Prime Minister Imran Khan became the topic of discussion after he blamed 'fahashi' (vulgarity) as the root cause of the rise in rape cases and sexual violence in Pakistan. In a recent interactive session with the public, a caller inquired the premier about the steps his government plans on taking to tackle the rise in the cases of sexual violence.
PM Imran shared how the rise in vulgarity seems to be proportional to the sexual aggression in society. "Aaj jis maashray mein aap fahashi barhatay jayen, toh koi tou us ka asar hoga na. (In any society where vulgarity is prevalent, there are consequences)," he shared. "Humare deen mein kyun mana kiya gaya hai? Ye sara jo parday ka concept hai, yeh kya hai? Ke temptation na ho maashray mein. Har insaan mein will power nahi hota. (The reason why our religion stresses on covering up your body and maintaining modesty is to avoid any such temptation. Not everyone has the willpower to avoid it)."
Soon after his comments, there was an uproar on social media. Many called out the premier for his 'insensitive' remarks.
The public outrage:
Shock & outrage as Imran Khan links 'vulgarity' with rise in rape & sexual violence..
— Saima Mohsin (@SaimaMohsin) April 5, 2021
PrimeMinister seems to blame women & how they dress instead of violent male behaviour who he said "cannot keep their willpower in check"
No word on law enforcement... https://t.co/5e9c2E7hjg
Utterly disappointed but not the least bit surprised at the archaic stance IK took on rape. It’s hard enough being a woman in this country, we’ve seen how easily the victim is blamed and your PM just validated this backward thinking men have. We honestly deserve better than this.
— Hadeel Obaid (@hadouken51) April 6, 2021
Ok so apparently @ImranKhanPTI once again shared his problematic take on reasons behind sexual violence against women & children. This is why I don’t even try listening to him now. Hats off to you all who actually still think he will learn & change his stance
— W.H (@waj_huss) April 4, 2021
R*pe is NOT a crime of lust or pleasure. It is a crime of POWER. It is abt violence, control & the need to dominate 'lesser' being.
— - (@daikhajayega) April 4, 2021
Abt time IK understands this, stop blaming fahashi for everything & instead focus on education & guaranteed accountability to deal with this issue.
I haven't yet listen to Hon PM take on what cause rape but I do want to ask what kind of a fahashi minor girls and at times minor boys commit that attract rapists ? https://t.co/1EDBIQRN6L
— Umer (@UmerNazeef) April 4, 2021
Anyone blaming clothes and not the rapist is a rape apologist.
— Saadia Ahmed (@khwamkhwah) April 4, 2021
Let’s not mince words: PM’s comments linking rape with “obscenity” are ignorant, dangerous and condemnable
— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) April 5, 2021
His propagation of this rape myth shows he has no understanding of the issue, and amounts to providing excuses for criminal acts of perpetrators while blaming the victims
Mr Imran Khan, listen to criminologists, forensic psychologists and researchers to learn and understand why heinous crimes like rape happen.
— The Donnie Darko (@TheDonnieDarko1) April 4, 2021
Rape aur abuse tou مسجد me bhi hota hai, wahan kaunsi fahashi hai? Molvi kaunsa Hollywood daikhta hai?
Strongly condemn @ImranKhanPTI’s recent views on rape culture.
— Rubya Chaudhry (@RubyaChaudhry) April 6, 2021
It’s scary that our PM would have such cringeworthy opinions on such a matter. I really hope he redeems himself.
This is shocking. It is never the victims' fault. https://t.co/gRPA17r8uM
— samina ahmed (@saminatv) April 6, 2021
Earlier, in an interview with a local channel, PM Imran had said that there was a rapid spread of ‘indecency’ in the world. “We have an advantage over other developed countries in the world. We have a family system that has not been touched by indecent influences. Look at Bollywood, look at the difference in their films now and those 40 years back. The indecency has grown to such exponential levels that Delhi has become the rape capital of the world,” he had commented.
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Ignorance of Hon PM on the rape issue is typical for Pakistan men who feel inherently superior to women. India had a similar mindset just about 10 to 15 years ago. But Bollywood took a stand and with the judiciary and political support women got liberated. Hon PM should watch movies like PINK that was acted by Amitabh Bachhan to understand the issue and definition of Rape and get laws to protect women of the homeland.
Shame on you PM. Oxford graduate but ignorant to the bone.