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As the remark sparked an outrage, BJP asked the minister to also withdraw the remark.
Congress dubbed as "shameful" the remark that came against the backdrop of a sombre mood in the country after the Delhi gangrape incident and a rash of crimes against women.
It also demanded immediate dismissal of the minister.
“Ek hi shabd hai – Maryada. Maryada ka ulanghan hota hai, toh Sita-haran ho jata hai. Laxman-rekha har vyakti ki khichi gayi hai. Us Laxman-rekha ko koi bhi par karega, toh Rawan samne baitha hai, woh Sita-haran karke le jayega.” ("Only when Sitaji crossed the Lakshman rekha, she was kidnapped by Ravan...If Sitaji (woman) crosses the Lakshman rekha, then 'Sita haran' (crime against them) is bound to take place as Ravans are out there,") Vijayvargiya said, invoking an incident from epic Ramayana while seeking to explain the reason behind the recent spate of crimes against women.
"When people cross their limits, deterioration is bound to happen. It applies to everyone in the society, men or women," the state industries minister said.
The remark did not go down well with the BJP. "The party(BJP) does not approve of it and disassociates itself from the same and the party has asked the Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya to kindly withdraw it," BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad told reporters in New Delhi.
Vijayvargiya said he apologises for the remark if it had hurt the sentiments of women activists."If women activists have been hurt by my statement, then I am sorry."
Clarifying that the "Lakshman rekha' remark was misunderstood, he said if it was being considered as against women only, then he has no problems in withdrawing it.
"Let me clarify that my statement was not women centric and it is applicable to all in the society...politicians, media. But if it is being considered only against women then I have no problem in withdrawing it," Vijayvargiya told reporters after 'Paad Pujan' (worshipping feet of women) at Rau, near Indore.
The minister's remark drew sharp reaction from Congress with AICC General Secretary and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh.
"In Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister is running beti bachao andolan and many other schemes for women and calls himself a 'brother' to all the women. If he is thinking in interest of women then he should ask for Vijayvargiya's resignation," he said.
A furious minister remained defiant till late at night and refused to apologise, saying he was being misinterpreted.
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"Women will be punished like Sita's 'haran' by Ravan if they cross 'maryada' (moral) limits", this is what BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya said & he used RAMAYANA to sound cool or something..someone please tell this idiot that the whole point of Ramayana was not if sita crossed the lakshman she will be kidnapped but if u try to behave like the way ravan did towards woman then u will die no matter how strong u r. Hell it actually means that god himself will beat the crap out of u..God where do these guys come from??? I love my country but then realized my country cannot reciprocate that feeling cause it's not exactly a living thinking being, it's the people that live in it that makes the country worth living & dying for!!!
He is absolutely right !
Kailash Vijayvargiva's role is to be an industry minister. That's the role people elected him for and job he is tasked with. Since when does that give guys like him the moral authority to advice people on their clothes and value systems. If guys like him did their jobs instead of giving bhashans on topics where they are not experts, India would be moving much further ahead and crimes like these would not take place. On a lighter note, in those days people travelled in horses and walked to places- does he want to give up his expensive cars and red light flashing vehicles and try to walk- may be then he may see what common people go through on a daily basis.
Indian politicians are morons. Sorry if the morons feel insulted by comparing them to politicians
With bowed head I wish to dedicate the below couples to this great man and ALL of his ilk. Barbaad-e-gulistan (garden) karne ko bus ek hi ullu kaafi hai ........yahan har shaakh (branch of a tree) .pe ullu baitha hai ...ab haal-e-gullistan kya hoga ?
This maryada should be same for man and women.
Ilika Roy, why do women want equality only where it is convenient to them? Women want laws in their favour, quotas and more. They want to marry well-settled men and demand alimony and maintenance from men while still talking about gender equality. Stop this hypocrisy and start paying the price of gender equality.
In the context of current rape and murder in New Delhi, can Mr. VijaiVargiya clarify as what limit did that innocent girl cross? Lets talk substance and not generalized things when they are not pertinent. Ramayan is there for ages, rape continued to happen and are happening as we speak. It would be appropriate for Mr. Vijaivargiya to tell us as what men should not do.
He is right.
Vijayvargiya is right.There is discipline attached to every activity,whether undertakenby man or woman.If the Lakshman Rekha attached to this discipline is crossed by anybody,there is Ravana waiting.The country is directionless today only due to lack of discipline.China has only one virtue higher than us--discipline.Congress keeps winning despite all the negative publicity only due to discipline.Modi wins in Gujarat-Discipline.Dhumal looses in H.P. inspite of good work--indiscipline.We are best doubles Tennis Nation but came back empty handed from Olympic--indiscipline.
The minister is asking everybody to remain in limits of civilized behavior. He is asking for introspection. Media has twisted his statement to make a taliban out if him.
The minister should state whether his wife and girl children stay in a cave or deep well and dont even see sun light. The Minister is good to be a great Ambassdor of Pakistan Taliban. The Mullahs with smelly beards would love this man. BJP Taliban shinning
Let us remember that we are in the 21st century. Women are educated, have careers and have to get out of the house. They have no time to consider their attire in relation to an idiot and how it might or might not cause him to react. If he has a problem he should shut his eyes, and mind his own business. We can talk about Ravana, Sita and the Victorian era when even a woman's ankles were considered provocative. At the end of the day talk like this is just futile. What is needed is for every male, (right from the cradle) to be taught that females are to be respected, and treated as equals.
Dear Mr Vijayvargiya ....... If you really read the Ramayana, you would know that even though Ravan did NOT rape Sita, he got killed. Thus: The moral of Valmiki's story is - Casting an evil eye on a woman is punishable by death.
No offence to women. Women should look into within themselves and never submit to any men without her consent. Why do women marry much married men and feel no guilty? Take ex. of filmstars. Kareena, Vidya, Sridevi it goes on. It is simple. They feel inferior or submissive. Why the reverse never or very rarely happens (bachelor men marrying married women). They are spoiling happy families. Dressing provocative in public places is another issue that girls should think. Men always have weakness for other sex and it is for ages from time of Ramayana,Mahabharata, Bible. It is duty and responsibility of a women to maintain her dignity. Please don't abuse me. If you don't like my coments and find them offensive, please forgive me.
One of the main messages behind this nationwide movement was "Don't tell girls how to dress,teach your sons not to rape." You're missing the whole point.Women have every right to dress the way they want and go where they like,same as men,without being thought of as 'asking for abuse'.As for film stars marrying previously married men,how is that even an issue?! That's neither a crime nor is it anyone else's business.Men may have a 'weakness' for women.Many women have a 'weakness' for men as well.That doesn't mean they go around attacking them.Men are very much capable of controlling their 'weaknesses'.Moreover the main reason they commit such inhuman crimes isn't 'weakness',it's an attempt to subjugate and humiliate the victim along with the confidence that they can get away it.Women are responsible for their own protection.However they are not responsible for the actions of such criminals and perverts.
If anyone tries to justify about whatever happened to SITA because she made mistake trusting a conman & crossed the "Laxman Rekha".... then the person hasn't understood the subject altogether!!!! SITA was duped.. so can't be blamed in any way. It was RAVANA who lured & deceived SITA by pretending to be a "SADHU". If a breach of trust is glorified in this manner then only GOD can save this country!! And if trusting a so-called "SADHU" is a mistake then all the humanity will finish...
I have somehow stopped getting surprised at such comments by politicians. The only way to bring these people out of their mindset is to keep shouting at them every time they say something like this, and also to teach our children gender equality right from the time they start going to school. PS: Perhaps this politician doesn't know even Ravan was civilised enough not to rape Sita. He is even worse than Ravan.
In our country women have special Respect & Dignity i.e. Maryada. Bharat is Bharat, therefore we should not try to become like European or American staying at Hindustan. As we are living in society we have also responsibility towards society. If some body crossing the MARYADA (both men & women) then every body have rights to comment. That's why Kailash ji is absolutely Right.
What scares me the most about this guys comments is that either he is so unbelievably stupid to make a derogatory comment such as this, when any half witted person would know that there would be s terrible backlash on him by the public in these times. Or he is so confident that there are many men (and maybe even women) who do agree with him and will support him. Either way our country is doomed. I can only pray for the rest of us who have morals and try to live with integrity
There is the new India of educated youngsters who work in various disciplines - medical, BPO, IT, sports, arts etc. Many of them have travelled or moved in liberal society and are comfortable with that lifestyle. Their clother, social conduct reflect this liberal attitude. On the other hand there is the vast majority of poor/illiterate/backward people who have lived their growing up lives in repressive families where women are ill treated and showed scant respect. At best they are extremely conservative and expected to live in purdah/ghoongat and obediently. When these 2 societies intersect - as happens in cities - its results are chaotic. Someone who has never seen a female in a skirt or jeans - or even being friendly with a male - is suddenly exposed to such a sight and they get all mixed up and are unable to interpret/adapt correctly. I think this disparity is too wide now. We're focussing only on economic growth - we need to focus on spiritual growth as well.
This girl's determination to live inspite of the brutality and savagery inflicted upon her, in one way epitomises the innumerous and unthinkable atrocities women (educated or uneducated) face in this country. Her extremely painful and brutal death should be an eye opener to every single politician as it reminds the extreme degeneration of the morals in our country. Just as the youth have forced the Govt to revise the laws, there should be unity in kicking out these sort of specimens who are elected purely due the brand name of their respective political party. Hope the youth of this country realise their voting power. Let the educated rule and with concern and due respect, educate the uneducated mass and build the country's future. Let us care for each other, only then we can fight the demons amidst us
comment against women. womenBy: sudhar | Friday , 4 Jan '13 12:09:32 PM Reply | Forward pl understand its not fair to abuse the truth, he is not encouraging the barbaric act but at the same time womes should be cautious and proactive and should listen to parents advise in dress codes and afte hours roaming donot blindly support girls / womens art any cost Wow its okay for men to go half naked, for men to drink, smoke, have sex and apparently even rape. UGH. fOR MEN TO WORK, GO WHERE EVER THEY WANT, MARRY WHOEVER THEY WANT. But not okay for women. Hypocrite who made you women's keeper. Your parents should be slapped for producing crap like you.
Dear Country-Men& Women, With comments coming from MrBhagwat & this gentleman, Can you imagine what will happen, if the Hindutva forces rule the Country- They will take us back to Ravaan Raj. Be careful , they may sound patriotic, but they belong to Vanaar mentality
If Hindutya force will not come to the power then our country will No.-1 in rape, prostitution, crime etc & etc.
If Hindutya force will not come to the power then our country will No.-1 in rape, prostitution, crime etc & etc.
The concept of independent thinking women is alien to many Indians including this guy. Who is he to decide what is women's 'maryada'? Who will drive into the heads of these morons that if society gives freedom to men, it must give the same freedom to women. Gone are the days when have to be defined by their relation to a man, be it father, husband, brother or son. People such as this specimen from the BJP will be most happy to be in Taliban country; please let him go there.
Yes only when India sends these cave men to caves of Afghanistan and lock them up for life there can India progress. Imagine BJP makes these creatures into ministers.
The fact that so many people have voiced (and possibly thousands more believe) the opinion that it is the woman who is at fault, shows that a sizable chunk of our population continues to live in the dark ages.Along with providing basic health, hygeine and education, we also have to carry out the unfinished task of socially reforming our people away from perennial issues like gender inequality which in turn lead to atrocities like rape, dowry deaths etc. The onus of carrying out these reforms and changing public opinion should fall on all progressive people who should voice their opinion against this injustice in all public and private forums. This is not a job for the govt alone to do. All of us are as responsible.
If they want women to be like 'Sita', why cant men be like 'RAM' !! What a pity !! The future of our country lies in such illiterate people's hands.
