Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday condemned the controversial remark of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on incidents of rape, and raised the issue of their security in that state.
“There is anger among women on Khattar’s statement. Women say that when a chief minister can make such comments against them, how can women be safe in his state,” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
At a function in Kalka town of Panchkula district on Friday, Khattar had said, “The incidents of rape have not increased… Rapes used to take place in the past and happens even today. (Only) the concern (over such incidents) has increased.
“The biggest concern is that in 80 to 90 per cent of rape and eve-teasing cases, the accused and the victim know each other. In many cases, they know each other for a long time and, on one day, when there is an argument… an FIR is lodged, saying: ‘He has raped me’,” Khattar had said.
The Congress also condemned Khattar’s remark as the party accused the BJP leadership of being “misogynist”.
On Sunday, the Congress demanded an apology from Haryana Chief Minister.
“Misogyny has become a buzzword for BJP leadership. Humiliating India’s women has become a characteristic style of BJP leaders. The Talibani thought process of the BJP leadership particularly Khattar has been exposed,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
Surjewala blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party for Harayana becoming a crime hub and rising incidents of crimes against women, particularly rape and molestation.
Asking Khattar to apologise for his derogatory remarks, Surjewala also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi breaks his silence on BJP leaders often making sexist remarks.
(With agency inputs)