Chhattisgarh home minister Nankiram Kanwar has drawn flak from all quarters for describing rape of women as mere “cheerharan” (a misdemeanour).
“There is nothing new and unusual in rape incidents. Rapes are like ‘cheerharan’ (disrobing) of women, which has been taking place since ages”, Mr Kanwar told reporters at Korba, nearly 100 km from here, on Thursday evening.
He however hastened to dub the rape incidents as “unfortunate”.
The tribal minister not long ago had drawn ire of civil rights activists when explained that “women are raped because of their unfavourable stars”.
He however denied the reports that rape incidents were on the rise in Chhattisgarh, saying that all kinds of violence against women have considerably been curbed in the past few years.
The Opposition Congress here on Friday condemned Mr Kanwar for describing rapes as minor wrongdoing and demanded a public apology from him.