AP HM’s Remarks On ‘Rape’ Grab National Media Attention

Home Minister Taneti Vanitha’s remarks on the Repalle gangrape case are now being highlighted on national news media. The home minister appeared to be more interested defending their government but not understanding the gravity of the situation and the seriousness of the crime.

Speaking about the Repalle gangrape case in which a pregnant woman, who is a migrant worker, was raped by three people, including a minor, at the railway station in the midnight, Vanitha said that it was not done intentionally. She said, “The accused actually wanted to rob the couple and when they assaulted the woman’s husband for money, the woman put up resistance. They dragged her away into the bushes and as the youths were drunk, the rape occurred,” she said.

“The psychological condition of the drunk men at that time and existing circumstances led to the crime,” she affirmed.

This explanation sounds absurd and cannot be expected from anybody. Vanitha is the home minister, representing a state, but she seems to be forgetting it and speaking very light of the heinous crime, the TDP leaders pointed out. Law and order have gone for a toss under the YCP rule and atrocities against women have increased, they said.

On the other hand, there is an argument that the rising sale of narcotic drugs and ganja in the state is leading to more crimes.

Mother’s responsibility

A day before the Repalle incident, Vanitha also made a statement that it was the responsibility of mothers to ensure safety of children. She said that it was not right to blame the police or government for such incidents. However, the remarks by the minister surfaced on social media a day after the Repalle incident.

The minister said, “It is not right to blame the police without the mother herself being responsible. First, fulfil the responsibilities of a mother and if a problem persists even after that, one can approach the police station.”

Kommineni speaks

Meanwhile, popular anchor Kommineni Srinivasa Rao, who joined Sakshi TV some time ago, said that rapes are a common occurrence. In the 70s too, rapes used to happen but the reports were buried in the inner pages of newspapers or published in the district news editions but now, they are being highlighted and making headlines in the front pages.