What superpower? I will rather make a woman safe in a bus: Rahul

, Feb 26: Congress Vice-President

on Wednesday said he would rather make women travelling in a bus safe than have India being a superpower.

"Big statements are made about India being a superpower. What superpower? I will rather make a woman safe in a bus than (India) being a superpower," Gandhi said in an interaction with students at the Don Bosco University here. "Are you comfortable in a bus? Are you treated well on the streets when you walk?" he asked girl students.

"It is complete nonsense. There is no way this country can be a superpower if Kakoli (a student who asked him a question on respecting women) is feeling scared to go in a bus. How can we call ourselves a superpower if a young girl of this country is scared to go in a bus?" he asked.

"Fifty per cent of the country are women and if you are to ask any of them whether they feel comfortable in a bus, whether they can walk around comfortably, whether India treats them comfortably ... every single one will say no, they do not feel safe and are not represented in our political system," the Congress leader said.

"And I think boys should think about this. It is at the end of the day that boys who treat women badly. This is a message to them ... these women are 50 per cent of the country, these are mothers and sisters," Gandhi said. "Women go every day in a bus, go for an interview and are treated badly. When you go for an interview, I am sorry to say, but if you are a woman you can expect to be discriminated. You can also expect discrimination when you are working. Why don't we talk about that?" Gandhi asked.

PTI