UP Minister says not all rapes are equal, wonders if married women above 30 can be sexually abused The UP Minister of State was quoted saying by ANI UP: “Dekhiye rape ka nature hota hai, ab jaise agar koi nabalig ladki hai uske sath rape hua hai toh usko to hum rape manenge. Lekin kahin kahin pe ye bhi sunne ko aata hai ko ki vivahit mahila hai, umar 30-35 saal hai....uska alag-alag nature hai. (Rape cases are different. If there is a minor girl who has been raped, we consider it rape. But in some cases, we see married women, who are 30-35 years of age, that’s of another nature.” ANI

Jun 9, 2019, 08:38 PM IST Even as the nation outrages about the murder of a 2-year-old in Aligarh, UP Minister Upendra Tiwari’s remarks on rape are likely to further rile up a storm. The UP Minister of State was quoted saying by ANI UP: “Dekhiye rape ka nature hota hai, ab jaise agar koi nabalig ladki hai uske sath rape hua hai toh usko to hum rape manenge. Lekin kahin kahin pe ye bhi sunne ko aata hai ko ki vivahit mahila hai, umar 30-35 saal hai....uska alag-alag nature hai. (Rape cases are different. If there is a minor girl who has been raped, we consider it rape. But in some cases, we see married women, who are 30-35 years of age, that’s of another nature.” #WATCH UP Minister Upendra Tiwari: Dekhiye rape ka nature hota hai, ab jaise agar koi nabalig ladki hai uske sath rape hua hai toh usko to hum rape manenge, lekin kahin-kahin pe ye bhi sunne ko aata hai ko ki vivahit mahila hai, umar 30-35 saal hai....uska alag-alag nature hai pic.twitter.com/Ou1AMPsvGB — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 9, 2019

1. Women claim rape after romantic relationships

1/4 Speaking to the media, the Minister of State for Water Resources, forest and environment added that women complained about ‘rape after being in a romantic relationship for several years’ and said they should complain ‘about it when it happens and not years later’. The minister's comment comes at a time when Uttar Pradesh is reeling under a spate of rape incidents including the killing of two and a half years old girl - Twinkle Sharma - in Aligarh over some financial dispute with her father. The main accused, Zahid, has been arrested by the police.



2. On journalist being arrested

2/4 Referring to the recent arrest of a journalist for allegedly making 'objectionable' statements against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Tiwari said: "The journalists are responsible for what they disseminate in the form of news." "Every media person should check the facts before publishing anything on social media. If the woman has any facts to prove her claims, let her show those proofs," he said. A freelance journalist, Prashant Kanojia, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday for making certain 'objectionable comments' against Chief Minister Adityanath on social media and for 'spreading rumours.' He had allegedly uploaded a video on Twitter in which a woman is heard making some claims about Adityanath. Kanojia had posted a comment with the video, that says "Ishq Chhupta Nahi Chhupane Se Yogi ji." Kanojia has been booked Section 500 (defamation), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form).



3. Escalating tensions in Aligarh

3/4 Amid escalating tensions over the alleged murder of a 2.5 years old girl here, contingents of security forces were deployed and a flag march was carried out in the vicinity on Sunday to prevent any untoward incident from happening.

Over 8 companies of Rapid Action Force and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) along with police were deployed. Anti-riot vehicles also have been pressed into action.

Over the last two days, a message has been doing rounds on social media calling for a 'Mahapanchayat' in wake of the murder.

The police, however, claimed that the said gathering has been called off. "We have talked to prominent people of the society and they have expressed their satisfaction over the police action so far. The Mahapanchayat has been called off," Rural Superintendent of Police Manilal Patidar said.

"Nevertheless if some people do come here given they may not be aware of the latest development, we have made necessary arrangements to deal with them. We will not allow any untoward incident from taking place," he added.



4. Security beefed up