"Girls enjoy rape": Right-wing commentator arrested over sexual assault remarks targeting women protesters
An activist who considers himself a right-wing "political commentator" was arrested in the southern state of Kerala over remarks he allegedly made about the women at the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests last month, media reports said.
The case was registered following a complaint alleging that videos on TG Mohandas' YouTube channel, Pathrika, were intended to disturb public order and create fear and unrest.
According to reports, in the videos, Mohandas allegedly said the Delhi protests could lead to gang rape and claimed that women attending it "like rape" and that some "enjoy being raped."
He also called for police to open fire at protesters.
News channel NDTV reported that Mohandas is a former member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the RSS has denied any association with the commentator.
The BJP on Monday criticized the arrest as "discriminatory" and accused the Kerala government of attempting to divert attention from other issues, reports said. ALSO READ: Kangana Ranaut Calls CJP Protest Videos 'Puke Inducing', Dubs Gen Z 'Generation Gutter'; Faces Backlash
Women protesters being targeted online
The development comes amid an online campaign targeting women who took part in CJP-led student protests. The countrywide stir ended last month with the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Multiple reports indicate that young women involved in the movement are facing severe online harassment. They have been targeted with fake and AI-manipulated images, as well as a barrage of online abuse, including assault threats.
Additionally, their phone numbers and home addresses have been leaked online alongside targeted attacks against their family members.
Rhiya Ahir speaks out after online abuse over protest
Mumbai-based model Rhiya Ahir, who gained attention after standing in front of a police van carrying protesters during last month's Cockroach Janta Party-led demonstrations, has spoken about facing online abuse and threats following the protest.
In an interview with DW's Shalu Yadav, Ahir said the attention had come at a "heavy price" of online trolling and harassment, adding that women should be able to express their views without being targeted.
She referred to comments made about women protesters, including comments that they "should be raped" and would "enjoy it," saying such remarks could influence others and should not be allowed to go unchallenged.
"I read one comment saying 'we are going to rip you apart from the middle. And nobody's going to come to lay flowers on your grave,'" she said.
Ahir described the attacks as "criminal."
"I will not let it slide," she said. "I will not let them feel that they can sit behind their blank screens and feel so powerful by belittling other people.
Her comments come amid a wider online campaign targeting women who took part in the CJP-led protests, with reports of fake and AI-manipulated images, doxxing and threats against participants.
