Complaint filed against Karnataka MLA KR Ramesh\'s for \'rape\' remark, he apologises

New Delhi: A Delhi based NGO on Friday filed a complaint against KR Ramesh, Congress MLA in Karnataka Assembly, on his "rape" remark with the Governor of Karnataka to take legal action and disqualify him as MLA.

The complaint requested Karnataka Governor to take strict legal action against Ramesh and further disqualify him as a member of the Karnataka Assembly for his insensitive and offensive remark against women which is against the Constitution as his comment hampers the right to live with the dignity of women, stated the complaint.

The Society for Securing Justice, NGO through its vice president Vineet Jindal, a lawyer, on Friday filed a complaint with Thaver Chand Gahelot, Governor of Karnataka against Congress MLA Ramesh for allegedly making disgraceful and derogatory remarks against women.

The Congress MLA had stoked controversy in the Assembly on Thursday by saying "when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it."

However, the MLA on Friday apologised for his 'off the cuff remark'. "I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone for the indifferent and negligent comment I made in today's assembly about 'Rape!' My intention was not trivialise or make light of the heinous crime, but an off the cuff remark! I will choose my words carefully henceforth!" Ramesh Kumar tweeted.

The complaint further states that, "this offensive, outrageous, and disgusting alleged remark by the MLA reflects his pessimistic outlook towards women. It is ignominy for a progressive and empowered society like ours that such kind of statement has been used in Assembly by MLA's in a very insensitive manner."

KR Ramesh's comment is condemnable and offending to women's dignity and honour and completely unacceptable. The representatives, if fail to exemplify the respect for the laws then what could be expected from the others who are meant to abide by them, it added.

The complaint also stated that it is a matter of great shame for our nation where women are treated as divine souls and endless endeavours have been carried out by our government for women empowerment, the situation in the state assembly of Karnataka shows a pitiable and pathetic picture of the status of women with the said remark by KR Ramesh, while it was to be objected there and then only but rather it was a matter of mockery in the Assembly.

It is ironic that the laws are created in these Assemblies to protect the rights of the citizen to secure their right to live with dignity and the MLAs who are a part of lawmaking are not sensitive to the rights of women. This event is very disappointing for all the people of the country and especially the women population, the complaint read.

The MLA's remark came amid the Assembly discussing rain and flood related damages on Thursday. While many MLAs wanted to speak to highlight the plight of people in their constituencies, Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri found himself in a fix as he wanted to wind up the discussion at the earliest whereas the MLAs were insisting to extend the time.

"I am in a situation where I have to enjoy and say 'yes, yes.' That's it. This is what I feel. I should give up controlling the situation and take the proceedings in a systematic manner, I should tell everyone to continue your talks," Kageri said laughing.

He explained that his only grievance is that the business of the house is not happening.

Ramesh Kumar intervened and said, "See, there is a saying- when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it. That's exactly the position in which you are."

The former minister came under fire from various quarters including the MLAs from his own party for his statement.

The Congress party's Khanapur MLA Anjali Nimbalkar took a strong view of it.

She tweeted, "The House shall apologise to entire womanhood, every mother, sister & daughter of this nation for such an obnoxious & shameless behaviour."

Another Congress MLA Sowmya Reddy too denounced the statement in her tweet: "This is just NOT ok. There needs to be an apology."

The chairperson of the National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma flayed the statement in her tweet.

She said, "It is extremely sad and unfortunate that we still have public representative who are misogynists and have horrible mindset towards women.

It's really disgusting. If they sit in assemblies and speak like this how they must be behaving with women in their lives?"