Chandigarh gang-rape: Shouldn't board auto if men inside, says MP
BJP MP Kirron Kher created controversy when she seemingly put some blame on the Chandigarh gang-rape victim. "Talking about maturity, I want to say, not just her but to all girls, that when three men are sitting in an autorickshaw, you shouldn't board it." She reminisced about how she used to take care of herself in Mumbai. But her comments have drawn massive flak.
About the Chandigarh gang-rape case
On November 17, a 21-year-old woman was returning from Sector 37 to Mohali. When she hailed an auto, two men were already inside. They and the driver gang-raped her and dumped her in Sector 53. Police later said it was planned. "The men were drunk and were looking for a victim." However, their faces were captured in a security camera at a petrol pump.
After arrest, one accused allegedly attempted suicide in jail
The driver was arrested a week later. 29-year-old Mohammed Irfan, who hails from UP, was staying in Zirakpur adjoining Chandigarh. The other two 21-year-old men, Kismat Ali and Mohammad Garib, were nabbed the next day from UP's Amethi and Faizabad respectively. In Burail Jail, Irfan allegedly attempted suicide by stabbing himself multiple times with a piece of glass. He is now stable.
BJP MP Kirron Kher addresses media
'People should educate boys, girls should take care of themselves'
Addressing a press conference, Kher said, "When we commuted by taxi in Mumbai, we used to provide the taxi number to a known person, because we want our safety as girls." "People should educate their boys. Even in the family, when father doesn't respect mother, that creates an impact on the kids," she said, adding she "really felt sad" for the victim.
Twitterati outraged over Kher's comments
Kher's comments triggered outrage on social media. "A suit-boot ki sarkar will never understand what it feels like to be a woman stranded on a street," said journalist Anna MM Vetticad. "Kirron Kher is right. The victim should have bought a BMW and hired 5 armed guards," tweeted comedian Sorabh Pant. "First teach the man to respect a woman," posted @CoutinhoMaclean.
