The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday defended Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark that ''rapes occur frequently in India not in Bharat'', saying the present controversy is totally uncalled for and unnecessary.
BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav has already clarified Bhagwat's remark.
"The present controversy relating to certain comments of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwatji is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. Ram Madhav on behalf of the RSS has already explained it. The comment of Bhagwatji is required to be seen and understood in its entirety. He was referring to India's
sanskar, tradition and value system where respect for women occupies a pride of place. At the same time, he also demanded that strong punishment be given to those who are offenders in relation to crime against women, laws be strengthened including giving capital punishment," said Prasad.
"Women empowerment, women respect and women security forms the core of the ideology of the RSS. The extraordinary work and achievement made in various RSS related organisations like Rashtriya Sevika Samiti, Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra, Vidya Bharati and other allied organisations bares ample testimony to the same," he added.
Prasad further lashed out at Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh for targetting the RSS chief over his remark. The RSS is the ideological mentor of the BJP.
"There is a very outspoken spokesperson of the Congress, who is not the authorised spokesperson of the Congress as we are told, Digvijaya Singh. Digvijay Singh first look within," said Prasad.
Commenting on Bhagwat's remark, Digvijaya Singh earlier in the day said that it shows the ideology of the Sangh. "Women cannot become members of the RSS. There is no difference between India and Bharat," he added.
Prasad, who is the deputy leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, also used the occasion to take potshots at the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre and the Sheila Dikshit-led
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