Anti-Rape Bill Introduced In Lok Sabha, 18 Retained As Age Of Consent

New Delhi: The anti-rape bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by home minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Faced with all-around political opposition, the cabinet retained 18 as age of consent for consensual sex, graded punishment for stalking and voyeurism and deleted "persistent watching" as an offence while clearing a new law to protect women.

The changes were agreed to after a meeting where political leaders raised concerns ranging from genuine apprehensions to frivolous over the possibility of "misuse" of tough laws being proposed to curb crime against women.

The cabinet has, however, widened the definition of "disrobing" as an offense to cover private and public situations.

Harsher sentences for serious crime like rape contained in the post-Nirbhaya case Ordinance remain, but provisions relating to voyeurism and stalking generated most comments as leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Sharad Yadav expressed their reservations.

Also Read: India, South Asia's Worst Performing Country on Gender Equality