Chandigarh gang-rape: BJP MP Kirron Kher attacked for blaming the survivor

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Chandigarh Kirron Kher finds herself in the firing line for blaming a gang-rape survivor for the sexual assault that took place on her earlier this month.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Kher remarked that the 21-year-old victim should not have boarded the autorickshaw after she saw three men already inside the vehicle.

The woman was gang-raped in an autorickshaw on the night Nov 19, allegedly by the driver and two passengers in a desolate neighbourhood of Chandigarh. She reportedly boarded the autorickshaw around 8.30 PM from Sector 37 in Chandigarh as she was returning from a stenography coaching class to reach her home in Mohali, where she lodges as a paying guest.

Social media quickly erupted after Kirron’s controversial remark, with many saying that it’s unacceptable to blame the victim for her rape. Those voicing their disapproval of her remarks suggested that instead of telling women to be alert and aware, she should have stressed on the need for making cities safer for women.

“See the attitude of the Lutyens elite of BJP. A suit-boot ki sarkar will never understand what it feels like to be a woman stranded on a street and getting increasingly desperate with each passing minute because no public transport is in sight,” a Twitter user wrote.

Another Twitter user proposed that a woman shouldn’t be allowed to board a vehicle in the evening hours unless there is security provided by authorities.

Yet another Twitter user took a mocking tone as he attacked the BJP leader.

Former former MP of Congress Pawan Kumar Bansal also weighed in the controversy, saying, “She (Kher) instead needed to tell how she is going to make Chandigarh a safer place.” for women.”

Despite all the criticism, Kher refused to retract her remarks. “Those who are playing politics over my statement should be ashamed of themselves,” she said on Thursday.