New Delhi:
Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) on Friday expressed shock at trivialisation of rape and demanded a strong code of conduct for political representatives.
"As an organisation comprising women journalists where professional requirements demand interacting with political representatives, such statements do not inspire confidence," said a statement from IWPC.
The reaction comes after Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Paul stirred up a controversy when he was caught on a video threatening to gun down his Marxist rivals and "unleash his boys for raping" their women.
"More so, when violence against women and children has reached disproportionate and alarming proportions in the general population, these statements are very alarming and should be dealt with utmost seriousness by all concerned," added the statement.
IWPC has also urged political parties and their representatives to show more sensitivity to these issues and desist from making statements that legitimise violence against women in general.
IWPC is a women's media organisation with over 600 members from print, broadcast and new media.