After 9 years of Nirbhaya, this is where our country stands on rape. On Wednesday, a shocking statement was passed by one of the senior Congress leaders named KR Ramesh Kumar. The sexist comment was made in the state Assembly while the leaders had gathered to discuss issues regarding the farmers.
“There is a saying that when rape Is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it” said KR Ramesh Kumar. The distasteful comment was made by the leader when the MLAs were demanding time from the speaker for the discussion on the farmer's issue.
The Speaker of the assembly had questioned the session on how the session could be held if everyone was allotted time. Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri added “ Whatever you decide- I will say yes.
What I am thinking is that let us enjoy the situation” he further added that his concern was about the business of the house as it had to be covered. After which Ramesh Kumar made the controversial statement and the members present in the assembly broke out into laughter.
The state of Karnataka has a high crime rate against women compared to the other states of the country. According to the state’s records during the rape in Chamundi hills in the month of August, the state witnessed a huge rage from the people.
During the time period of January 2019 and May 2021, the state recorded over 1,168 rape cases across the state. This was not the first time that Congress Leader Ramesh Kumar had made such comments on women.
When he was the speaker of the state’s Assembly, he had made headlines after comparing himself to a rape survivor. During that session Kumar made an insensitive joke on the rape survivor who had been raped multiple times, saying “I feel like a rape victim” After facing a huge backlash by women legislators, Kumar had tendered an apology.