Women politicians today said the alleged sexual assault on a reporter by Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal should not be politicised and leaders should rise against such incidents by cutting across party lines.
Congress MP Priya Dutt said that the issue has highlighted that such incidents of sexual harassment were prevalent everywhere, in corporate houses and in companies.
"This issue should not be politicised. We should cross the party lines...As this issue highlights that such a situation is prevalent everywhere from corporate houses to companies," Dutt said.
In an e-mail to Tehelka management, the journalist informed about the incident which had taken place in Goa during an event about a fortnight ago.
Following which Tejpal had tendered unconditional apology and recused himself from the post of the editor of the magazine for six months.
Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar termed the incident as a matter of "great concern and worry".
"Anything where the dignity and respect and security of women is compromised and it hurt, is something of great concern," she said, adding it should not have happened.
