Amid the massive outrage over the gang-rape incident of a 22-year-old student in Mysuru days back, the University of Mysore has released a circular mentioning the rules to be followed by female students. As per the notice, girls are banned from going to the Mansangotriya campus of the educational institution beyond 6.30 pm every day.
The absurd order was matched with a similar one where the students are prohibited from entering the Kukkarahalli lake campus after 6.30 pm. The rules were issued in view of the atrocity against the student. It is being seen as a replication of the previous comments made by the Home Minister of Karnataka Araga Jnanendra.
The university defended its notice, stating that it has been issued “on the verbal direction of the police department”. Additional security guards will be present patrolling the campus area from 6 pm to 6 am daily.
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While the country was demanding strict action against the criminals for their obnoxious act, the Home Minister went ahead with the age-old victim-blaming chants and called out the victim and her friend, who was assaulted, for going into the area. He said they “should not have gone (to the scene of the crime)… it is a deserted place…”
“Around 7-7.30 pm (on Tuesday), they (the student and her friend) had gone there… it is a deserted place. They should not have gone but we can’t stop anyone from going… It is a deserted place and no one usually goes there as no one will be there,” the minister was quoted saying.
He did not stop there and proceeded to use the term “rape” very lightly against the opposition party Congress. “… the Congress was trying to rape me.. they are trying to rape the Home Minister. They are trying to gain political mileage. It is an inhuman act,” he said.
His comments were met with fierce criticism and uproar from several people, including the Chief Minister who chose to part away from Jnanendra’s words.
CM Basavaraj Bommai said, “I just don’t agree with the comments made by my Home Minister regarding the gang-rape incident. I have directed the officials to pursue the matter seriously and update me on the developments.”
It also received backlash from the Congress party. Karnataka Congress chief DK Sivakumar attacked the minister for using the word as if it is a common one, with a sarcastic statement mentioning if Jnanendra actually “likes the word”.
“Home Minister… you have the onus of protecting the state. Are you not ashamed of making such a shabby remark?” Mr Sivakumar said.
