The horrific incident of two women being paraded naked and allegedly gang-raped in Manipur sent shock waves across the country. The incident has also prompted extreme political reactions from all quarters as well. Two similar incidents from Bengal have been brought to light by the BJP. In Bengal's Malda, where two tribal women were allegedly stripped naked and paraded and a similar incident of assault on a woman, reportedly a BJP candidate, in Howrah has also surfaced, where the BJP alleges the woman was stripped and physically assaulted. While these alleged crimes must be condemned with equal vigour, these incidents should not divert attention from the horror of Manipur and fixing accountability there. On Left, Right and Centre tonight, we ask, "Can we expect more humane and reasoned responses to rape from our leaders? Why politicise rape?
