A day after his apparently misogynist statements about the spate of rapes in the state, Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) member Dharamvir Goyat on Friday retracted his utterance that "90% women who are raped willingly accompany the men initially but are trapped in gangrapes later".
His statement had led to nationwide condemnation, and the party has thus sought to distance itself from the episode. The Hisar district Congress Committee chief, Jai Prakash, even claimed that Goyat was not a spokesperson of the unit, even though Goyat has been issuing public statements in that capacity for months.
Goyat claimed on Friday, "I have not commented against women. After the press conference (in Hisar) was over, I was informally talking to some newsmen and shared by views on the basis of general talk going on among the people. I did not speak on behalf of the Congress party or the government. A section of electronic media misreported that I have stated that 90% raped girls go with men willingly."
His clarification came even though he had made the comment from the press conference platform.
Meanwhile, former union minister and Hisar DCC chief Jai Prakash told HT on phone, "Dharamvir Goyat is not a spokesperson of the party. He gave the statement on his own and was not authorised to do so. The state unit chief has already sought explanation from him."
His clarification came even though he had made the comment from the press conference platform.
Meanwhile, former union minister and Hisar DCC chief Jai Prakash told HT on phone, "Dharamvir Goyat is not a spokesperson of the party. He gave the statement on his own and was not authorised to do so. The state unit chief has already sought explanation from him."
Jai Prakash added, "I and the chief minister are very concerned over the rape incidents. The police are taking prompt action. I urge the opposition leaders to exercise restraint and avoid politics on this issue. They should come up with constructive suggestions instead."