Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's remark in the assembly today that only one gangrape in the city in December last year had prompted her government to launch the 181 helpline drew sharp criticism with BJP saying it reflected her "insensitivity" towards women.
In course of a statement in the assembly on performance of her government in the last five years, Dikshit said her administration lost no time in setting up the helpline for women in distress following "one rape case" in the city.
In the context, the Chief Minister also made reference of Madhya Pradesh, which is ruled by BJP, saying the state has earned the tag of "rape capital" of the country.
"One rape case had taken place in Delhi and it is now acknowledged that Madhya Pradesh is the rape capital of the country. We had one rape case and a helpline called 181 was established immediately within a week so that all women who feel insecure can contact us and police for help. It is only one of its kind in India," Dikshit said.
As per official figures, 810 cases of rape were reported in Delhi from December 16 last year, when the brutal sexual assault of a paramedical student shook the country, till June this year. A total of 706 cases of rape were reported in Delhi in 2012.
Strongly reacting to Dikshit's remark, Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel challenged her to an open debate on the issue of law and order in Delhi and claimed that there has been a 600 per cent rise in crime against women in the city in the last seven months.
"Delhi is the rape capital of the country. The Chief Minister herself said that her daughter is not safe in Delhi. Every two hours one case of molestation or rape is reported in Delhi.
""Then how can the Chief Minister say that only one rape had taken place," Goel said.
He also came down heavily on the Chief Minister for referring to Madhaya Pradesh while talking about rape cases, saying there should not be any comparison on such a sensitive issue.
"I am challenging her for an open debate on the issue. Her comment that only one rape had prompted her government to set up the helpline is very insensitive," he said.
Leader of Opposition V K Malhotra termed Dikshit's comments as "pack of lies" and lambasted her for making "such irresponsible" remarks.
"Her comments are most objectionable. They are a pack of lies. How can she say only one rape had taken place in Delhi when so many such cases have been reported everyday. Has she forgotten the rape of a five year old in April," Malhotra said.
The BJP legislators were not present in the House when Dikshit made the comment as they were suspended for creating ruckus while protesting Speaker Yoganand Shastri's decision to allow Dikshit to make a suo motu statement on last day of the fourth assembly.
