BJP leader, Roopa Ganguly’s, controversial rape remark triggered people’s (esp Bengali people’s) sentiments, and they are strongly condemning her statements.
Actress-turned-politician Roopa, who used to be a prominent BJP face in the state, no longer enjoys this status after her ‘derogatory’ remarks made headlines on Friday.
Ironically, the facts of the 2016 report of National Crime Record Bureau’s (NCRB) don’t quite seem to comply with what the leader has remarked. West Bengal was reported to have the lowest number of rape cases in 2015. Unlike Rupa’s comment, four BJP ruled states top the list. Madhya Pradesh has highest numbers of rape cases—4391 registered in the year, followed by Maharastra with 4144. Rajasthan had 3644 and Uttar Pradesh is having fourth highest in rape crimes in India with 3025. However, Bengal had only 1199 rape cases reported that year. It only had 2.6% rate of the crime.
On Friday, Roopa had commented, “I dare all the parties, the ones who keep flattering the Bengal government and Congress, to send their daughters, wives, and sister-in-laws to Bengal without taking any hospitality from Banerjee. If they are able to survive for 15 days without getting raped, then tell me.”
Disgusted at Roopa’s remark, Anuradha Kapoor, a social activist, said, “Rape or any form of violence against women is a grave issue. It needs to be condemned and not used by political leaders to run down each other. Let me be clear on this point, no Indian state can boast of being crime free. Political leaders should try to eliminating social issues and malpractices and abstain from making such disgraceful comment. Keeping into account that this comes from the BJP Mahila Morcha head and Roopa Ganguly, makes it even more distasteful.”
Rupa’s remark has garnered large criticism. People feel her rape remark is damaging the reputation of Bengal.
Also read: Digging deeper into RSS guide on ethics and value
Some Bengalis have also called her ‘hungry sycophants’, who has given derogatory remarks against her own state.
Deeply shocked and angered over her comments, Bengalis are demanding legal action against Ganguly.
Some have even filed a First Information Report against her at Nimta Police station. However, the Shibu Ghosh, officer-in-charge of Nimta Police station, refused to disclose any further details.
“Yes, an FIR has been lodged against her. But we don’t want to reveal other details”, he concluded.
Also read: Survive in West Bengal without being raped, BJP MP Roopa Ganguly dares women
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