Cash-For-Resignations Charge: Karnataka Assembly Speaker Feels ‘Violated’, Compares Himself To ‘Rape Survivor’

Karnataka assembly speaker K R Ramesh Kumar compared himself with a rape survivor who had to undergo the torment of explaining the heinous crime time and again in the court of law, Times of India has reported.

You can also read in Hindi- नकद लेने का आरोप- कर्नाटक विधान सभा अध्यक्ष ने खुद को बताया बलात्कार पीड़ित

According to the report, Kumar was trying to crack a joke on how his name has been recorded repeatedly in the debate over controversial audio clips that mention his name for allegedly having taken Rs 50 crore in a purported conversation between opposition leader BS Yeddyurappa, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Shivangouda Naik, and son of JD(S) MLA Naddangouda Kandakur.

“My situation is like that of a rape victim. Rape happened just once. If you had left it at that, it would have passed. When you complain that a rape has happened, accused is put in jail. But his lawyers ask how did it happen? When did it happen & how many times? Rape happens once but you get raped a 100 times in the court. This is my condition,” Speaker Kumar was quoted by ANI as saying on alleged audio clip claiming "speaker was also purchased for 50 crores to accept resignation of MLAs.”

The insensitive joke on the rape survivor was reportedly received with loud laughter from the assembly dominated by males. However, the women legislators including chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s wife Anitha Kumaraswamy remained mute spectators.