'As long as world exists, so will rape,' says Trinamool Congress MLA Dipak Haldar

Kolkata: After Tapas Pal, another Trinamul leader has sparked a controversy by his remark that as “long as the world exists, rape will be there,” inviting strong condemnation from the opposition and women rights groups.

“Rapes were committed earlier, rapes are being committed now. As long as the world exists, rape will be there,” TMC MLA Dipak Haldar said at a meeting at Diamond Harbour in neighbouring South 24 Paraganas district on Wednesday. Mr Haldar described rape as a “social disease” and said, “We do not support rape. It is not possible for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alone to solve this problem”.

TMC MP Tapas Pal had earlier threatened to kill opposition CPM workers and have their women raped if a single ruling party worker was attacked. The comment triggered an outrage forcing him to tender an apology. Reacting to Mr Haldar’s remark, Congress leader Manish Tewari said it was “extremely unfortunate.”