New Delhi [India], May 08 (NT): Ahead of a recent gang rapes calling for a change in mindset, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted that, it is ridiculous to claim that a woman's clothing is the cause behind a rape.

She further fired a question, if the dress is the reason, then why an old-age woman does or a toddler or minor is sexually assaulted.

"What efforts can be made by external agencies when you have known people absolutely violating the women? Some people say about the way women dress. Then why does rape happen of elderly people? Why does rape happen of toddlers?" the Defense minister stated at an event organized by industry lobby FICCI.

The minister urged law agencies need to be more practical in providing protection to women.

"Out of every 10 such incidents, seven are committed by people who know the victim-- relative, friends, neighbour. Law enforcement agencies need to be far more proactive, I concede all that," she said.

On this occasion Sitharaman addressed 'Stories That Matter'-- an event organized at FICCI and released the Gender Parity Survey Report. (NT)