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Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday responded to criticism over his comments in connection with the Bengaluru sexual assault case, saying that it is not right to distort a statement and then insult him.
Speaking to the media, he highlighted the implementation of the Nirbhaya project, claiming Karnataka has utilized more grants for the initiative than any other state. Parameshwara also emphasized his dedication to taking strict measures for the protection of women, expressing regret if his remarks have caused offense to the nation's mothers. "I have provided many programs for women's safety, including the Nirbhaya project in the state. We have implemented the Nirbhaya project grants more than any other states in the country. It is not right to distort a statement and insult me. I have taken many strict measures to protect women. I believe that women should be protected. I regret if the mothers of the country are hurt," the Karnataka Home Minister said. The state minister Parameshwara faced criticism for his comments in context of a molestation case that took place on April 3 in Bengaluru, that such crimes are common in big cities. Parameshwara earlier said, "Incidents like these tend to happen here and there in a big city like this. Whatever legal action needs to be taken will be done in accordance with the law. I have also instructed our commissioner to increase beat patrolling." BJP national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla on Monday also condemned Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara's statement. Poonawalla termed his comments as "misogynistic" and said the minister has an "obnoxious mindset". The BJP leader claimed that the remark by the Karnataka Home Minister has shaken the conscience of the nation and also trivialised the incident. "Display of the most shocking misogynistic, patriarchal, sexist and obnoxious mindset. The Home Minister of Karnataka has trivialised the incident that has shaken the conscience of the nation and particularly the people of Karnataka and Bengaluru, particularly the women. Today, we have come across such a statement from the Home Minister of Karnataka, which has made us feel embarrassed and ashamed of ourselves..", he told reporters. The BJP national spokesperson further said that Parameshwara gave the same kind of statement in 2017 when he considered the 2017 New Year mass molestation cases as "small incidents". "But for the Congress party, an attack on the respect of women is a small incident...This is not the first time he has made such a statement. When mass molestation incidents occurred during the 2017 New Year's event, at the time also, G Parmeshwar said that this was a small incident....Today, Congress has appointed such a person as home minister again. Again, he's showing the same mindset...", Poonawalla said. (ANI)
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