Need a re-look into women`s rights in the country: Priyanka Chopra

New Delhi: Sharing the nation`s outrage over the gang-rape case in Delhi, actress Priyanka Chopra favoured a re-look into women`s rights in the country while rejecting criticism that Bollywood only pays lip service to such causes.

"What happened is a heinous crime. I call for stringent punishment for the accused, but I also want the protests to be peaceful. The youth has come together for the first time. I want a re-look at women`s rights in this country," she said. "We live in a male-dominated society, but the attitude towards girls should change. They should be valued as much as boys," Priyanka added. The 30-year-old actress said that it is not fair to take aim at film personalities for championing causes in spirit only. She feels Bollywood stars are equally committed to the causes even though they are not often present in the heart of things. "Why is Bollywood targeted always for not being there? We have our work commitments due to which we might not be at the venue of protests, but that doesn`t mean we are not committed to the issue. We have also been debating about it. "I don`t understand why Bollywood is questioned just because it is famous," said Priyanka, who was in the Capital today to launch UNICEF`s dare to care campaign along with cricketer Irfan Pathan. Pathan, who was representing IPL team Delhi Daredevils at the event, said, "My sympathy goes to the victim and I hope and pray she overcomes this battle. This incident is an inhuman act and a real shame. It`s gruesome and I would like to see that such incidents never happen again, ever." Talking about the demand for capital punishment for the accused, he added, "Strict punishment should be meted out to them. The government should ensure that swift justice is meted out to the culprits." The UNICEF campaign launch coincided with the nationwide rage against the incident that has rocked the Capital. "It is a coincidence that this campaign is being launched at this time. The dare to care campaign is for adolescent girls who drop out of schools and do not complete their education," said Priyanka. PTI