Belagavi, Karnataka: Congress Member of Legislative Counci (MLA) and former Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar on Friday apologised for his “rape” remark made in the state Assembly.
Addressing the chair, Ramesh Kumar had, on Thursday, said: “When rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it.”
Taking a strong objection, Minister for Women and Child welfare Shashikala Jolle has urged all BJP women legislators to stage a protest against him.
The comments have triggered outrage all the way to the national capital Delhi. Ramesh Kumar has embarrassed his party, which faced criticism in and outside parliament.
Federal Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani raised it in parliament when she was interrupted by opposition protests over minister Ajay Mishra, whose son is accused of running over farmers. When protesting MPs blocked her view with placards while she was speaking, Smriti Irani hit out at the Congress.
“If you truly believe in the cause of women, first stand here and denounce that legislator who said that if you are raped, as a woman in the country you should enjoy it. Those men who stand in this Well today, go back to your political organisation and first bring to justice such a man, then we will see who speaks for women and children in this country,” she said.
Ramesh Kumar earlier tweeted: “I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone for the indifferent and negligent comment I made in assembly about ‘Rape’. My intention was not to trivialize or make light of the heinous crime, but an off the cuff remark! I will choose my words carefully henceforth!”
Samajwadi Party (SP) Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan on Friday expressed her displeasure and termed it as “shameful behaviour”.
She further demanded the Congress party to take strict action against the legislator.
“Shameful behaviour, shameful action. The party must deal with them and take very strict action so that it is an example for others not to even think of such things, forget talking about it in the House,” Bachchan told ANI.
“If you have people with such a mindset sitting in Assembly or Parliament, how can things change? We have to create an example by giving them the strictest punishment so that nobody ever dares speak like this. This is disgusting, I’m shocked,” she added.
The progressive thinkers and women activists have criticised the casual approach of the leaders in the session on a sensitive matter like “rape”.
Senior Congress leader and former minister Ramalinga Reddy has stated that the comment by Rameshkumar was not in a good taste.
Condemning the remark, Varalakshmi S, State President, Center of Indian Trade Union (CITU) on Friday said: “It is a matter of dignity and respect for the House. This example shouldn’t be given in the session. We didn’t expect these comments from a senior leader like Ramesh Kumar. If at all he had made these comments unconsciously, he should gracefully withdraw them,” she demanded.
The remark was made when legislators were vying with each other to initiate the discussion on the flood situation in the state and relief measures on Thursday.
Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri’s repeated appeals for legislators went in vain to speak when the time is fixed, he appealed to legislators to decide among themselves and then voice their concerns.
Addressing former speaker Ramesh Kumar, Kageri said: “You know I am now in ‘let’s enjoy the situation’ mode. I am finding it very difficult to control the house. I will have to throw all rules, guidelines into the air and allow everyone to talk on the topic of their choice at the session. I will have to say a yes to everything,” he said.
At this, Ramesh Kumar stood up addressing the chair and said: “There is a saying when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it.” To the shock of several women MLAs, he further stated “that’s exactly the position into which you are.”
Speaker Kageri smiled at the remark and the whole session also had a good laugh over the statements by both senior leaders.
