Bengaluru: Senior Karnataka Congress leader and former Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday made a sexist and shocking comment on rape in the state Assembly.
Speaking in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Kumar said, "There is a saying that when rape is inevitable, lie down and enjoy it. That is exactly the position in which you are."
When the debate on crop loss due to untimely rain was drawn-out, more members sought time to speak on the issue, which led to the Speaker saying that his position was like someone who is forced to enjoy an unfortunate situation when it is being forced on one.
"Whatever you decide I will say yes. What I am thinking is that let us enjoy the situation. I can't control or regulate the system, my concern is about the business of the house, it has also to be covered," the Speaker told the members.
When the Congress MLA made the offensive remark, other members including the Speaker were seen and heard laughing.
Instead of condemning the remarks, other members of the house indulged in laughter.
It is not the first time that KR Ramesh Kumar has made such a distasteful comment. Previously, during his tenure as Karnataka Assembly Speaker, he had compared himself to a rape survivor.
Legislators including his party's woman members protested in the session and condemned the statement made by him.
