Indians took to the streets last year to vent their anger over the brutal and fatal gang rape of a young woman.
24,000 rapes are reported in India each year and the public had had enough.
So when the country's chief criminal investigator, this week, said 'if you can't prevent rape, enjoy it'…
CHIEF OF INDIA'S FEDERAL POLICE, THE CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (CBI), RANJIT SINHA, SAYING:
"If you can't prevent rape, you enjoy it."
…civil rights campaigners and opposition politicians stood up…
…and Ranjit Sinha apologized.
CHIEF OF INDIA'S FEDERAL POLICE, THE CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (CBI), RANJIT SINHA, SAYING:
"I regret any hurt caused as the same was inadvertent and unintended. I reiterate my deep sense of regard and respect for women and commitment to gender issues. Thank you."
Sinha made the unfortunate comment in the context of a debate over legalized gambling.
If you can't police illegal gambling, he seemed to want to say, then better to make it legal and enjoy its revenues.
India's Information Minister Manish Tiwari:
INDIA'S INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING MINISTER, MANISH TIWARI, SAYING:
"All of us need to be extremely careful in articulating our position with regard to the rights of women because, not only in Indian culture but in our entire social ethos, women have a very, very special place."
Activists say the numbers of rape are much higher than official figures suggest.
And last year's brutal attack led to tougher rape laws in India that in some cases now include the death penalty.
