Congress MLA K.R.Ramesh Kumar’s insensitive remark about rape in Karnataka assembly has sparked an outrage. However it did not nudge conscience of the men present in the Assembly, who laughed it off
An apology cannot make the dead alive; neither can it bring back a bullet that has been fired. So how can it restore a dignity that was lost?
This is the question that lawmakers need to ask themselves even as they target women, demean or trifle with them.
As things are, sexist remarks are the rule rather than an exception hence whenever they are made, they pass off as banter unless of course women put their foot down. And even if an apology is forthcoming, it is more to douse the fire, as it were, than one that comes from within.
Nothing can demonstrate this better than a recent incident in the Karnataka Assembly wherein a Congress MLA K.R.Ramesh Kumar, demonstrated a regressive mindset to put it mildly.
Kumar was responding to Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri’s repartee’ about his position being similar to someone who was compelled to enjoy an adverse situation.
The Speaker was referring to the prolonged debate wherein MLAs were demanding more time to speak on crop loss due to the rains in the state. At this Kumar told the Speaker: “There is a saying—when rape is inevitable lie down and enjoy it”.
Shocking as this statement was, it did not nudge anyone’s conscience: at least not of the men present in the Assembly. Together, they laughed it off.
The BJP was quick to jump in, with spokesperson Aparajita Sarangi, criticizing the Speaker for not taking the erring member to task. She struck the right note but backtracked soon after, because she was short on facts. She did not know that the Speaker was from her Party and hence criticism was not in order. Sum total: Party above gender loyalty.
Yet defending the indefensible were two BJP MPs, one currently a minister, who said that the Speaker had made no comment and hence could not be faulted. In other words, spare him because he did nothing.
For someone who holds the high office of a Speaker, puts on him an additional responsibility to ensure that decorum and dignity is maintained. Therefore, to allow such comments and also laugh with the perpetrator is nothing short of being an accomplice.
If Sarangi put her party above the interest of women as a whole, then what about the Congress? At the helm are two sensitive women: Mrs Sonia Gandhi and her daughter Priyanka Vadra.
