Concern in RS over Mumbai photojournalist gangrape

The brutal and shocking gangrape of a 23-year-old photojournalist in Mumbai had its echo in Rajya Sabha today with agitated members expressing serious concern over increasing atrocities on women and the government assuring "harshest" action against the culprits.

Members from Congress and BJP sparred over the issue for about ten minutes as the ruling party MPs alleged that maximum incidents of rape were occurring in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh and the Mumbai incident should not be politicised.

The comment saw members from opposition parties standing on their feet slamming Congress for linking the issue of rape to politics.

Amid uproar, Minister of State for Home RPN Singh said, "It is extremely unfortunate and tragic...We have asked the state government for a detailed report and have directed Maharashtra government to take immediate action in arresting the culprits and mete out the harshest punishment."

Earlier, raising the issue during Zero Hour Smriti Zubin Irani (BJP) asked what steps had been initiated to prevent recurrence of such incidents even after repeated assurances of improving law and order condition in the aftermath of Delhi gangrape.

"It is for the people that I speak today. I speak with angst. This is not an incident that has to be viewed in isolation. Every time such an incident occurs, representatives of government come out to give a sound byte to regret it but no action is taken. Till how long will we be quiet and mute spectator to rising crime against women," she rued.

She wanted to know what kind of security was at the mill when Mumbai Police was in know of illegal activities there.

She said barely four days back a female foreign visitor was attacked with blade in Mumbai while there was a case of acid attack in Bandra.