Kathua Rape Finds An Unlikely Voice, IMF Chief Christine Lagarde Chides PM Modi

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde is the latest voice to join in on the chorus condemning India’s deplorable situation when it comes to women security.

Describing the latest incident of the outrageous rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in India as "revolting", IMF chief Christine Lagarde said she hoped that the Indian authorities starting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would pay more attention to it. "I would hope that the Indian authorities, starting with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, pay more attention, because it is needed for the women of India," a visibly angry Lagarde said.

Her comments unusual for the position she holds, comes in the backdrop of a national and international horror over the rape cases in Jammu & Kashmir's Kathua and Uttar Pradesh's Unnao. Speaking as the International Monetary Fund opens its Spring meetings, she said she had chided Prime Minister Modi earlier this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos because "he had not mentioned the women of India enough." "It's not just a question of talking about them,” she added.

She quickly clarified that this was her personal position and not that of the IMF. "By the way this is not an IMF official position. It is my personal position," PTI quoted Lagarde as saying. Lagarde made these statements during an interaction with reporters at the start of the spring meeting of the international finance organisations.

The IMF Chief’s remarks come even as the Indian prime minister is in UK during which he was greeted with protests in London.

PM Modi did address the incidents and protests in India at a town-hall meeting that he participated in at Central Hall in Westminster. Modi promised “justice to India’s daughters,” but added the caveat that such incidents should not be politicised as a rape is a rape.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 20, 2018 08:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).