Two minor girls were raped by four youth on Benaulim beach on Sunday. The four accused have been arrested by the police on Sunday night. The four accused, reportedly were, Asif Hateli (21), Rajesh Mane (33), Gajanand Chinchankar (31) and Nitin Yabbal (19).
On Wednesday, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant passed a shocking remark during the State Assembly. He said that the parents of teenagers must introspect that why their wards hang out at the beach in dark. He passed this remark over the accusations levelled by the Opposition MLAs.
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While responding, the Chief Minister during the Monsoon session said, “Ten children went for a party on the beach. Out of 10, six returned home. The remaining four, two boys and two girls, stayed on the beach the whole night. When a 14-year old girl spends the night on the beach, the parents too have to introspect, they have should be taking care.”
He continued, “It is also our responsibility. Just because children are not listening (to their parents), we cannot leave all the responsibility to the police.”
Meanwhile, Goa CM was slammed for his comment on the rape issue. Many raised the question that why only the girls are blamed?
Srivatsa, Karnataka Congress Member, tweeted, “Goa CM has blamed 14-year old minor girls for their gang-rape on a beach. Why blame rape survivors for the Govt's failure to ensure police patrolling? @DrPramodPSawant you are making GOA another UP where GOONDA RAJ prevails & Govt isn't responsible for assaults on women!”
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All Indian Mahila Congress took the micro-blogging website and wrote, “BJP's Goa CM indulges in rape victim shaming! Time and again, this sick mindset of the BJP is reflected whenever a rape or sexual violence incident takes place in the state in which they rule. Such statements are not only reprehensible but a display of their Anti-Women agenda.”
AAP Goa Convener, Rahul Mhambre tweeted and wrote that he holds his head in shame. Here’s what his tweet read, “It's with utter disgust I hold my head in shame as we have a CM in our Goa who instead of charging and bringing to law the accused culprits blames the victims.
I strongly condemn the statement made by Goa CM who holds the Home portfolio. If he is helpless he is unfit for the office.”
It is not for the first time, such comments have been passed by the BJP leaders in the past as well. In June 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi courted controversy over his sexist remark over Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. He boldly said, “Despite being a woman she has zero tolerance towards terrorism.”