Outrage as Indian guru blames rape victim
2013-01-08 10:32
New Delhi - A popular Indian spiritual guru sparked a backlash on Tuesday
after saying a 23-year-old student could have averted a murderous gang-rape by
begging for mercy from her attackers.
Self-styled godman Asharam, known to his followers as "Bapu" or
father, told his devotees that blame for the assault on a moving bus in New
Delhi on 16 December should not just rest with her attackers.
"This tragedy would not have happened if she had chanted God's name and
fallen at the feet of the attackers. The error was not committed by just one
side," he said in video footage which has been widely circulated on the internet.
The 71-year-old's remarks - the latest in a series of gaffes by public
figures blaming women for the country's rape epidemic - drew a chorus of
condemnation.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, spokesperson for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP), said the statement was "deeply disturbing and painful".
"For him to make the statement in relation to a crime which has shocked
the conscience of the country is not only unfortunate but deeply
regrettable," he told reporters.
'Disgrace'
The Hindu newspaper said it was "a disgrace when a man of religion
stoops so low".
"Asharam deserves to be condemned in the strongest words," the
daily added in an editorial.
The editorial also criticised politicians from the ruling Congress party as
well as the BJP for their sexist commentary on the Delhi rape and the need for
Indian women to stay home and make traditional choices.
"Their notions of... an ideal society appear rooted in the very
prejudices that have engendered a culture of violence against women, the Delhi
incident being its most recent and horrific manifestation," the newspaper
said.
Abhijit Mukherjee, the son of India's president who is a Congress lawmaker,
landed himself in hot water last month after comparing women who took part in
protests over the gang-rape to patched up second-hand cars.
Five men have been charged with rape and murder in the 16 December attack on
the young student. A sixth accused, who is 17, is to be tried in a separate
court for juveniles.
