Dec 16 gangrape a matter of shame: Arun Jaitley

New Delhi, Dec 16: Terming the December 16 Delhi gang-rape case as a matter of shame, Leader of the Opposition

on Monday said the protests against it was a silver lining because there was a guilt within the society that led to such large scale protests against the incident.

"We failed the test of civility and because we failed that test of civility, the guilt of the society was large in out attitudes. And that's why such a protest took place. The fact that the incident happened was a matter of shame but the protests did happen and it was a silver lining," said the senior BJP leader.

Jaitley was speaking at an event Honour Our Women (HOW), organised by BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur in the backdrop of the first death anniversary of Delhi gang rape incident. He said stricter laws can act as a deterrent.

Jailtey: We failed the test of civility

Noting that stricter laws should be made, BJD MP Baijayant Panda, who was also a co-panelist, said there should be more emphasis on implementation of laws. "This applies to crime against women and also other crimes. Implementation of laws requires certain committment from politicians, administration, the media and from the public. That committment requires some difficult steps.

"This is also about mindset and if we implement laws in a better way, then there will be a better mindset for law among the people," Panda said.

Citing the example of having fast-track courts across the country, Panda said the decision to have such courts was not implemented properly due to various reasons and it was only after the Delhi gang-rape incident that there were some renewed efforts.

He said speedy justice will help restore the faith of people in the system. "We cannot afford to change the mindset of the society if there is an underlying belief that nothing is going to happen, change or there will be no consequences. That mindset can change if there is assured justice for any violation."

PTI