Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar stoked a controversy by saying that “80-90 per cent of the rape cases in the country involved people who knew each other.”
#WATCH:Haryana CM ML Khattar says,“Sabse badi chinta yeh hai ki yeh ghatnayein jo hain rape aur Chhed chhad ki, 80-90% jankaro ke beech mein hoti hai.Kafi samay ke liye Ikhatte ghumte hain, ek din anban hogai, uss din utha karke FIR karwa dete hain ‘isne mujhe rape kiya’.”(15.11) pic.twitter.com/jZWy3h3fK2
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2018
In a 32-second video shared by ANI, Khattar, reportedly speaking in an event on Thursday, November 15, said, “(Incidences of rape and harassment) have not increased. These used to happen before and they continue to happen now (and) it is worrisome. (But), the biggest worry about these incidences of rape and harassment is that 80-90 per cent of these incidences take place between people who know each other.” He added, “They know each other. A lot of incidences are such that they are together for a long time (and) one day there is a tiff. That day, the girl files an FIR saying, ‘He has raped me.’”
On Sunday, November 18, Khattar clarified his statement and noted that he was not the only person who had made such observations. He said, “I didn’t say (consent). I said people who know each other. That’s where rapes occur. I am not the only one saying this. There’s research to back it. There shouldn’t be politics into this.”
Khattar’s statements predictably raised a furore, with Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeting, “‘Anti-Women’ Mindset of Khattar Govt Exposed! Haryana CM Khattar Ji makes an utterly condemnable remark — ‘Most girls, who interact with boys, get raped, 80 per cent rape happen with consent.’ Blaming women for complete failures to control Rapes and Gang rapes? Deplorable! CM should apologise.”
‘Anti-Women’ Mindset of Khattar Govt Exposed!
Haryana CM Khattarji makes an utterly condemnable remark-
“Most girls who interact with boys,get raped,80% rape happen with consent”
Blaming Women for complete failures to control Rapes & Gangrapes?Deplorable!
CM should apologise pic.twitter.com/CEscTepfsR
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) November 17, 2018