Amid a nationwide outcry over Badaun gangrape case, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil today courted controversy with his remark on the issue of checking such crimes, saying it is impossible to post a policeman at every home where most of these incidents take place.
"Many crimes against women happen within the confines of homes. Is it possible to have a policeman in every household?" Patil said replying to a debate on crimes against women and Dalits, in the Legislative Council.
"40 per cent rapes are committed by persons known to the victim. 6.34 per cent rapes are committed by brothers and fathers, 6.65 per cent by close relatives and 40 per cent on the promise of marriage," he said.
Patil insisted crimes like rape had increased due to "erosion in moral values".
As his remarks drew strong reactions from the opposition, Patil said his statement was misconstrued and threatened to bring a notice of breach of privilege against concerned media houses tomorrow.
"It's unfair to attribute false statements to me. I will bring a breach of privilege notice against those in the media who have distorted my statement in the Upper House tomorrow. I will not tolerate this," he said when the matter was raised in the state Assembly.
Patil said he would give copy of proceedings to Speaker Dilip Valse Patil and Leader of the Opposition Eknath Khadse so that they can verify the truth.
The issue was brought up in the Assembly by Khadse, who wanted Patil to clarify remarks attributed to him in the media.
"Patil should clarify his remarks. If he has said this, it is condemnable," Khadse said.
Patil, who was present in the House, said the comments attributed to him were not true and that he never said crimes against women cannot be stopped even if a policeman is deployed in every household.
The Speaker said he would go through the details of the proceedings before taking a decision.
Patil's alleged remarks elicited condemnation from the opposition with its leader in the Legislative Council Vinod Tawde of BJP describing the minister as an "abject failure" in containing crimes against women.
"There is no need to post a constable at every home. The Home Minister's work should be such that one policeman is able to control 10,000 people. Maharashtra police had this kind of mettle which is not there ever since the present minister assumed office," he said.
BJP's Lok Sabha member Poonam Mahajan also hit out at Patil.
"The Congress-NCP government has been in Maharashtra for 15 years, and as long as it is there, crime against women cannot be stopped.
"Four months from now, there would come a change (after Assembly elections) and women's safety would then top the government's agenda," she said.
