Rape Rates 'Highest' In India Because Women Don’t Wear Islamic Attire Hijab, Says Senior Karnataka Congress Leader And MLA Zameer Ahmed

Senior Karnataka Congress leader Zameer Ahmed has claimed that the rape rates in India are 'highest' in the world as women are not wearing Islamic attire Hijab.

The four-term Congress MLA, who represents the Chamrajpet constituency in Bengaluru and a powerful transporter who owns National Travels, was responding to Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan's statement on Hijab. Arif Mohammed Khan had earlier said that hijab is not 'intrinsic' and 'essential' in Islam.

“Suppose we accept the argument that hijab is intrinsic and essential, then, surely (sic) they will be aware that they can’t pursue any career after completing education. The result will be they will become disinterested in pursuing education. Evil practices like triple divorce were banned. This (hijab row) is another attempt to push the girls back to homes. Don’t allow this to happen,” Arif Mohammad Khan told reporters in New Delhi.

Disagreeing with some of Khan's contention, Ahmed said that "I don't understand why did he (Arif Mohammad Khan) say so," Zameer Ahmed said.

"Hijab protects the beauty of a girl. It hides her beauty," Ahmed further added.

"Today in India, I believe, the rape rates are highest. What's the reason? Because women are not under gosh-e-parda (Hijab). It is not since today and it's not even compulsory. One who wants to wear it, to protect her beauty, they wear it. And it is not since today. It's since many many years," Zameer Ahmed said.

Linking rise in sexual assault cases on how women dress is not uncommon in Islamic world.

In April 2021, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran was accused of being a "rape apologist" after he blamed a rise in sexual assault cases on how women dress.

In a television interview, PM Khan said women in Pakistan should remove "temptation" because "not everyone has willpower". He said women should observe purdah.