Even though we are living in 21st century, it is heart-breaking how our society tend to shame women for being raped. Recently when Goa’s chief minister, Pramod Sawant, shamed a 14-year-old for being raped, his statement didn’t sit well with many.
It is a matter of shame that rather than holding the perpetrators accountable, and taking measures for women safety, the Chief Minister decided to indulge in victim-shaming.
As per sources, on Wednesday, Sawant told the state assembly that the parents of teenagers need to introspect as to why their children hang out on the state’s beaches after dark. Sawant mentioned it in the response of opposition accusation of breakdown in the law and order situation in Goa, after two minor girls were allegedly raped on the popular Colva beach in South Goa on the night of July 24.
During the Monsoon Session of the state Assembly, the CM said:
“Ten children went for a party on the beach. Out of the 10, six returned home . The remaining four, including two boys and two girls, stayed on the beach the whole night. When a 14-year old girl spends the night on the beach, the parents too have to introspect, they too should be taking care…It is also our responsibility. Just because children are not listening (to their parents), we cannot leave all the responsibility to the police,”
Four persons, namely Asif Hateli, 21, Rajesh Mane, 33, Gajanand Chinchankar, 31, and Nitin Yabbal, 19, have been arrested in connection with the alleged rape incident. Meanwhile, the CM Sawant faced a lot of flak on social media for his inappropriate comment about shaming victim for being raped.
Would have he said this if it was his daughter????
— Libra |🐧| (@whateverbutbad) July 29, 2021
Instead of taking action against rapist .He is blaming a girl . This is very shameful and disappointing
— Anjali Chandrawanse (@Anjali_5118) July 29, 2021
So there are 2 things here, saying that minors were out late night hence got raped is not right thing to say. As rapes also happen by forcibly entering houses.
— Chinar shah (@chinar23) July 29, 2021
Never fails to disgust me how such a violently brutal act is twisted to make it the fault of the girl or woman.
— Larissa (@larissafernand) July 29, 2021
Why was she out?
How was she dressed?
What was her “character”?
Why was she alone?
Was she drinking?
Was she flirting?
@DrPramodPSawant BLAME RAPIST NOT THE VICTIM.
— Anvi Mishra (@Anvi_tweets) July 29, 2021
@DrPramodPSawant BLAME RAPIST NOT THE VICTIM.
— Anvi Mishra (@Anvi_tweets) July 29, 2021
Such a cheap mentality @DrPramodPSawant has by blaming the minors n their parents.
Goa will slowly be the unsafe place if such crimes r increase.— Santu Peter Rodrigues (@SantuPeter) July 29, 2021
So question every thing but not be answerable, no accountability …
— Neha (@Neha72637319) July 29, 2021
Sir they were on beach becoz they thought they could be, they forgot they will be mocked even if someone comes and rape them..there will be questions and questions on victims but nothing on culprits
Tomorrow he will say why are these girls being born.
— Teddy Abraham (@TeddyAbraham1) July 29, 2021
Do let us know what you think!