Former Karnataka Legislative Assembly speaker and senior Congress MLA K.R. Ramesh Kumar is under fire over his rape remarks during the session. The current speaker of the assembly, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri also received criticism for laughing it off.
Watch: Senior Congress leader K R Ramesh Kumar and #Karnataka Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri have sparked controversy after the former made a sexist comment in the ongoing #KarnatakaAssembly session in Belagavihttps://t.co/7o0PkmSTyH pic.twitter.com/ZbhiSJdPir
— Express Bengaluru (@IEBengaluru) December 17, 2021
Earlier, he seems unapologetic over the rape remarks submitting that it was just a saying.
"I have said nothing wrong", "it's just a saying", "You can derive any inference you want" : MLA Ramesh Kumar says as he refuses to apologise to the crass comment on Rape he made in the Karnataka assembly
He had earlier said"When rape is inevitable, just lie down and enjoy it". pic.twitter.com/s9uPKTc0BR
— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) December 17, 2021
#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar evades reporters' questions on if he will apologise for his 'rape' remark made in the state Assembly, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/kUS1IVnIUx
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2021
But the MLA submitted an apology late Thursday. In the apology statement, he wrote, “My intention was not trivialise or make light of the heinous crime, but an off-the-cuff remark! I will choose my words carefully henceforth!”
I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone for the indifferent and negligent comment I made in today’s assembly about “Rape!” My intention was not trivialise or make light of the heinous crime, but an off the cuff remark! I will choose my words carefully henceforth!
— K. R. Ramesh Kumar (@KRRameshKumar1) December 16, 2021
On Thursday, many MLAs were seeking time to discuss the issues related to rain and flood-related damages. Speaker Kageri found himself in a fix as he was running short of time and he needed to wind up the discussions till 6 pm. But the MLAs insisted on extending the time.
“I am in a situation where I have to enjoy and say ‘yes, yes’. That’s it. This is what I feel. I should give up controlling the situation and take the proceedings in a systematic manner, I should tell everyone to continue your talks,” Kageri said.
“See, there is a saying: when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it. That’s exactly the position in which you are,” remarked MLA Kumar.
The video of the incident went viral on the internet. What’s more disappointing is when the speaker can also be seen laughing over the remarks. The insensitivity can be felt through the laugh of other members in the session who also can be heard laughing.
“The House shall apologise to entire womanhood, every mother, sister & daughter of this nation for such an obnoxious & shameless behaviour (SIC),” tweeted Khanapur Congress MLA Anjali Nimbalkar.
