Khattar's rape comment questioning victims sparks row, Kejriwal slams him
What's the story
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar sparked a controversy after he said rape victims knew the accused in most cases and complained after an argument. The video of Khattar was widely shared on social media and got him criticism from all quarters. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted how can women be safe when the head of the state had such views on rapes.
What he said
Khattar claims argument leads to FIR in rape cases
Khattar was speaking at a function in Kalka town of Panchkula district where he claimed rapes happened earlier too, but these days the concerns were high. "In many cases, they know each other for a long time and, on one day, when there is an argument (between them over some issue)... an FIR is lodged, saying: 'He has raped me'," Khattar said.
Twitter Post
Khattar's statements were bound to spark a controversy
#WATCH:Haryana CM ML Khattar says,“Sabse badi chinta yeh hai ki yeh ghatnayein jo hain rape aur Chhed chhad ki, 80-90% jankaro ke beech mein hoti hai.Kafi samay ke liye Ikhatte ghumte hain, ek din anban hogai, uss din utha karke FIR karwa dete hain ‘isne mujhe rape kiya’.”(15.11) pic.twitter.com/jZWy3h3fK2
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2018
Reactions
Surjewala terms the comments 'deplorable', demands apology
Soon Khattar received ire for this words. Congress' spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted: 'Anti-Women' Mindset of Khattar Govt Exposed! Haryana CM Khattarji makes an utterly condemnable remark. Blaming Women for complete failures to control Rapes & Gangrapes? Deplorable! CM should apologize. Kejriwal tweeted this was the reason rapists weren't brought to justice in Haryana and roamed freely.
Twitter Post
How can women feel safe in Haryana, asks Kejriwal
अगर किसी प्रदेश के CM ऐसा सोचते हैं, तो वहाँ लड़कियाँ सुरक्षित कैसे हो सकती हैं? CM साहिब रेप को justify कर रहे हैं। यही कारण है की हरियाणा में रेप बढ़ रहे हैं और बलात्कारी पकड़े नहीं जाते, खुले घूम रहे हैं। https://t.co/Il6Fwgf1xj
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 18, 2018
Looking back
Khattar and his misogynistic statements
Khattar has a reputation for making misogynistic remarks. In 2014, he blamed women's attire on rapes and 'advised' them to dress 'properly'. When asked about freedom of choice of women, Khattar had said, "If they need freedom then why don't they just roam around naked? Our country's tradition asks girls to dress decently." Four years later, it looks like his thoughts haven't changed.