Women won't get raped if parked at home like cars: Andhra Assembly speaker

Los Angeles : Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kodela Shiva Prasad on Saturday raised a controversy after he compared women and sexual assaults to cars and accidents.

During a press conference ahead of the National Women’s Parliament’ in Amaravati, he said, “When they (women) are exposed to the society they are more prone to eve-teasing, harassment, atrocities, rape and kidnap." He added that the accidents do not happen if the vehicles are kept parked in the garage.

Expressing his thoughts more clearly, he made the shocking statement- "Let’s say you buy a vehicle. When it is parked in the garage at home, accidents can be avoided, right? When it is taken to a bazaar or to the road, accidents are likely to happen. When the car is speeding, it is more likely for accidents to take place. At a speed of 50 km/hr accidents are less likely, at a speed of 100 km/hr accidents are more likely.” 

"Similarly, in older times, when women were housewives, they were safe from all kind of atrocities, except discrimination. Today, they are studying, working, and also are doing business. They are exposed to the society. When they are exposed to the society they are more prone to eve-teasing, harassment, atrocities, rape and kidnap. Is it not? If they do not leave home, it doesn't happen."

His statements were made at a time when the National Women's Parliament is underway in Amrawati and is hosting over 10,000 women delegates from across the country.

The Women’s Parliament will also include women MLAs, MPs, businesswomen and other influential leaders.

Watch the video (in Telugu) here.