In midst of hijab row in Karnataka’s schools and colleges, recently, a Congress MLA from the state made a ridiculous statement. He said that the rape cases are high in India because some women don’t wear hijab.
“Hijab means ‘parda’ (veil) in Islam. It is for hiding the beauty of girls when they come of age. Today you can see that the rape rate is the highest in our country. What do you think is the reason for this? The reason is that several women don’t wear hijab,” said the MLA, Zameer Ahmed.
Building on his illogical thought, the Congress MLA, speaking to news agency ANI, said, “But, wearing hijab is not compulsory, only those who want to protect themselves and those who don’t want to show their beauty to everyone wear it. This has been in practice for years.”
#WATCH | Hijab means ‘Parda’ in Islam…to hide the beauty of women…women get raped when they don’t wear Hijab: Congress leader Zameer Ahmed on #HijabRow in Hubli, Karnataka pic.twitter.com/8Ole8wjLQF
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2022
Many netizens came forward to express anger on the misogynistic statement:
Regressive, misogynist words by KA Congress leaders—CM Ibrahim, @BZZameerAhmedK, etc—ironically hurt cause of #hijab-in-school backers
— Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ (@ChetanAhimsa) February 13, 2022
A woman’s clothing or age has nothing to do w/ rape—Zameer’s claim that women get raped when they don’t wear hijabs is unadulterated demagoguery pic.twitter.com/Lkw7I7Jzo5
I love how these people want to pretend that women don’t get raped in places where they wear a full burka, niqab, etc. Even when an entire culture agrees that women showing skin is the problem, it turns out it’s still not the problem. Rapists are the problem
— Cooper (@Cooperstreaming) February 13, 2022
Congress Leader Stirs Controversy, Claims ‘Women Get Raped When They Don’t Wear Hijab’
— Intolerant Indian ॐ (@babureddyh) February 14, 2022
He’s asking women 2 cover, but not asking men to control their urge. That’s progressive #INC for you.
Seems this is the reason for @priyankagandhi statement on Hijab.https://t.co/1tC00L9Iq2
“Women Get Raped When They Don’t Wear Hijab”
Most disgusting statement I have ever heard. https://t.co/LQqgVNwJdJ— LoveLy Jha🇮🇳❤️SJian❤️ (@AsyaLiciousLife) February 13, 2022
If women get raped when they don’t wear Hijab then it’s the problem of men. Discipline them, not women.
— Harry (@__Hrry__) February 13, 2022
But, Zameer is not the first political leader, who has made misogynistic statements blaming women’s attire for men going astray and harassing them.
A few days back, Karnataka BJP MLA M P Renukacharya claimed that rape cases are increasing as some dresses worn by women ‘excite’ men. This was when he tried to make his case for girl students in colleges to either wear uniform or wear dresses that fully cover their body. Later realizing that his remarks would stir controversy, the political secretary to the Chief Minister said that he would apologize to women if his statement has hurt them.
It is heartbreaking how even in the 21st century, some powerful men are blaming women’s attire for increasing rape cases. It is a matter of shame that rather than teaching our men to control themselves, we want to control women!
ALSO READ: Sonam Kapoor Trolled For Asking If Turban Can Be A Choice, Why Not Hijab
We don’t understand why our politicians are so obsessed with women’s clothes. We wish these politicians could understand that if they want to solve the issue of women’s abuse – they need to raise better men rather than controlling women!
Do let us know what you think about these regressive statements!