CBI chief ‘regrets’ his rape remark
15 Nov 2013 5:02 AM IST
Explaining his stance on legalising sports betting in India, Sinha had made a comment that had stirred the proverbial hornet’s nest on Tuesday evening. The CBI director, who was on the panel of a session titled ‘Ethics and integrity in sports - need for a law and role of CBI’, had said on Tuesday night that there was no harm in legalising betting in India since it was already widespread a practice and it was difficult to monitor every instance of the currently illegal activity. However, Sinha went on to compare betting with rape saying, ‘If you cannot enforce the ban on betting, it is like saying if you can’t prevent rape, you enjoy it.’
On Wednesday, after facing the wrath from all quarters of the media, civil society as well as social media sites such as Twitter, which were abuzz with commentaries and expressions of shock and anguish over the Bureau chief’s distasteful remark, Sinha issued a clarification to check the damage and disservice done to the country’s top investigating agency.
‘I gave my opinion that betting should be legalised and that if the laws cannot be enforced that does not mean that laws should not be made. This is as erroneous as saying that if rape is inevitable one should lie back and enjoy it,’ his statement on Wednesday said, adding, ‘I regret any hurt caused as the same was inadvertent and unintended. I reiterate my deep sense of regard and respect for women and commitment to gender issues.’
Sinha on Wednesday maintained that the law should be strictly enforced and absence of enforcement or lack of will for does not mean that law should not be made. The CBI chief’s statement followed angry reactions from several women’s organisations including National Commission for Women on Wednesday. Even as several women leaders condemned Sinha’s remarks, NCW member Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar called his apology as meaningless and said, ‘He should have not made such a comment in first place.’
‘Ranjit Sinha has made a controversial statement. We not only condemn it, but also protest against it. How can he make comparison with a heinous offence like rape when the rape laws are changing? We will take proper action and will definitely see to it that such a kind of thing is not tolerated,’ she added.
CPM leader Brinda Karat condemned Sinha’s statement and demanded his resignation.
‘I am absolutely outraged that an officer from a responsible office can make such an utterly offensive analysis. I do believe that there should be a strong message sent that it is just intolerable and he has to quit office,’ Karat said. ‘If the head of this agency trivialises sexual assault in this manner, what is the message which goes to those who are investigating the cases,’ Karat added.
On Wednesday, after facing the wrath from all quarters of the media, civil society as well as social media sites such as Twitter, which were abuzz with commentaries and expressions of shock and anguish over the Bureau chief’s distasteful remark, Sinha issued a clarification to check the damage and disservice done to the country’s top investigating agency.
‘I gave my opinion that betting should be legalised and that if the laws cannot be enforced that does not mean that laws should not be made. This is as erroneous as saying that if rape is inevitable one should lie back and enjoy it,’ his statement on Wednesday said, adding, ‘I regret any hurt caused as the same was inadvertent and unintended. I reiterate my deep sense of regard and respect for women and commitment to gender issues.’
Sinha on Wednesday maintained that the law should be strictly enforced and absence of enforcement or lack of will for does not mean that law should not be made. The CBI chief’s statement followed angry reactions from several women’s organisations including National Commission for Women on Wednesday. Even as several women leaders condemned Sinha’s remarks, NCW member Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar called his apology as meaningless and said, ‘He should have not made such a comment in first place.’
‘Ranjit Sinha has made a controversial statement. We not only condemn it, but also protest against it. How can he make comparison with a heinous offence like rape when the rape laws are changing? We will take proper action and will definitely see to it that such a kind of thing is not tolerated,’ she added.
CPM leader Brinda Karat condemned Sinha’s statement and demanded his resignation.
‘I am absolutely outraged that an officer from a responsible office can make such an utterly offensive analysis. I do believe that there should be a strong message sent that it is just intolerable and he has to quit office,’ Karat said. ‘If the head of this agency trivialises sexual assault in this manner, what is the message which goes to those who are investigating the cases,’ Karat added.
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