Legalising betting like ’enjoying rape’: CBI chief’s words spark outrage

Mangalore Today/NDTV

New Delhi, Nov 13, 2013:CBI Director Ranjit Sinha has landed himself in a massive controversy by comparing the legalizing of betting in sports to ’enjoying rape’.

India’s top investigator was at a panel discussion in Delhi on Tuesday evening, trying to argue that betting should be legalised as it was difficult to enforce a ban, when he drew the bizarre analogy, "If you can’t prevent rape, enjoy it."

He tried to explain later that he "just used a proverb to make a point," but his use of the word ’proverb’ for the distasteful comment did nothing to stop the deluge of outrage on social forums.

The CBI chief tried to defend himself again today, saying, "I gave my opinion that betting should be legalized and laws cannot be enforced. That does not mean that laws should not be made. This is as erroneous as saying that rape is inevitable & one should lie back and enjoy it...I reiterate my deep sense of regard and respect for women and my commitment for gender issues."

Mr Sinha is facing calls to apologise publicly or step down.

"The CBI director has rendered himself unfit to hold this office. Such an irresponsible and insensitive comment is simply inexcusable," tweeted Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw.

BJP’s Smriti Irani called the comment ’absolutely disgusting", while CPI-M leader Brinda Karat said the CBI director should be prosecuted. "If the CBI director can trivialize rape, it gives a very wrong message. He has no right to continue in office," Ms Karat said.

The CBI chief’s epic blunder has inflamed the social media at a time the nation’s rape debate - triggered by the horrific gang-rape of a medical student in a moving bus in Delhi last December - has been dominated by calls for sweeping changes not just in laws but in mindsets.

"Unbelievable!" tweeted noted Bangladesh writer Taslima Nasreen.

"After CBI boss Ranjit Sinha’s advice on enjoying rape when it’s inevitable, one wonders if we’re better off with the parrot caged and gagged," tweeted Abhijit Majumder.