‘Enjoy Rape’: Congress MLA’s Derogatory Remarks In Karnataka Assembly Sparks Row

“There is a saying that if rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it” – such a comment was recently made on the floor of the Karnataka Assembly. Senior Congress MLA and former Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar courted controversy by making such sexist remark on rape.

In the ongoing winter session of Karnataka Assembly, the Congress leader said “There is a saying that if rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it. That’s exactly the situation into which you are.” Kumar made this distasteful remark when legislators began to demand time from Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde to discuss farmers' issues in the Assembly.

Shockingly, several MLAs in the House including the Speaker laughed at ‘rape remark’ which has been captured on camera.

The video soon spread like wildfire and invited sharp criticism from all corners. Activist Brinda Adige termed this shameful and demanded Congress leadership to take cognizance and punish the concerned MLA. 

Seeking an apology, Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar said that his intention was not to trivialize or make light of the heinous crime but an off the cuff remark.

This is not the first time that Ramesh Kumar has stirred a controversy. Earlier during his term as Speaker in 2019, Kumar had made similar comments where he compared himself to a rape victim.