An Off The Cuff Remark: Karnataka Congress MLA's Apology After 'Enjoy Rape' Comment

Ramesh Kumar, who drew flak for his remark from various quarters, said that he would choose his words carefully henceforth.

Former Karnataka Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar. (PTI)

New Delhi: Expressing sincere apologies for his “indifferent and negligent” sexist comment in the Karnataka Assembly, Congress MLA K.R. Ramesh Kumar on Friday said that it was an ‘off the cuff remark’ and added that his intention was not trivialise or make light of the heinous crime.

Ramesh Kumar, who drew flak for his remark from various quarters, said that he would choose his words carefully henceforth.

“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!” he tweeted.

The Congress leader made the remark during the session earlier on Thursday after Karnataka Speaker Vishveshwara Kageri said that he was unable to bring the assembly under control as several MLAs sought time to discuss the farmers’ issue.

“I feel, let’s enjoy the situation. I can’t keep this under control and take it forward in a systematic way,” said Kageri.

Responding to the Karnataka Assembly Speaker’s comment, Ramesh Kumar said: “There’s a saying… when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it. That’s exactly the position into which you are.”

The Speaker and members of the assembly were heard breaking out into laughter post the Congress MLA’s remark. None, though, raised objection to his sexist comment.

National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma hit out at the Congress leader for his controversial remark, saying it was “extremely sad and unfortunate” that the country still has public representatives who are misogynists.

“It is extremely sad and unfortunate that we still have public representative who are misogynists and have horrible mindset towards women,” she tweeted.

This is, however, not the first that Ramesh Kumar has used such sexist remarks.

The two-time Karnataka Assembly Speaker, who is also an actor, had earlier likened himself to a “rape victim” because he was being questioned repeatedly over leaked audio tapes.

“My situation is like that of a rape victim. The rape happened just once. Had you left it at that, it would have passed. But when you complain of it and the accused is put in jail, his lawyers or people like Eshwarappa (referring to the BJP legislator) ask how did the rape happen? What time did it happen? How many times did it happen?” said the Congress leader, whose name had cropped up in an audio clip between former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa and other senior leaders that mentioned how he had allegedly taken a Rs 50 crore bribe, earlier in 2019.

“At the end of the trial, the woman will say that she was raped only once in reality, but she was raped multiple times in court during cross-examination. My situation is like that,” he then added.