Misquoted on rape remark: Maharashtra minister RR Patil

Amid the uproar over crimes against women being reported from across the country Maharashtra Home Minister had created a controversy by saying even if one police person is provided per house, rapes cannot be stopped. Later on, he denied making the statement and said he was misquoted. “Even if we provide one policeman per house we can’t stop crimes against women. The rise in atrocities against women is due to obscene images used in advertisements,” he had reportedly said. [caption id=“attachment_1565819” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil. AFP[/caption] His comments were criticised by the opposition in Maharashtra. “Patil has been incompetent and unsuccessful in maintaining law and order,” BJP leader Vinod Tawde was quoted by Times Now. Meanwhile Shaina NC said, “He has no sensitivity when it comes to women’s issues. His comments show how incompetent he is.” Advocate Abha Singh too hit out at Patil saying, “I think he should step down. He should be dismissed by the CM. He should not be allowed to continue as home minister.” However, Patil did not tender an apology. He chose to put the blame on the media saying he was misquoted. Times Now reports him as saying, “I was misquoted. The security of women is the top priority of our government.” Patil further said, “Stopping rape is our job. We will make sure that rapists, like in the Shakti Mills gangrape case, are punished. They should know Maharashtra government does not take rapes lightly.”