SP’s Jaya Bachchan had to choke back her tears while speaking about the gangrape of a 23-year-old student on a Delhi bus, in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Earlier, Jaya kept standing in her place, demanding the suspension of the Question Hour to discuss the issue, till she was given a chance to speak.
“It is a shame. I don’t know what all to say. I’m shaken,” she said.
“So far, I thought we are living in a country where women are considered idols and worshiped. We worship Durga, saying she is the goddess of power. All these ideals have been spoiled because everyday, in cities of India, especially in Delhi, such incidents occur”.
Jaya urged the government to amend Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code and make rape a crime at par with attempt to murder.
She had a bit of a verbal spat with P J Kurien, Deputy Chairman of the House, when he reminded her that the three minutes’ limit was over and that there were more speakers in line.
Later,Jaya was allowed more time, upon the request of the leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley.
“Sir, I’m basically an artist and I’m very very disturbed by it. What is going to happen to her? Everybody will forget but she will remember it for the rest of her life. It will be a scar. It’s a terrible mental torture. How are you going to repay for this?” she said, her voice breaking.
“Everyday, women are getting raped by their fathers, brothers, uncles and it’s a shame. We are bringing in Bills for certain sections of society which are deprived. What about women who bring you into this world? I personally feel very, very ashamed that I am sitting in this House and not being able to do anything and I am equally disturbed by the answers that keep coming to this House which are totally incorrect,” she said.