Media glamorises rape, says Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde

Mumbai: Maharashtra Rural Development minister Pankaja Munde on Wednesday opined that media should not give "excessive" coverage to crime against women as it instills "energy" and "pleasure" among people with a criminal mindset to try "something new."

Munde, speaking to reporters here, also said that media should understand news that tends to glamorise criminals and makes them feel like a hero.

"For how long can we ensure safety of women when the criminal mindset of people in the society is only increasing? The overall condition of women, as they are being perceived is going from bad to worse. Small girls and even boys are not safe anymore," Munde said.

While highlighting a recent incident, she said that in her constituency, a shameful act of a father raping his own daughter had come to light.

"When a biological father can do this, how bad can it get now? I believe that such news should not be given excessive coverage as it inculcates a feeling of heroism among people who already have a criminal mindset. It gives them a kind of energy and pleasure to try something new and they commit such crimes," she said.

Munde further said that sensitivity of certain cases should be taken care of before reporting news.

She also said that the state government will further strengthen law which deals with crime against women.

"Media should realise which news tends to glamorise criminals and should refrain from giving excess coverage to such incidents," Munde said.

Latching out at the opportunity to pin down Munde, opposition Congress and the NCP termed her statements as "immature" and said that her statements should be condemned by all women.

Congress leader Manikrao said that a minister holding a cabinet rank should choose her words wisely.

"Record shows that she has always erred in making statements. I do not know her intentions. But the meaning of her words is very wrong. Such statements should be condemned by every woman of the state so that she does not repeat such statements again," Congress leader Manikrao Thakre said.

NCP leader Sachin Ahir said the media should report more such cases so that the government is forced to take strong steps to prevent such crimes.

"Her comments show the mentality and the immaturity of a person. Such comments should have been avoided because it shows the personality of an individual.

"The media should report more such cases so that the government is forced to take strong steps to prevent such crimes," Ahir said.