Social activist Kiran Bedi’s remark on Sunday that “small rape” and assault get more media coverage than charges of serious corruption against Ministers has drawn flak.
She made the remark while talking to journalists on the sidelines of Baba Ramdev’s fast at Ramlila Maidan here.
Social networks, including Twitter and Facebook, were abuzz with reactions. Some of them lashed out at Ms. Bedi, terming her “misogynist” and the remark “shocking.”
Ms. Bedi later clarified that she actually meant “small” officers and not small “rape.” She also accused a section of the media of distorting her statement.
She told reporters at the Ramlila Maidan, “I have read the files relating to 15 Ministers who have charges of corruption against them, but the media never discussed any charges against even one of the alleged Ministers. Look at the extent of discussions you have when a police officer or a government official commits a small rape or assault, but none of the media people discussed the corruption charges against any one of the 15 Ministers.”
Actor Farhan Akhtar tweeted: “Shocked at Kiran Bedi’s comment about “small rapes”! Ma'am there is nothing worse than a society that is morally corrupt.”
“Didn’t say it’s a small crime”
“I never said rape is a small crime. I said when a small ranked person commits rape/crime he is hung while big ones go scot-free,” Ms. Bedi tweeted after the outburst of outrage across social media. “Something of serious concern is the way SOME sections in the media conduct themselves? They are only seeking negativity? Will this ever change?”
Keywords: Kiran Bedi, small rape comments, Kiran Bedi comments, Baba Ramdev fast
Crime is crime whether it is small or big.
Again the media is distorting Kiren Bedi statements. She really means small Crimes are
blown over by the media whereas the corruption crimes committed by the Ministers are left
off by the media
I believe that Kiran Bedi intentionally would not say "small rape". It
could be just a mistake. Yes when you speak to the media one has to be
doubly careful because media will pick such phrases. But being a
person who has supported several women (from all walks of life)
victimised by violence inside and outside homes, she would not mean in
any way rape is small. I have worked with women who have suffered
violence and I know I would never think of rape or any such violence
as small crime. Kran Bedi who has done much more would never think
that way too. Please, let us look at situation and not on phrases that
catch immediate attention more so that sensational. Thank you
kiran bedi said what she said--she said "small rape cases"--perhaps
meaning that rape is a smaller issue compared to "corruption" by
politicians she doesn't like. what she said shows all her biases in one
"small" statement. she can backtrack all she wants; she can say it is
the media twisting her words; she can hide under a rock. no one helped
me interpret her words. i figured out her meaning when she spoke in an
unguarded moment, which by the way, are aplenty.
kiran bedi will never win hearts.
Maybe Ms. Bedi meant to say what she now says that she said. It cant be possible that all the various news organizations got it wrong or they have a combined bias towards Ms. Bedi. One thing she and the other team members ought to realize that for them to fight against corruption they need to be above board, their fans and followers need to have the utmost faith in their honesty in what they say and do. Their character cannot be reproached. There will be times when they misspeak, they need to acknowledge it and move on. Now the erstwhile team Anna members seem to think the world is out to get them, they need to get over it and move on.
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