Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar sparks row with remark on rape

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who sparked an outrage with his comments on rapes, said on Sunday that his claim of victims and accused being known to each other in several cases is backed by investigations.

On the row over his comments, he said rape should not be politicised. "[My] statement has been twisted. I had said which is on record and I will again state it that during investigation in such cases, it was revealed that about 80 per cent of incidents took place between known. But there is a need to bring awareness in the society. There should not be any politics on this issue," Khattar said.

At a function in Kalka of Panchkula district on Friday, Khattar had said: "The incidents of rape have not increased. Rapes used to take place in the past and even today as well. [Only] the concern [over such incidents] has increased."

"The biggest concern is that in 80 to 90 per cent of rape and eve-teasing cases, the accused and the victim know each other," he added.

The Congress attacked him for misogyny. "Humiliating India's daughters and women has become a characteristic style of BJP leaders," said Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too condemned the remark, saying, "Women say that when a chief minister can make such comments against them, how can women be safe in his state."