‘Rape should be legalized’ to stop killings, says Indian filmmaker

An Indian filmmaker was lambasted after saying rape is “not a serious thing,” and women should co-operate with their rapists when faced with them.

Daniel Shravan shocked and horrified all with his suggestions after the death of Priyanka Reddy, who was gang-raped and asphyxiated before her dead body was set alight on Nov. 27 on the outskirts of the southern city of Hyderabad, India.

He claimed that rape without violence should be legalized by the government as the only way to stop femicides, because rapists kill women due to the fear of being prosecuted.

A 23-year-old rape victim was set ablaze by a gang of men, including the alleged rapist, as she made her way to court in the northern India on Thursday, police said, stirring public outrage and shame over the scourge of crimes against women.

‘’Rapists are not finding a way to get their bodily sexual desires and getting these killing thoughts. Better women should accept men’s sex,’’ he said.

‘’Women should carry condoms and dental dams after age 18 in the case of being raped,’’ he added.

He deleted his comments shortly after due to the accusations and responses.

‘’What kind of sick mentality does he have? Disgusting and disturbing. I am tired of this misogyny and victim blaming,” one said.

‘’We are not safe anymore in India. We are scared to move out of our homes,’’ another said.

Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state and has become notorious for its poor record regarding crimes against women, with more than 4,200 cases of rape reported there in 2017 - the highest in the country.