Botsa Blames Delhi Gangrape Victim

In the midst of the national outrage over the brutal Delhi gangrape, Botsa Satyanarayana, the AP Congress Committee chief, has managed to embarrass the Congress, while also vindicating the common perception of the average regressive Indian male's psyche.

"Just because India achieved freedpm at midnight does not mean that women can venture out after dark. They should ensure that they do not board buses in which there are few passengers," said Botsa Satyanarayana.

He also went on to say that the victim should have thought twice before boarding the bus the night she was raped. In addition, Botsa also criticized the large outpouring of grief and fury at India Gate - he said the protests were unnecessary since Sonia Gandhi had responded to the protestors earlier.

It may be mentioned here that Botsa Satyanarayana is the state Transport Minister, who is responsible for the APSRTC bus fleet.

Although Botsa apologized later for his statements, what he said symbolizes two things that are very wrong with the Indian political system - the compulsive need for Congress leaders to come to the defence of their "high command", and apathy and insensitivity towards crimes against women.