CPI(M) slams MoS Home over marital rape statement

CPI(M) today slammed Union Minister Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary over his statement on marital rape, saying his understanding of India and its values was "misplaced". In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home, Chaudhary said the concept of marital rape cannot be applied in India where marriage is considered a "sacrament". Describing the statement as "completely wrong", CPI (M) polit bureau member Brinda Karat said marriage certificate cannot be a license for forced sexual act with women. "Rape occurs when there is no consent of the woman for sexual act. So, it is rape when there is no consent from the woman. A marriage certificate does not change that. A marriage certificate can not become the license for forced sex. "Marriage is sacrosanct because its between two consenting adults. That has to be the concept of marriage," the leader said. Chaudhary's reply was to a written question of DMK MP Kanimozhi, who had asked the Home Ministry whether the government will bring a bill to amend the IPC to remove the exception of marital rape from the definition of rape. Slamming Chaudhary, Karat said, "The minister's understanding of India and what are Indian values is completely misplaced. "It was the Justice Verma Commisison which strongly recommended a law for this. So, the answer of the Government... Is completely wrong. His (Chaudhary) understanding itself is flawed," she added.