Mumba: Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam was pulled up by both the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minster Ajit Pawar for his insensitive remarks on the victim of the Pune Swargate rape. Interestingly, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is Kadam’s party boss, preferred to keep mum on the issue.
About Minister Yogesh Kadam’s Remarks
Kadam’s statement – that the victim did not scream for help during the rape had made it easier for the accused to commit the crime; if she had screamed, people nearby would have helped – put the Mahayuti government in an embarrassing situation. Reacting to this, the CM said, “Kadam is a new minister, and my advice to him is that in such sensitive cases, one must speak with greater awareness and sensitivity. A wrong statement can have a negative impact on society.”
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar was also caustic in his reaction. He should make comments with restraint, said the district guardian minister of Pune, who, soon after the incident that came to light on Thursday, said his head hangs in shame.
Kadam had also said that the CCTV footage of the Swargate bus station, where the incident took place, shows that around 10 to 12 people were present at the bus stand when the incident occurred. Soon after his statement became viral, Kadam received a barrage of criticism. He was termed as insensitive and unable to understand the seriousness of the crime.
When Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was asked to comment, he tried to save his deputy from further embarrassment, telling media persons that the remarks by Yogesh Kadam had been taken out of context. Swargate depot was a crowded area with many people present and that the crime took place in a bus parked outside, and his point was that no one had noticed it. Kadam was trolled on social media platforms as well.
Shiv Sena-UBT Leader Sanjay Raut Criticises Govt’s Handling Of The Case
The opposition, too, minced no words. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticized the government’s handling of the case, asking, “The minister says there was no struggle, and the rape happened silently. Is this the stance of the Minister of State for Home? Then what should be done?”
Statement Of Congress Leader Vijar Wadettiwar
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “According to the minister, the victim did not resist. This means they are putting the blame on the victim instead of holding the culprit accountable. Ministers should be ashamed while making such statements.”
He added, “As soon as it was revealed that the accused is a worker of a ruling party MLA, the Mahayuti government seems to be trying to defend and protect the rapist.”
Yogesh Kadam, for his part, came forward to say that his remarks were being misinterpreted by the opposition. He explained that during his visit to the Swargate depot, he observed that it was a busy area. He had asked the police how could such a crime occur in a crowded place without anyone intervening. Kadam claimed that he merely repeated the police’s response during the press conference.
