New Delhi: The Karnataka home minister said on Thursday, August 26, that the Mysuru gang-rape survivor and her friend should not have ventured to a deserted place and that the Congress was trying to "rape" him by politicising the issue.

An MBA student was allegedly raped by five men near Chamundi Hill in Mysuru on Tuesday, August 17. The woman and her friend, who was assaulted by the men, are undergoing treatment in a private hospital.

Araga Jnanendra's statements on the survivor and his glib comment came after the Congress said the Karnataka government was "incapable" of protecting the people of the state.

"Around 7-7:30 pm (on Tuesday) they (the victim and male friend) had gone there, it is a deserted place, they should not have gone, but we can't stop anyone from going, they have gone. It is a deserted place and no one usually goes there as no one will be there," Jnanendra told reporters in response to a question.

Jnanendra then reacted to Congress's criticism.

"Rape has happened there (in Mysuru), but Congress is trying to rape me, they are trying to rape the home minister. They are trying to gain political mileage. it is an inhuman act," he said.

He then spoke further on Congress's conduct.

"When such incidents happen, instead of exerting pressure to see it from a humanitarian perspective and detect (the culprits), attempts are on to get political mileage in such a situation. People will see it. I will not say much on this. Instructions have been given on what has to be done by the police, so that such things don't recur and we are at it," he said.

The Hindu has reported that when asked to explain his statement, he told reporters that he meant it as a "joke", and did not intend to hurt anyone.

Congress reaction

State Congress president D.K. Shivakumar said the home minister should arrest Congress members he is accusing of the crime.

"He (Home Minister) has claimed that Congress was raping him, he is using the word rape very lightly...it seems he likes that word. I seek the response of BJP leaders on this statement. When home minister is saying that Congress is raping him, what is the administration of the state doing?" he said.

Targeting Jnanendra for his comment that the victim should not have gone to deserted place, the Congress party said, "Home Minister you have the onus of protecting the state, are you not ashamed of making such a shabby remark?"

(With PTI inputs)

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