BJP today hit out at Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara for his alleged objectionable comments on a reported sexual assault incident in Bengaluru. Talking to media in New Delhi, party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asked Congress to clarify when it will seek the resignation of Mr Parameshwara.
He said the Congress leader’s remarks that such reported small incidents happen in big cities have trivialised the incident that has shaken the conscience of the nation. Mr Poonawalla also questioned senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi over the issue.
The Karnataka minister had made comments after a video of the woman being followed and molested in Bengaluru came to the fore on social media.
( A woman was groped by a man in the middle of the night in Bengaluru, reportedly on April 3. CCTV footage of the incident has gone viral on social media.)
The BJP said the viral CCTV camera footage of the incident has exposed the reality of Karnataka capital’s law and order situation and claimed that Bengaluru is becoming “increasingly unsafe” for women, NDTV reported. The BJP’s reaction comes after Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara sparked controversy after reacting to the disturbing case of sexual harassment in Bengaluru by saying that such incidents are “common in big cities”.
BJP spokesperson Prashanth G said, “This is such an insensitive remark. Is he normalising sexual assault and crimes against women? He is shying away from responsibility and doesn’t want to be accountable.”
BJP MLA and former deputy chief minister Ashwath Narayan said the state home minister’s remark reflects his helplessness, NDTV reported.
“The groping incident is condemnable. The home minister’s response is disgusting and demotivating. People are losing confidence because of these incidents and statements. His statement shows how helpless he is as a home minister. He should make a responsible statement,” NDTV quoted Narayana as saying.
“The groping incident is condemnable. The home minister’s response is disgusting and demotivating. People are losing confidence because of these incidents and statements. His statement shows how helpless he is as a home minister. He should make a responsible statement,” NDTV quoted Narayana as saying.