Gang Rape Of Minors: Furore Over Goa CM’s Insensitive Comments

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has been facing the heat from the Opposition over the gang rape of two minor girls on a beach. Now, he has plunged into deeper trouble following his insensitive comments on the incident.

“When 14-year-olds stay on the beach the whole night, the parents need to introspect. Just because children don’t listen, we cannot put the responsibility on the government and police,” the CM, who is also home minister, said during a debate in the assembly.

“Of the 10 youths who went to the beach for a party, two boys and two girls stayed on the beach the whole night and the remaining six went home,” Sawant had said.

He remarked that parents have a duty to ensure their children’s safety, especially if they are minors.

The Congress countered by saying that law and order had deteriorated in Goa.

“Why should we fear while moving around at night? Criminals should be in jail and law-abiding citizens should be out freely moving around,” spokesperson Altone D’Costa said.

Goa Forward Party demanded the resignation of the CM.

“The safety of citizens is the responsibility of the police and the state government. If they can’t provide it to us, the CM has no right to sit in the post,” party spokesperson Vijai Sardesai said.

Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte tweeted: “It is shocking that @goacm is blaming parents for allowing their children to venture out in the night claiming that it is not safe. If State govt can’t assure us our security, who can give it? Goa has a history of being safe state for women, that tag is being lost in @BJP4Goa rule.”

The alleged incident took place on Benaulim beach, around 30 km south of Panjim, on Sunday.

Four men, including a government employee, have been arrested and charged with raping two girls after beating up their male companions.