In the past, several incidents of politicians making sexist remarks on women have surfaced online. Earlier, a politician said to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, “If you want to display your legs, wear bermudas.”
Now, another statement of an elected politician has sparked outrage online. According to a report by Zee News, KR Ramesh Kumar, a senior leader from Karnataka said in the assembly:
“There is a saying that when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it.”
Yes, he actually came up with this distasteful statement and laughed it out loud with the other members present. He decided to quote this ‘famous’ saying when he was denied the time to speak in the Assembly on the farmers’ issues. “Whatever you decide I will say yes. What I am thinking is that let us enjoy the situation. I can’t control or regulate the system, my concern is about the business of the house, it has also to be covered,” the Speaker told the members.
When the Speaker of the house asked him how will the Session be conducted if the time was allotted to everyone, the MLA in question came up with his nasty remark, and not-so-surprisingly, at that moment, none of the other members objected to his cringy and misogynistic statement.
Take a look at the video:
#WATCH| "…There's a saying: When rape is inevitable, lie down&enjoy," ex Karnataka Assembly Speaker & Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar said when Speaker Kageri, in response to MLAs request for extending question hour, said he couldn't& legislators should 'enjoy the situation' (16.12) pic.twitter.com/hD1kRlUk0T
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2021
If not the members of the house, people online lost their calm when a video of him went viral:
The House shall apologise to entire womanhood, every mother, sister & daughter of this nation for such an obnoxious & shameless behaviour @INCIndia @INCKarnataka @BJP4India @BJP4Karnataka @MahilaCongress @BJPMahilaMorcha pic.twitter.com/wPKbnxJlnp
— Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar (@DrAnjaliTai) December 16, 2021
Disgusting!
There is also a saying “Put more women in charge” https://t.co/ql2as2VAda
— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) December 16, 2021
#SHOCKING #Karnataka #MLAs #triviliazes #Rape in #assembly *There is a saying, When rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it' says former Speaker and congress MlA #RameshKumar during seeking more time on farmer issues. While current speaker Kageri laughs it off. pic.twitter.com/sWgQGK9jmi
— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) December 16, 2021
Shameful behaviour, shameful action. The party must deal with them & take very strict action so that it's an example for others not to even think of such things, forget talking about it in the House: SP MP Jaya Bachchan on Karnataka Congress MLA KR Ramesh Kumar's 'rape' remark pic.twitter.com/yHW56chob2
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2021
Previously He compared himself to a rape victim because he was being questioned repeatedly. He was speaker during JDS Congress govt. https://t.co/s4nXKv0ehy
— अंकित जैन (@indiantweeter) December 16, 2021
No law can bring an end to the rapes in India till perverts & mentally sick politicians like #RameshKumar of Congress in #Karnataka & all those who laughed at his comment exist in our society. #SoniaGandhi @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi ‘s silence is shameful . pic.twitter.com/0ebnYZ1prM
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) December 17, 2021
It's sickening to learn the mindset of a 6-time legislator!
INC MLA #RameshKumar shouldn't be allowed into Suvarna Soudha.
He has denigrated the sanctity of the Temple of Democracy by trivialising rape.
He must be thrown out of the party & assembly for his insensitive remarks.
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) December 16, 2021
Soon after, an NGO filed a complaint against MLA KR Ramesh for his remark.
Karnataka: NGO files complaint against Cong MLA KR Ramesh for 'rape' remark
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/Zfdj0ui4Nt pic.twitter.com/vZmFS6uRTE
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) December 17, 2021
After dodging reporters and remaining unapologetic on record, Kumar gave an apology.
#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
“If it hurts the sentiments of women, I’ve no problem apologizing. I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” Congress MLA KR Ramesh Kumar said in Karnataka Assembly.
If it hurts the sentiments of women, I've no problem apologising. I apologize from the bottom of my heart: Congress MLA KR Ramesh Kumar in Karnataka Assembly on his 'rape' remark made in the House yesterday.
"He has apologized, let's not drag it further," says Speaker VH Kageri. pic.twitter.com/7u3HeaSbLr
— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2021
Earlier, eminent politician Shashi Tharoor wrote a letter to insensitive politicians who blame women for rape. It’s sickening to see politicians make such insensitive comments.