Rahul Gandhi: Rapes are a political issue

Folk dancers perform during a road show by BJP president Amit Shah, ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections, on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

Countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said incidents of rape should not be politicised, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said rapes are a political issue and his party would continue to raise them.

Commenting on Modi questioning the Congress for politicising rapes by holding a candle light march, Gandhi said, "Excuse me, atrocities against women, rapes are political issues. It is absolutely a national issue."

"Are you telling me that if India's women are raped, politicians should not discuss it? It is an issue that is fundamental," he said during a press briefing and added that the Congress will keep on raising them. "The treatment of our women is absolutely an issue. Modi likes to discuss things like sea planes, which is a political issue, I guess... bullet trains."

"What are the issues in Karnataka? Helping the farmers - we have given Rs 8,000 crore to the farmers. How much money has the PM given to the farmers of India and that of Karnataka. I want to ask that question."