Arun Jaitley apologizes for his ‘small rape’ statement
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley caught by tongue for his controversial small rape incident. While speaking at the annual state tourism ministers conference held at New Delhi yesterday, said “one small incident of rape in Delhi”, advertised world over, was enough to cost India millions of dollars in terms of global tourism.
Obviously, it draws enough criticism against him forcing him to apologize for his tongue slip. He said “I am very sensitive to these issues myself and there is no question of trivializing any crime or any particular incident. I had not referred to any particular incident."
“I regret that the statement has been construed or some word that I have used has been construed as insensitive. That was never my intention," said Jaitley. He further said, I said that in general on how crime can hurt tourism and the image of crime against women itself dissuades tourists from coming to India. Although, he is not specifically mentioned any case, it is pointing at Nirbhaya case that shook the whole country.
Nirbhaya's mother said, “He has disappointed me calling it a small incident, whereas his party has used it for political gains during elections period. Her father said, "We are deeply hurt by what he has said. No rape is small, each rape incident is shameful for a country and when public figures and politicians make such statements it looks so insensitive. They should remember that when they speak, not only our country but the whole world listens.”