Alleged Assault: AAP MP Swati Maliwal Denounces Victim-Shaming, Demands Polygraph Test
AAP MP Swati Maliwal, who has accused Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, of assault, has vehemently condemned the questioning of her claims. She highlighted the rampant victim-shaming that prevails, particularly against women who report assaults.
Victim-shaming happens with every woman, Maliwal asserted, drawing parallels to the infamous Nirbhaya case where the victim faced unwarranted scrutiny over her actions. She attributed the prevalent victim-blaming attitudes to societal biases that often cast doubt on the credibility of assault survivors.
Maliwal expressed her desire to undergo a polygraph test conducted by the police to unequivocally establish the veracity of her allegations. She emphasized that such a test would dispel any lingering doubts and bring clarity to the situation.
AAP leaders have raised questions about Maliwal's claims, citing a mobile phone video that purportedly shows her at Kejriwal's residence on the day of the alleged assault. AAP minister Atishi pointed to the fact that Maliwal's clothes appeared intact and there were no visible head injuries in the video.
Maliwal rebutted these claims, stating that the video was selectively edited and released. She asserted that a longer, unedited version of the footage, which captured her account of the assault to the security personnel, had been withheld from public view.
Addressing the concerns raised about her behavior following the alleged incident, Maliwal explained that the initial shock and pain of the assault could lead to heightened agitation and altered behavior. She emphasized that the experience of physical trauma could manifest in ways that might not be immediately apparent to observers.
Maliwal, who has served as the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women for close to a decade, highlighted the prevalence of victim-shaming in her interactions with survivors of sexual assault. She lamented that the voices of survivors are often met with skepticism and scrutiny, rather than empathy and support.
The Rajya Sabha MP further accused Kejriwal of protecting his aide, Bibhav Kumar, and orchestrating a campaign to discredit her character within the party. She expressed disappointment that despite the gravity of the allegations, she had not received any communication or support from Kejriwal.
The unfolding events have brought to light the persistent challenges faced by survivors of assault in seeking justice and having their voices heard. Maliwal's demands for a polygraph test and her denunciation of victim-shaming underscore the need for a society that believes, supports, and empowers survivors of gender-based violence.
