Rape remark: NCW summons Salman Khan

Leaving no stone unturned to seek an apology from actor Salman Khan, the National Commission for Women has summoned the actor to explain his “rape remark.” This comes after the NCW was unsatisfied with the written reply form the lawyers of the star. The actor has been asked to appear before the commission on July 8. Meanwhile, the legal experts believe that the autonomous body can move the court to file a complaint against the actor.

The commission also warned the 50-year-old actor that if he fails to appear before the panel, it may proceed to take action as it deems fit.

After a controversy sparked after Salman’s comments, the NCW had taken a suo moto cognisance and sought an apology from him. With the rising outrage against the comment, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women had also issued summons for Salman’s personal appearance on July 7 after the actor failed to turn up before it to offer explanation for his rape analogy to describe the gruelling shoot for his upcoming film Sultan. The NCW in its notice said that, “The commission finds that you are not willing to apologise for the remarks made by you. The explanation offered by you, after making such an irresponsible and callous statement... doesn’t amount to an apology. Your reply is therefore not satisfactory.”

Earlier, the chairperson had said, “We will not be taking this lightly. The fact that people make jokes about rape shows the patriarchal mindset of the society.” We will take a strict action against the actor.”

The notice issued by the commission said, “You are hereby required to appear before the Commission in person on 8th July. Take further notice that in default, the Commission may proceed to take such appropriate action as it deems fit.”

Giving out details of the NCW’s powers, senior criminal lawyer, KTS Tulsi told this newspaper that, “ The NCW has the right to file a criminal or a civil complaint in the court of law and the court can further take an action depending on the complaint filed. The remark made by the actor is not something that can be taken likely. So, the NCW has the right to enforce power.”

The NCW notice was issued after Salman during a media interaction had said that his gruelling workout for ‘Sultan’ left him feeling like a ‘raped woman’, a remark which evoked a sharp reaction from activists and others.

While Salim Khan, Salman’s father, apologised on behalf of his son after the strong reactions, the actor himself has not apologised for his comments.