Jharkhand: JMM distances from Lobin’s rape remark, BJP seeks governor intervention

RANCHI: Facing flak for its Borio MLA Lobin Hembrom’s controversial statement on the recent gang-rape and murder of a tribal girl in Dumka, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Tuesday distanced itself from the comment and said it was the lawmaker’s personal opinion.
Talking to reporters in poll bound Dumka on Monday, Hembrom had said that the rising incidents of rape and gang-rape are testimony to the negligent approach of parents towards their daughters.“They allow their daughters to move out of home even after dusk. Boys and girls often cross socially-accepted lines because they have easy access to internet and mobile phones. Their parents remain in the dark over their children’s conduct.”
JMM general Supriyo Bhattacharya said: “He commented on an issue and a social evil. It was his personal opinion and party does not endorse his view. Chief minister Hemant Soren has very clearly stated that Jharkhand will not turn into another Hathras or Shaharanpur. The guilty will be brought to justice.”
BJP, however, issued a strong statement against Hembrom. “The women of Jharkhand are crying for justice and politicians from JMM and Congress are making such unfortunate remarks. Crimes against women are rising and the DGP is claiming that everything is fine. These comments clearly indicate the mindset of JMM and Congress leaders,” BJP spokesperson Pradip Sinha said in a statement. The saffron party also urged Governor Droupadi Murmu to take cognizance on the matter.