Did we gain independence to see such disgrace: Om Puri on Delhi five-year-old's rape

Amid public outrage over the brutal rape of a five-year-old girl, Bollywood actor Om Puri says the recent incidents of atrocities indicate the erosion of values in the society.

"We call ourselves a 5,000 year old civilisation. We proudly say this is the land of Buddha and Gandhi. Today, where is Buddha? Where is Gandhi," the actor told PTI here.

"Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev sacrificed their lives for the country. Have their lives gone in vain? Did we gain independence to see such disgrace," Puri said.

"When I read that some police personnel had offered the girl's parents Rs 2,000 and told them to keep quiet over the issue, I felt ashamed. One becomes depressed after reading newspapers full of stories of corruption and atrocities on women," he added.

Puri, who received flak for decrying politicians while making a speech at the Ramlila Maidan during Anna Hazare's 2011 agitation in Delhi, said, "Now I think what I said at Ramlila was right."