Former Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar, who was criticized for his remarks on rape made on the floor of the House on December 16, has tendered an apology.
In a tweet, he said: “I would like to extend my sincere apologies to all for the indifferent and reckless remarks made about rape in today’s assembly. I did not intend to minimize or bring to light the heinous crime, Rather an off-the-cuff comment! I will choose my words carefully from now on!”
On 16 December, when Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri expressed helplessness about members not being able to curtail lengthy speeches, Mr. Kumar had said, “There is a saying…when rape is inevitable, lie down.” And enjoy it. So is your situation.”
Mr. Kageri laughed out loud in response. No one in the House objected to Mr. Kumar’s remarks or Mr. Kageri’s reaction.
All India Congress Committee’s Karnataka in-charge general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala rejected the remarks.
He tweeted: “Congress Party rejects the highly objectionable and insensitive banter between Karnataka Assembly Speaker and Senior Congress MLA in the House. Speakers as custodians and senior legislators are expected to be role models and should refrain from such unacceptable behaviour. ,
Karnataka has, on more than one occasion, seen public representatives make insensitive remarks about rape. After the gang rape of a medical student in Mysore in August 2020, Home Minister Araga Gyanendra had said that the opposition was politicizing the incident and ‘raping’ her.
While he claimed that it was nothing more than a ‘joke’, he later withdrew his remarks and apologized.
Mr. Kumar, when he was the Speaker, drew the ire of the women members by comparing himself to a rape victim.
Former Karnataka speaker apologizes for insensitive remarks on rape
Former Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar, who was criticized for his remarks on rape made on the floor of the House on December 16, has tendered an apology.
In a tweet, he said: “I would like to extend my sincere apologies to all for the indifferent and reckless remarks made about rape in today’s assembly. I did not intend to minimize or bring to light the heinous crime, Rather an off-the-cuff comment! I will choose my words carefully from now on!”
On 16 December, when Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri expressed helplessness about members not being able to curtail lengthy speeches, Mr. Kumar had said, “There is a saying…when rape is inevitable, lie down.” And enjoy it. So is your situation.”
Mr. Kageri laughed out loud in response. No one in the House objected to Mr. Kumar’s remarks or Mr. Kageri’s reaction.
All India Congress Committee’s Karnataka in-charge general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala rejected the remarks.
He tweeted: “Congress Party rejects the highly objectionable and insensitive banter between Karnataka Assembly Speaker and Senior Congress MLA in the House. Speakers as custodians and senior legislators are expected to be role models and should refrain from such unacceptable behaviour. ,
Karnataka has, on more than one occasion, seen public representatives make insensitive remarks about rape. After the gang rape of a medical student in Mysore in August 2020, Home Minister Araga Gyanendra had said that the opposition was politicizing the incident and ‘raping’ her.
While he claimed that it was nothing more than a ‘joke’, he later withdrew his remarks and apologized.
Mr. Kumar, when he was the Speaker, drew the ire of the women members by comparing himself to a rape victim.
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