Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Aam Aadmi Party has slammed the Chief MInister Dr PRamod Sawant over his statement on Benaulim rape case and teh subsequent rejoinder, which they said was a cover-up.
“After facing backlash from the opposition for victim shaming, CM Sawant attempted a cover up by making a personal appeal. This statement is not only misplaced but a poor attempt at cleaning up the mess he created as the head of a state. As a father, he should have been even more sensitive to the unfortunate incident, and should have offered full support to the rape victims and their parents to tide over this difficult time. But instead, he absolved himself and his government of any and every responsibility, and put the blame on the victims and their parents,” AAP Convenor Rahul Mhambre said.
He said that within the last one week three cases of rape against women have been reported across the State. The perpetrators of the crime will only be emboldened if the state Chief Minister blames the women and young girls.
“It’s shocking that instead of holding the culprits accountable and safeguarding Goan daughters, the Goa Chief Minister blamed the parents of the girls for the unfortunate incident,” said AAP Goa Convenor Rahul Mhambre.
“When he said – Is it right to be on the beach during wee hours? – CM Sawant made his stand on the rape very clear. As the Chief Minister of Goa, is his responsibility to protect the people, or to embolden rapists and culprits? If this was his way of apologising for his sexist and anti-women statements, it is already too late. By his stand on the rape, he has already sent out a message that the burden of safety lies on Goa’s women,” AAP’s Pratima Coutinho said.
Countinho added, “Nobody took your statement out of context. Now that you are exposed, you are trying to use emotions to fool Goans. Pramod Bab, all parents love their daughters. The difference between your daughter and our daughter is that you have bodyguards to protect and we have to rely on police forces. Had your police been doing their job, this unfortunate incident could have been avoided. What action have you taken against the police? Who was in incharge of night patrolling when the incident happened?
AAP’s Adv Sushma Gaude said,“CM Sawant covered up by saying that the pain of the incident is inexplicable because he also has a 14 year old daughter. If you really could feel the pain of those parents, you should have visited them, but you constantly blamed them.
Adv Sushma added, “If he cannot take responsibility for the safety of Goan daughters, Pramod Sawant should resign.”
