Rape comments were not insensitive, but misquoted: Parrikar

Panaji, July 2 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Wednesday said his comments in the media on women and rape were misquoted and there was no insensitivity in his remarks.

Communicating via his official Twitter handle, Parrikar said: "Whatever I have spoken at the Annual Day of the Goa State Industries Association (GSIA), attended by a lot of women, is in public domain... No sensible person with knowledge of English will ever think there is any insensitivity in my address. This time, the concerned owe me an apology."

Parrikar was quoted inadvertently by IANS as saying: "If a woman is raped, she has to deal with inquiries only from one inspector, but if someone wants to start an industry, they have to deal with 16 inspectors."

The erroneous account was also published in other sections of the media, both print and TV.

A video which was circulated Wednesday by the chief minister's well-wishers now suggests that Parrikar had in effect said "that if he committed a rape he would have to face one inspector, but in case he wants to set up a business he would have to face 26 inspectors".

Parrikar's remarks coupled by the comments made by Public Works Department Minister Sudin Dhavalikar demanding a ban on mini-skirts and bikinis in night clubs and beaches have created a national stir.