Nirbhaya Gangrape: Now Defence Lawyer Sniffs a Political Angle

Previously, lawyer ML Sharma had made misogynistic statements in the banned documentary ‘India’s Daughter’

Lawyer ML Sharma was served a show cause notice by the Bar Council for his misogynistic statements in the BBC documentary India’s Daughter. (Photo: The Quint)

Lawyer ML Sharma represents two of the death row convicts in the Jyoti Singh 2012 rape case in Delhi.

It was only last week that he made an outrageous offer. He asserted he will pay a Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone who can prove that the Delhi gang-rape victim was violated with an iron rod. The blatant insensitivity cannot go unnoticed.

As if this wasn’t enough, Sharma had more to say on Tuesday.

According to Sharma the entire incident was planned and orchestrated by a politician, in connivance with the victim’s male companion, “to score political mileage”.

He further said that one of the convicts, Mukesh, is now disclosing facts about the case for he knows he will be hanged. A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra rightfully intervened and told Sharma that he “ should argue only on the basis of whatever evidence is on the record,” and not say whatever he wants.

Anyone aware of Sharma’s past record of remarks, will know that this is not the first time he has made nauseatingly abhorent statements. Here are the past instances where he perpetuated the worst of the patriarchal beliefs.

The Flawed Female-Flower Analogy

In BBC’s documentary, India’s Daughter, based on Jyoti Singh’s gangrape, Sharma conveniently validates sexists analogies relating to women, saying:

A female is just like a flower. It gives a good-looking, very softness pleasant performance. But on the other hand, a man is just like a thorn. Strong, tough enough.That flower always needs protection. If you put that flower in a gutter, it is spoilt. If you put that flower in a temple, it will be worshipped .

No Country For Women

Displaying a mindset that may explain why rape is endemic in the country, he said:

“You are talking about man and woman as friends. Sorry, that doesn’t have any place in our society. We have the best culture. In our culture there is no place for a woman.”

‘Men Get Excited When They Get the Atmosphere’

In a statement that essentially means that rape happens only with a woman’s consent, he said in an interview with Newslaundry:

You cannot penetrate without being excited. If you can’t do that how can you go for sex, and how can you go for rape? So first step is excitement. And a man will be excited when he gets the “atmosphere”. And whether he gets an atmosphere or not depends on the circumstances in which he is. Will you be able to do it? Tell me. This has nothing to do with whether you are married or not. Go watch a “porn movie” today you’ll get to know.

He also has a simple analogy to explain rape:

“If you have a bread or sweetmeat and you put it outside your house can you tell me what will happen? Neighbourhood dogs will come eat it and go. Not a piece would be left for you. If you keep that box protected in the fridge, the dogs won’t get a chance.”

Source: Times of India, India’s Daughter and Newslaundry.