Dumka Gangrape: RJD Leader Says Item Dance, Porn On Phones Incited Crime

Shivanand Tiwari, of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), on Thursday, said that the gangrape incident in Dumka, Jharkhand was incited by "item dance, ads, pornographic content on phones" that prepare the "mindset of rape." He was quoted saying that stringent laws won't help as long as this mindset persists. The incident Tiwari is reacting to refers to the alleged gangrape by 17 men of a mother of five children, which was reported recently. 

As per a video by news agency ANI, Tiwari can be heard saying about the Dumka gangrape, "No one could've imagined there would be rape in tribal area. Item dance, ads, pornographic content on phones prepare mindset of rape. Just making stringent laws won't end it. As long as situation that incites for rape persists, you won't be able to stop it."

Watch Tiwari's video statement below:

#WATCH : No one could've imagined there would be rape in tribal area. Item dance, ads, pornographic content on phones prepare mindset of rape. Just making stringent laws won't end it. As long as situation that incites for rape persists, you won't be able to stop it: S Tiwari, RJD pic.twitter.com/xVg6jvDp3G

— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2020

Also Read: In Gwalior, Accused Rapist Sets Woman And Her 7 Year Old Daughter On Fire

About The Dumka Gangrape

According to various news reports, a woman was recently gangraped in Jharkhand's Dumka district while returning home from the market with her husband. The crime was allegedly committed by 17 men against the mother of five children, while her husband was kept captive. One of the accused was detained after a complaint was registered by the 35-year-old survivor on Wednesday at Mufassil police station. She reportedly told the police he was drunk.

On the proceedings of the case, DIG Sudarshan Mandal was quoted saying, “As per the statement of the woman, she was returning with her husband from a village market on Tuesday night when 17 people intercepted her and took her husband hostage before committing the crime.” Taking suo motu cognisance of the Jharkhand rape case, National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday asked the state police to complete their probe within two months.

Also Read: Diverse Opinions Thrive Under One Roof In India, Deal With It.

Similar Remarks By Politicians In The Past

Several politicians and public figures have made similar careless remarks in light of rape crimes against women. We brought to light such instances in the aftermath of the Hathras gangrape in September through October this year. BJP leader Ranjeet Bahadur Srivastava from UP’s Barabanki reportedly said about the Hathras victim, “The victim must have called the boy to the field because they were having an affair. This news is already out on social media and news channels. She must have gotten caught.” Read more on that here. 

Further, former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju was slammed on social media for a Facebook post on the Hathras gangrape that was deemed "sexist." He had written, "I condemn the Hathras gang rape, and call for harsh punishment of the culprits. However, having said that there is one aspect which also needs to be considered. Sex is a natural urge in men. It is sometimes said that after food, the next requirement is sex…" Read more on that here.