The last time KR Ramesh Kumar made headlines was with his outrageous “enjoy rape” comment. (File photo)
Bengaluru:
Congress MLA and former speaker in Karnataka assembly KR Ramesh Kumar, known for his unfiltered comments, has sparked new controversy by saying congressional leaders have made “enough” in the name of Nehru-Gandhis “to give us the next three to four generations to last”.
Speaking at the Congress Party protest in Freedom Park in Bengaluru, while Party Chief Sonia Gandhi was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, Mr Kumar said: “We have made enough to last for the next three to four generations in the name of Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi”.
“Now, if we’re not ready to repay those debts, I’m afraid the food we eat will be contaminated with worms,” he added.
The comments are expected to play into the hands of the state’s ruling BJP, which has repeatedly accused Congress of corruption. It is also unlikely that Mr Kumar will be liked by his colleagues, several of whom are under the scanner of the central investigative services.
The last time Kumar made headlines was with his outrageous “enjoy rape” comment.
In December, during a discussion on peasant issues in the state assembly, Chairman Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri had wondered how everyone can get time to speak given the time constraints.
“Whatever you decide – I’ll say yes. What I think is we should enjoy the situation. I can’t control or regulate the system. My concern is about the affairs of the house, it also needs to be covered,” he early.
To this, the Congress MLA said, “There is a saying that when rape is unavoidable, lie down and enjoy it. That is exactly the position you are in.”
As the others in the meeting laughed — shockingly — in response, the mood quickly changed when reports of the comment sparked outrage.
Congress said it denounced the “highly reprehensible and insensitive banter.” The female MLAs held protests the next day, and the women’s commission — both at the state and the Center — condemned the comments.
In light of the resistance, Mr Kumar had to apologize.
