From blaming item numbers for gang rape to calling a rape survivor a prostitute, several similar sexist remarks by Indian politicians have irked a lot of people in the past.
Now, it’s this leader in Hubli, Karnataka who says that women get raped when they don’t wear Hijab (veil worn by certain Muslim women).
During a press meet, reacting to the current Hijab controversy going on in Karnataka, Zameer Ahmed said that rape rates are high in the country because women don’t wear Hijab, reported the Times Of India.
In a video that’s now going viral online, the leader is seen saying in Hindi, “Hijab means ‘parda’ in Islam.”
“It is for hiding the beauty of girls when they come of age. Today, you can see that the rape rate is the highest in our country. What do you think is the reason for this? The reason is that several women don’t wear hijab.”
“Few people among us do not wear hijab. It is not mandatory to wear a Hijab. However, I have asked our women to wear hijab for their safety,” Ahmed added
Watch him giving the statement here:
#WATCH | Hijab means 'Parda' in Islam…to hide the beauty of women…women get raped when they don't wear Hijab: Congress leader Zameer Ahmed on #HijabRow in Hubli, Karnataka pic.twitter.com/8Ole8wjLQF
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2022
Obviously, his words were met with a lot of criticism online:
Despicable thinking. So sick of listening to the regressive opinions of politicians https://t.co/dSy9HTMjXt
— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) February 14, 2022
Hijab row: "Rape rates are the highest in India because women are not under purdah" ~ Congress leader Zameer Ahmed.
This person is a 4-time MLA of Chamrajpet constituency.
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) February 13, 2022
MLA Zameer Ahmed says rapes happen because women don’t wear hijab. Sir, in this sick world 3 year old babies have been raped.
Rapes happen because the rapist does not fear the system. The victim does. Death penalty is the only answer. Hang them high. https://t.co/DTPnQEaUgG
— Major Gaurav Arya (Retd) (@majorgauravarya) February 14, 2022
According to Congress leader Zameer Ahmed, women who don’t wear Hijab get raped.
Does that mean non-muslim women are inviting rape upon themselves?#disgusting
— Monica (@TrulyMonica) February 13, 2022
Congress leader from Karnataka Zameer Ahmed has said "women get πaped if they don’t wear hijab"
Making mockery of the women of our nation, such loose remarks are being made by Congress leaders on a regular basis. This is extremely sad. #DontTrivialiseRape
— BALA (@erbmjha) February 14, 2022
Shame! Parda should be on your mentality. https://t.co/GH50DJly14
— Ayushi Gupta (@__Bittuu) February 14, 2022
Sick mentality https://t.co/mLHXYfvCOs
— Lord (@Lord80399892) February 14, 2022
These people are apparently 'Law Makers'. What a world we live in! I hope @INCIndia takes some actions against him. https://t.co/bSzFa8zRkr
— Faizan Babi (@AWhiteShirt) February 14, 2022
women get raped because of rapists, and rapists only. no other reason. https://t.co/K31iinzKX5
— k. (@requlus) February 14, 2022
Thank you so much sir for so explicitly telling us the real driving force behind demand for #Burqa . My heart goes out for the young Muslim girls who have been conditioned to think it's their choice and it'll empower them. https://t.co/uz2gFbRIUK
— Rajgopal (@rajgopal88) February 13, 2022
Rape happens because women don’t wear hijab.
Also, hijab is not compulsory.
In 2022 in India. This rubbish. https://t.co/MbWpNiDXT0— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) February 13, 2022
Women get raped when they don't wear Hijab: Congress leader Zameer Ahmed on #HijabRow
Fact
48% rape victims were in burkhasBut for Congress facts don’t matter – only cheap votebank politics matters
Leader after leader trivialises rape & Priyanka Vadra is silent pic.twitter.com/H0rgGy1CYZ
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) February 14, 2022
There should be some minimum qualification test required (read common sense) for politicians. #SICK https://t.co/N4bMyBTwxA
— R. (@Rintumariam) February 14, 2022
Their men are problem… They them to wear Hijab on their eyes. https://t.co/w7zjbcQ0fi
— CS Vineeta Singh 🇮🇳 (@biharigurl) February 13, 2022
This, coming from a leader of the country, is shameful.