In a shocking incident that took place in Mysuru recently, a 22-year-old MBA student from Mumbai was allegedly gang-raped and her friend was brutally beaten up by six men. The crime happened in a secluded stretch at the Chamundi foothills on Tuesday night, reports TOI.
According to The Indian Express, the police haven’t made any arrests yet but have detained one person related to the crime and an FIR has been lodged. According to the statement given by the friend who was assaulted, the accused men took a video of the gruesome assault and threatened the woman to leak it on social media. Since the area of the crime took place in a very secluded area, the accused were almost sure that no one would come to rescue the victims.
This incident has sparked massive outrage among people. However, 2 days after the incident, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra blamed the gang-rape victim for going to a secluded area “after sunset”, reports TOI.
“What was she doing there at 7-7.30 PM? Why did she go to a secluded place with her classmate after sunset? But what can we do, people are free to go anywhere anytime,” he said.
Echoing similar views, Karnataka Minister of Environment, Ecology and Tourism Anand Singh said:
“Lovers and newly married couples should never venture into secluded places after dark. The government cannot ask the police to keep vigil all the time.”
In another shocking statement, Karnataka Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar said:
“Rapes have happened all the time.”
Gang rapes happen all the time, says Karnataka Minister Shivaram Hebbar https://t.co/XSUGiyMVo4 pic.twitter.com/ETyMypZcyR
— Newsd (@GetNewsd) August 26, 2021
Several people online slammed the ministers for making such insensitive statements and engaging in victim-blaming.
Sometimes I wonder if these patriarchal men and women from the 1800s have a template they have saved which they parrot every time a woman is attacked.
Sorry sir, didn't know the country stops being ours after sunset and we must quickly enter our burrows https://t.co/Mw0D3T99vx
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) August 27, 2021
"they should not have gone there": Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Mysuru gangrape case
Every single time the administration does this. Blames the victim. https://t.co/Qc65PA88kT
— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) August 26, 2021
Ritu when will our leaders learn to stop 🛑 blaming &?shaming a victim of #SexualAssault. This change should come from each leader who holds a key position in government whose job is to look at the law & order of the state or country. Ask how will u hold perpetrator accountable?
— Ruchi Angrish (She/Her) (@RuchiAngrish) August 27, 2021
We as a country have normalised rapes… Marital rape is not an offense any more, gang rapes and rapes happen all the time so it's normal too …
And on top of everything we love victim blaming. https://t.co/wLlMEsF6G5
— Aafa 🦋 (@tooooldschool) August 27, 2021
With such Sick minded People on Ministerial positions, India's Girls and Women and never be secured.
I request CM shri @BSBommai to fire this minister for such loose and irresponsible remarks https://t.co/3DswtR6iSc— Kshitij Landge – कदम (@LandgeSpeaks) August 27, 2021
Karnataka home minister's comments shaming the survivor of a brutal rape undermine the dignity of all women. A clear message condemning the remarks should be sent by party top brass including Union Ministers.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) August 27, 2021
Such imbeciles are part of the government. Who the hell is he to ask such questions? 75 years since independence and were still stuck with bullshit. *sigh* https://t.co/2K6G9wSvz5
— Sameer Khatib (@Sam01khtb) August 27, 2021
My wish. I will go anywhere I want, whenever I want.
Why don't you ask men to stay at home after 7pm so women can roam freely. Rapes will reduce. Men are the problem here, not women. https://t.co/Gk2v4jWXD2
— ಬೆಳದಿಂಗಳ ಬಾಲೆ (@RainSunMoonSky) August 27, 2021
After facing severe backlash, the Karnataka Home Minister has apologized for his statement, reports ABP.
“I had no intention to hurt anybody. I take back my statement,” he said.
When will society start holding the perpetrators accountable instead of shaming the victim of such a gruesome incident?