New Delhi: CPI(M) on Friday slammed as "utter hypocrisy" the statement by a Haryana Congress leader that 90 per cent rapes in the state were "consensual" and said the party has given licence to its leaders to "defend the indefensible".
Party leader Brinda Karat also condemned statements by ruling and opposition parties in Haryana condoning the views of khap panchayat that girls should be married off at 16 years.
"It shows utter hypocrisy of the Congress and the Haryana government. On one hand Congress President Sonia Gandhi visits the home of a Dalit girl to express solidarity, while on the other hand party has given license to leaders to defend the indefensible act on young women in Haryana," she said.
She was responding to comments by Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) member and Congress Hisar district spokesman Dharambir Goyat that "90 per cent of rape cases are (a case of) consensual sex between the girl and boy."
Goyat, however, later retracted his comments after his statement led to a public outcry.
PTI
