Karnataka: Congress MLA KR Ramesh apologises for 'enjoy rape' comment

A day after Karnataka MLA KR Ramesh Kumar made a controversial remark regarding women and rape the Congress legislator apologised for the comment in the Assembly on Friday If it hurts the sentiments of women I have no problem in apologizing I apologize from bottom of my heart the Congress MLA saidAfter he apologised on the floor of the Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said that the MLA has apologised and lets not drag it furtherSenior Karnataka Congress leader and former Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday made a controversial comment on rapeSpeaking in the Assembly Kumar said There is a saying that when rape is inevitable lie down and enjoy it That is exactly the position in which you areProgressive thinkers and women activists have criticised the casual approach of the leaders in the session on sensitive matter like rapeCenter of Indian Trade Union CITU President Varalakshmi S termed the remark condemnableIt is a matter of dignity and respect for the House This example should not have been given We did not expect such a demeaning comment from a senior leader like Ramesh Kumar If at all he had made it inadvertently he should gracefully withdraw it she demandedThe remark was made when legislators were vying with each other to initiate the discussion on flood situation in the state and relief measures Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageris repeated appeals to maintain decorum went in vain He had then asked the members to decide amongst themselves and then voice their concernsAt this juncture Speaker Kageri addressing former speaker Ramesh Kumar stated You know I am now in lets enjoy the situation mode I am finding it very difficult to control the House I will have to throw all rules guidelines into the air and allow everyone to talk on the topic of their choice at the session I will have to say yes to everythingAt this Ramesh Kumar stood up and addressed the chair saying There is a saying When rape is inevitable lie down and enjoy it To the shock of women MLAs he further stated thats exactly the position into which you areSpeaker Kageri smiled at the remark and the whole session also had a good laugh over itWe are seeing casual remarks on women being made in common situations While using abuses they address females the issue needs to be addressed the CITU state president opinedWomen MLAs both from Congress and ruling BJP have expressed their concern over a serious and sensitive subject of rape being spoken in a lighter vein They condemned the casual and male chauvinistic approach to the inhuman act which needs to be seen seriouslySince both the leaders who raised the issue and responded are senior leaders in their respective parties they are not in a position to air their views freely We have spoken during the Monsoon session on Mysuru gangrape case Knowing well the pain involved in crimes such as rape we didnt expect such remarks in the house they saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever