An opposition lawmaker in the southern Indian state of Karnataka has apologized after a scandal erupted over a rape statement. “There is a saying that when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it,” said KR Congress leader Ramesh Kumar, responding to a remark by Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri that he could not control the chaos.
Mr Kageri and some other Members laughed in response. But Mr Kumar was called to apologize after the statement sparked outrage.
On Friday, he told the state assembly that he apologized “with an open heart” to anyone who was hurt by his comment.
“I had no intention of insulting women or diminishing the prestige of the assembly or joking about it. “I had no ultimate motivation,” Kumar said.
Women MPs from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mr Kumar’s Congress party called his remarks “unconscious” and threatened to protest.
“When we came to the assembly, we appreciated Ramesh Kumar for his parliamentary ability. “But he does not seem to respect women,” said BJP MP Poornima Srinivas, who also criticized Mr Kageri for laughing.
“A woman who is sexually assaulted suffers trauma all her life. It’s wrong to use that as an analogy to something else,” said Congresswoman Roopakala M.
On Friday, Mr Kageri rejected requests from women lawmakers to address the issue, saying Mr Kumar had apologized.
“We all respect women and we try to ensure that respect for women does not diminish. “I do not think there is a need to raise the issue and create a confrontation,” said the chairman of the assembly.
bbc.com
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