New Delhi, December 13: A row has erupted over Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "rape in India" remark in Lok Sabha. Union Minister Smriti Irani said "this is the first time in history that a leader is giving a clarion call that Indian women should be raped. Is this Rahul Gandhi’s message to the people of the country? He should be punished." The former Congress President, however, refused to apologise. Rahul Gandhi Attacks Narendra Modi Over Crimes Against Women, Says PM Launched ‘Make in India’ but Now Its Is ‘Rape in India’.

Reacting to the criticism, Rahul Gandhi said that he a clip of PM Narendra Modi in which he called Delhi a "Rape capital". "I have a clip-on my phone in which Narendra Modi Ji is calling Delhi a 'rape capital', will tweet it so that everyone can see. Just to deflect attention from protests in North East, this is being made an issue by BJP," he said.

Rahul Gandhi's Tweet:

The Lok Sabha was adjourned Sine Die amid heavy protests. In the Rajya Sabha too, members shouted slogans of ‘Rahul Gandhi maafi maango’ against remark which the Gandhi scion made during an election rally in Jharkhand. Rahul Gandhi Reiterates 'Rape Capital' Remark, Targets PM Narendra Modi For His 'Silence'.

ANI Tweet:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh demanded cancellation of Rahul Gandhi's Parliament membership. "Such people should not be part of the House. People who make such remarks have no moral right to be a member of this House," he said.

ANI Tweet:

DMK's Kanimozhi, however, defended Gandhi questioning Narendra Modi government over rising crime against women. "We respect the PM's Make in India initiative. We want the economy to grow. But what is happening in the country? That is what Rahul Gandhi intended to say. Unfortunately, Make in India is not happening and women in the country are being raped. This is a concern," Kanimozhi said.

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said, "Narendra Modi had said 'Make in India' but nowadays wherever you look, it is 'Rape in India'. In Uttar Pradesh Narendra Modi's MLA raped a woman, then she met with an accident but Narendra Modi did not utter a word."

ANI Tweet:

"Narendra Modi says 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' but he never told from whom should daughters be saved. They should be saved from BJP's MLA," he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 13, 2019 12:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).