HYDERABAD: While his party bosses in the national capital have been nearly pulverized by raging protests against the gang-rape of a Delhi girl, Andhra Pradesh Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana on Monday opened his mouth to put his foot right in, saying women are asking for trouble if they venture out at night. Worse, he described the assault on the physiotherapy student as a "minor incident” for which party president Sonia Gandhi had reached out to agitating people.

"Just because India achieved freedom at midnight does not mean that women can venture out after dark. They should ensure that they do not board buses with few passengers,” Botsa said to the shock of reporters at a press conference at Congress headquarters here.

Botsa’s comment came in context of growing protests against the gang-rape and violence against women in general. He then tried to cover up for his remark by praising Sonia. "Although it (Delhi gang-rape) was a minor incident, Soniaji made it a point to meet the protesters when they called on her,” Botsa said.

There was no stopping Botsa as he continued, "The woman should have thought twice before boarding the suspicious private bus that night. Though the incident was condemnable, she should also have behaved keeping in mind the situation."

He also slammed the protesters "taking the law into their hands” at Vijay Chowk in Delhi and then decreed that since the UPA chairperson had taken note of the incident, there should be no further agitations either in Delhi or in Andhra Pradesh.

Within minutes, Botsa’s remarks were flashed across all news channels in Andhra Pradesh and a rattled PCC chief called for a second press conference to tender an apology.

"I made the comments as a responsible father. The incident was not small, it should not be treated like that,” he said and apologized. All governments should endeavor to create an atmosphere where anybody can move around at midnight as well, he added.

But there were no takers for Botsa’s apology. Women’s rights activist V Sandhya said, "Botsa Satyanarayana’s statement unmasks the true colour of our politicians, and their attitude towards women. It shows his lack of understanding of the issue. He said women must not roam around during night just because we got the Independence at midnight, but he doesn’t know that the Constitution has given women right to equality. It is shameful to hear such words from the man who is the PCC president.”