‘One or two rapes can happen in a big country, why the fuss?’

LUCKNOW : Union minister Santosh Gangwar said on Sunday “one or two rape cases” happen in a big country such as India and “brouhaha” should not be created over the incidents, inviting sharp criticism from political leaders and activists.

The remarks come at a time when the country is witnessing public outrage over the brutal rape and murder of an eightyear-old girl in Jammu’s Kathua and that of a 17-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao allegedly by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator. “Such incidents (rape cases) are unfortunate situation...but sometimes you can’t stop them. Government is active everywhere and taking action which is visible to everyone,” he told reporters in Bareilly.

“In a big country like ours, if one or two incidents take place, brouhaha should not be created over it. This is not fair... Government is taking effective steps...whatever is necessary will be done,” he said.

Gangwar, who is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentarian from Bareilly, holds the portfolio of minister of state (independent charge) for labour and employment.

DRAWING FLAK

Gangwar’s remarks drew sharp criticism. “They never change their mindset, Instead of being apologetic for involvement of his own party members in rapes,they are still defending rapes & rapists (sic),” tweeted the Congress’s media panellist Arjun Modhwadia. After Gangwar made the remark, the Samajwadi Party’s Bareilly president Sublesh Yadav said: “Santosh Gangwar’s statement gives an insight of how BJP ministers think of serious issues such as rape and women’s harassment.”

Following criticism, Gangwar sought to clarify his remarks. “I urge the media to cooperate and not sensationalise such cases,” the BJP leader said.