Death must for rapists, says Jayaprada

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">DHARWAD: Actress and former Rajya Sabha member Jayaprada has welcomed the move to award capital punishment to rapists. In an exclusive interview to <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">The Times of India</span> at Savadatti, Jayaprada said the government should not lose any more time. <br />She appealed to all state governments and political parties to arrive at a consensus and pass the Act.<br />The talented beauty is in Savadatti for the shooting of Kannada film ‘Renuka Mahatme’, the mythological story of Goddess Yallamma of Savadatti.<br />The present laws pertaining to rape and safety of women are woefully inadequate and criminals get away scot-free for lack of evidence. How can a victim of rape, who is in trauma, search for evidence in a male-dominated society, she asked. The slogan of equality to women has remained in books and vested interests have made constant efforts to silence bold women who raise their voice against injustice, she said. <br />"Society should change its outlook and accept the victim and allow her to lead a decent life," the former movie star asserted. "The plight of the rape victim is pathetic as she is rejected by both her in-laws and parents." <br />Jayaprada said she is ready to plunge into active politics and contest Lok Sabha elections from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh as the Telugu Desam Party candidate, "if the party leadership gives me a chance. My options are open," she said. On her performance as a Rajya Sabha member, Jayaprada claimed it was highly satisfactory and she had received support from all parties whenever she raised her voice for justice. <br />She was all praise for Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who she claimed "was taking the state on the path of progress rapidly. Despite the recurring problems of Naxals, drought and floods, Naidu has taken Andhra Pradesh on the development track. He has got vision. For the first time, he has got the government working at the village level. Naidu leads from the front and acts like a CEO," Jayaprada said.<br />The actress-cum-politician will soon set up the Jayaprada Charitable Trust with Hyderabad as the headquarters. The Trust will take up healthcare, self-employment and education for women. <br />On the cultural front, the Navadurga Dance Ballet will be launched with Mumbai as headquarters, and Ravindra Jain as music director. The Ballet will perform all over the country and abroad. </div> </div>