NEW DELHI: Advocating criminalisation of marital rape, National Commission for Women (NCW) member Rekha Sharma said that rape must be recognised as a crime whether by husband or a stranger. Sharma was reacting to the government response in Parliament that marital rape was unsuited in the Indian context.
"In the name of religious beliefs we can't let women suffer cruelty by their husbands. We made laws against animal sacrifices too. A rape is a rape whether done by husband or outsider and punishment must be same. If people are not educated, they will once law gets made,'' Sharma tweeted on Friday.
Sharma's comments are in sharp contrast to the government stand. Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi had told Rajya Sabha on Thursday that rape within marriage could not be suitably applied in the Indian context.
Speaking to Media , Rekha Sharma said a law would help tackle the problem as Indians appeared to understand law better. "Some people who have problem with cleanliness in India, follow rules when they are abroad. Marital rape is recognized the world over and there are laws against it.
Why is our country any different?'' she asked. Asked if she was planning to move a proposal to the ministry recommending criminalising of marital rape, Sharma said, "I will give my opinion if the ministry asks for it but I want to raise these issue in public so we discuss it and bring it in the open.''
