Uttar Pradesh is the only state where politicians protect rapists: Uma Bharti

New Delhi/Kochi: Water Resources minister Uma Bharti on Thursday attacked Yadavs of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh over rise in cases of rape and brutal assault on women being reported in the state.

Bharti promised that the issues will be discussed in the Parliament.

"They are saying that media is focusing on UP, but this is the only state where politicians and the government protect rapists," said Bharti, referring to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's argument that UP is being singled out.

Bharti added, “The state has become insensitive towards crime against women.”

Simultaneously, in an effort to draw attention to the recent rape cases in UP, five women activists here staged a protest in front of the Kerala High Court with just sheets wrapped around them.

The activists, members of 'Stree Kootaima' (women's group) were part of a 30-member group which had staged a protest in front of the High Court on Wednesday against the rape cases in UP including the gangrape of two dalit sisters in Badaun district.

Police said the five women were taken into custody and later released on bail for causing public nuisance and for their obscene act.

Cases under various sections of IPC including 143/147 (unlawful assembly, punishment for rioting), 283 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation), 294 (a) (obscene acts) and 118 (a) of Kerala Special Police Act were slapped against the five women.