in the mid night at her will with those clothes and also support nudity in the movies and other media , have basically the same mindset as those of the male rapists , who think that it is also their birth right to have sex and rape with whoever possible and whenever they want. I dont know what these westernised females of india learnt from Hindu Goddesses when they demand respect from the society citing their examples? In fact the problem here is that, both of these mentally sick people only remember their rights , not duties and responsibilities. It is necessary now to check the growing trend of displaying and seeing women as "sex object" through the spread of nudity and vulgarity in our society.
"yatra naaryantu pujyanthe tatre ramante Devatah" i.e Where women are adored there dwells noble men. says the Manu. Now Manu is most hated term amidst our English knowing men. He is obscurantist, and anti-women, assert these secular leaders. Mohanji Bhagavat is correct when he says that rape is more an urban phenomenon than being rural. True rapes occurs even in rural areas but they are not common. Further, the men generally respect women than the urban youth. This is because, the prevailing atmosphere of licentiousness in urban areas which are highly influenced by our films which show scantily clad women with provocative talks and manners. The panacea for the evil is to emphasise on Asharma system, where for the first 25 years the boys and girls are segregated and given best education based on ethics and morality. For those who are interested to know more on this are advised to read the Satyarth Prakash written by Swami Dayanand.
Is he not aware that in villages rape is more prevalent in within family as well as of dalits & poors by landlords etc. Instead I am knowing less such reports from english educated graduates especially convent educated.
The title is misleading. He made no derogatory comments against women. Those who criricise Bhaghat should first study what he prescribed, ie ancient Indian values. Vedas teaches us to follow Ashrama order where everyone should live Brahmacharya life for the first 25 years. During this period they should acquire knowledge, mental and physical strenght. Look, if every male is following this doctrine, they will be more immune to lustful and sensual disturbances. They acquie self control enough to avoid these kind of atrocities. I agree with RSS chief. The solution is within us. Go back to Bharata.
He may be correct for bharat before 2000BC. not of bharat which exist today in villages & today.
Please enlighten me what is derogatory in the above speech?
Shrimaan Bhagwat, Does the Sati on husband's pyre,Devdasi and head shaved widows are the product of Bharat or India?
Leaders destroy the followers and followers destroy the leaders. "Jidu Krishnamurti"
This is obscene. Where is the derogatory part of his comment? He said these crimes are happening frequently in urban areas and very infrequently in rural areas. If that observation is wrong, then correct him with some data. But to call this derogatory on women is just disgusting. At best you can say he is blaming western values. Shame on you Indian Express!
There is nothing derogatory against women here In Mr Bhagwat's comments. Mr Bhagwat is attacking western culture here & blaming it for the rising crimes against women. IE should express it's views through editorials & shall not post such headlines which give wrong impressions before even the content is read out.
Rapes happen in cities/urban areas, according to Mr. Bhagath - the self imposed Trustee of Culture and civilization. If that is the case, what term you could use for rapes not reported by crazy electronic media, happening in in large numbers in rural and semi-urban areas. If Delhi is not part of 'BHARATH', because it is urban 'uncultured, modern/western cultured', why are you supporting and promoting BJP to be at the helm of affairs in Delhi? What a perverted way of expressing views on a 'National Shame'.
Hey do not hang on to words and twist. It is an opinion not a derogatory statement. Although I do not support the view. Rape happens everywhere whether you follow Indian tradition or western. Poor RSS think tank ! It has to say something connecting to Praacheena Hindutwa -- Indianness ..but that is bharateeyata ! ..Guys shut up your mouth ..and sit idle if you can not stop the rapes.. that includes the media.
Mr.Bhagwat has no idea about this country. Just look at the statistics of SC women being raped in the last several years. There is no western culture there. Mr. Bhagawat should be removed from RSS as he does not understand even his country India.
