AIDWA condemns the statement made by the RSS Supremo Mohan Bhagwat, reported in some leading newspapers on 4.1.13 that rape is prevalent mainly in cities where Indians are deeply influenced by western values, and not by rural India. The reported comment that such crimes hardly occur in “bharat” - exposes a total disconnect with women’s experience across India, and the extent of sexual violence and assault being suffered by women in rural India.