While many women are struggling with the increasing cases of rape, it is heartbreaking how even in the 21st century there are many who blame the victim. Rather than holding the rapists accountable, they tend to blame the rape victims and their parents. What is worse is that a lawmaker indulges in this behavior.
While the whole country has been mourning the death of the Hathras gangrape victim, a shameless statement by UP MLA Surendra Singh has surfaced that left many angry.
As per the sources, BJP MLA Surendra Singh Ballia on Saturday said that rape cases can be “stopped” if parents teach their daughters to behave “decently”.
While being asked his thoughts on the Hathras rape case, he said:
“Yeh ghatnaye keval sanskaar se ruk sakti hain, shashan aur talwar se rukne wala nahin hain. Sabhi mata-pita ka dharm hai ki woh apni jawan aur yuvti beti ko ek sanskari vaatavaran mein shaalin vyavhaar karne ka tareeka sikhana chahiye.
(Translated text: Such incidents can only be stopped by good values, and not by governance or sword. It is every parent’s dharma to raise their young daughters in a cultured environment and teach them to behave decently.),”
As per sources, he further added (roughly translated from Hindi) :
“If it is the government’s dharma to provide protection, it is the family’s dharma to teach good values to their children. It is only the combination of government and good values that can make the country beautiful,”
#WATCH Incidents like these can be stopped with help of good values, na shashan se na talwar se. All parents should teach their daughters good values. It’s only the combination of govt & good values that can make country beautiful: Surendra Singh, BJP MLA from Ballia. #Hathras pic.twitter.com/47AmnGByA3
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 3, 2020
It is heartbreaking how our lawmakers shamelessly blame the victims for their abuse. But, it isn’t just us who felt the anger after hearing his disgusting comments. Many netizens came forward to express their anger and disgust.
As the statement made by such UP BJP MLA-“Sandeep Singh”,that family should imbibe their daughter’s to survive in cultured environment.I am ashamed of such MLA’s how lower mentality they have and how shit they can talk,instead of guiding the so called men of society,guide girls????
— Adv. Tanu Singh (@TanuSin06) October 4, 2020
Why these type of people always blame women First they learn to speak or behave decently. It’s our bad luck that we chose these indecent people as our representatives
— Seema Bakshi (@bakshi_seema) October 4, 2020
We have been teaching the girls to behave and wear decently, not to step outside alone. But even after 100 years the daughters of India haven’t learnt anything.
— Aakanksha Karande (@CEOofBetagram) October 4, 2020
So why not now let’s start teaching the sons to keep their manlihood in control.
It’s not about clothe, it’s thinking
Oh, man. So we’re not “sanskaari” enough now? Not even amazed to know how many people who share his sick beliefs would’ve voted for him. No wonder why the country is going into shambles. @myogiadityanath @narendramodi @Uppolice
— Ruiya Tyagi (@RuiyaTyagi) October 4, 2020
This is non-sense !!
The misconception that, girls create situation for crime is rubbish !!
Its the whole generation, system and particular community who have no family teaching & political apathy to change the system is responsible…— **An unknown Indian** (@subhendubhatt) October 4, 2020
Men (boys) need to knw the meaning of consent…Stop hiding behind the veil of sanskaar…When will these fools stop talkn abt clothes…Such pedestrian talk… Its time we define the boundaries for men and make sure they stay there #boundariesformen #Hathras
— Uzzie (@UzmaFarheen9) October 4, 2020
Tha Slogan” Beti bachao”Should be changed to” Beta Sudharoo”. Due to such criminal minded upper cast young people and for their family support such heinous crime is repeatedly happening. For” Beti bachao ” from Upper cast the lower cast has to do something. Don’t blame poor.
— Dr. A. Mukhopadhyay (@nkmukk) October 4, 2020
At IFORHER, we are ashamed of how a lawmaker can make such a statement. In the times, when many parents are raising their sons to be more respectful of women, this statement is an ugly reminder of how powerful people still promote the regressive patriarchal mindset.