Rape cases going up as some dresses worn by women 'excite' men: BJP MLA M P Renukacharya
Bengaluru, Feb 9: Amid the ongoing Hijab row, Karnataka BJP MLA M P Renukacharya on Wednesday claimed that rape cases are increasing as some dresses worn by women 'excite' men, as he tried to make his case for girl students in colleges to either wear uniform or dress that fully cover their body.
Later realising that his remarks would stir controversy, the political secretary to the Chief Minister said that he would apologise to women, if his statement has hurt them.
The Honnali MLA was reacting to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's tweet regarding the hijab row.
"Whether it is a bikini, a ghoonghat, a pair of jeans or a hijab, it is a woman's right to decide what she wants to wear. This right is GUARANTEED by the Indian constitution. Stop harassing women," she had tweeted.
"Priyanka Gandhi is a woman, a Congress leader.....we are not questioning the fundamental rights of women (on the hijab issue).
Kerala and Bombay High Courts have said that uniform is mandatory at schools and colleges, the government has also said the same. Using bikini word for girl student's (dress) is ignoble," Renukacharya said.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said, "While studying in colleges, students should wear uniforms or a dress that fully covers their body. Rape cases are increasing as some dresses worn by women excite men, which is not good, because women have respect in our country, we regard them as mothers."
The former Minister also demanded that Priyanka Gandhi withdraw her statement and apologise to girl students and women.
Further stating that Priyanka Gandhi probably does not understand the culture and traditions of this country, Renukacharya said, "her mother's is Italian culture, her marriage too.... It's her personal matter, (she) saying such things will lead to a lot of meanings, which is not right."
He also said that BJP is not politicising the uniform dress code issue.
Later trying to clarify his statement, the legislator said, "if my statement has hurt our sisters, I will definitely apologise. I respect them."
ALSO READ---It is woman's right to decide what she wants to wear, stop harassing: Priyanka Gandhi
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Andhra CM Naidu promises cash incentives for third, fourth child
Narasannapeta (Andhra Pradesh) (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced incentives of Rs 30,000 for the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth, as part of efforts to reverse the state’s declining population trend.
Addressing a public meeting at Narsannapeta in Srikakulam district, Naidu said he had taken the decision and would announce further details within a month.
“I have made a new decision. We will provide Rs 30,000 immediately after the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth child. Isn’t this the right decision?” Naidu said on the sidelines of the SwarnaAndhra SwachAndhra cleanliness programme.
Although he had once advocated population control measures, the CM said the time had now come for society to work together to increase the birth rate.
Naidu’s latest announcement follows an earlier proposal to provide a Rs 25,000 incentive for the birth of a second child.
On March 5, he informed the Assembly that the state government was considering an incentive of Rs 25,000 for couples having a second child.
However, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav told PTI on Saturday that the government had decided to extend the incentives to families having a third child and beyond.
According to Naidu, rising incomes are leading some couples to opt for a single child, while others are choosing a second child only if their firstborn is a girl.
As a result, he warned that the state’s population growth rate is declining and stressed the importance of maintaining the replacement-level total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1.
He noted that a population remains stable only when the fertility rate is 2.1 children per woman.
He emphasised that declining populations and ageing societies in several countries have adversely affected their economies.
Rejecting the notion that children are a burden, Naidu argued that they are an asset and vowed to demonstrate it.
Referring to the Talliki Vandanam welfare scheme, which provides Rs 15,000 per school-going child per annum, Naidu said he would increase the amount “if God shows mercy”.
He said the government is printing tamper-proof pattadar passbooks (land documents) and assured that there would be “no land disputes” by March 2027.
The TDP supremo promised to develop the Srikakulam district through infrastructure projects and the completion of irrigation works.
Giving project timelines, Naidu said the government would complete the Madduvalasa Stage–II project by January 2027, the Hiramandalam Lift Irrigation Project by April 2027, and the Thotapalli distributaries by July 2027, among others.
After the formation of the TDP-led NDA government, he said that 86 lakh tonnes of legacy waste had been cleared and promised 100 per cent clearance by June.
Further, the CM urged people to follow PM Narendra Modi’s guidelines to address economic challenges arising from the US–Israel–Iran conflict.
Naidu advised people to work from home as much as possible, reduce gold purchases, explore domestic tourism, use public transport, and take similar steps to support the economy and cooperate with the government.
