Kiran Bedi in trouble for 'small rape' remark: NCW to issue notice today

Aug 13, 2012, 11:11AM



New Delhi: Anti-corruption activist and former top cop Kiran Bedi triggered controversy after her alleged 'small rape' remarks in the context of the media coverage for such crimes.
Women activists have demanded an apology from Bedi for talking about "small rape" cases on a public stage. They have accused her of extreme insensitivity and say she shows a "feudal mentality." Bedi denies she said that rape is a small crime.
The remarks were made when the former IPS officer accused media of ignoring corruption allegations against UPA ministers and not giving coverage despite erstwhile Team Anna giving evidence regarding it.
 
"Ask yourself. On a small rape case or assault which a low ranking police official commits, how you would discuss it. But against 15 ministers, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal had given the evidence but nobody from among you media hold any debate or discussion over the issue. Tell me, why you haven't done that? Do you fear them?" she had asked.
 
Bedi used yoga guru Baba Ramdev's protest venue at Ramlila Maidan to raise her team's agenda on Sunday.  The National Commission for Women has isolated the remark on rapes and said it was "distressing".
NCW member Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar said the Commission will issue a notice to Bedi today after taking suo motu cognisance of the remark.
 
"Ms Bedi is a woman and a former police officer. Sheshould have shown extreme sensitivity while talking about a serious crime like rape. There is nothing like a 'small rape'. A rape is a rape and should be viewed as a crime against humanity," Prabhavalkar said in a statement in Mumbai.
 
"It is distressing that Bedi showed utter lack of sensitivity on a serious issue. It shows her feudal mentality. I demand an immediate apology from her," Ms Prabhavalkar said, adding "the NCW has decided to take a suo motu cognisance of Bedi's statement. It will issue a notice to her on Monday."
 
After her remarks created a furore, Bedi 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!" she said.
(With PTI inputs)

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