PPP, activists condemn misogynistic remarks of Nabil Gabol
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PPP, activists condemns misogynistic remarks of Nabil Gabol
KARACHI (Web Desk) - Pakistan's political discourse has been shaken up by a resurfaced video of PPP politician Nabil Gabol making insensitive and disturbing remarks about rape.
In the video, Gabol used the example of rape to talk about being overpowered by the opposition and said some seriously disturbing things like “when rape is imminent, just enjoy it”.
The video has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights activists, lawyers and politicians. Prominent figures like Nighat Dad, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, author Fatima Bhutto and artist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto took to Twitter to voice their disgust, calling the rhetoric “repulsive” and “sick”.
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) April 2, 2023
The video is from The Pakistan Experience, a podcast interview by Shehzad Ghias shared on January 2. In response to a question about MQM, Gabol said he would like to use an example that is a saying in English. “When rape is imminent, just enjoy it,” he said. Ghias told him there was no such saying but the politician insisted that there was.
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) April 2, 2023
“It is imperative for political parties that politicians who hold positions of power and influence are held to the highest standards of accountability and responsibility for their words and actions. This guy has already said disgusting things in two interviews,” Dad said, attaching a clip from another interview.
In an old podcast with Nadir Ali, Gabol makes some deeply misogynistic and troubling statements, saying he can ‘take’ whatever woman he likes. “You Karachiites keep your desire in your hearts and expel your emotions in the bathroom. We don’t keep our feelings in our hearts, whoever we like, we will take. If I like her, she’s mine,” he said.
“The use of rape as a punchline or a casual reference is abhorrent and has no place in political civilised discourse,” added Dad. “It is a blatant display of disrespect towards the survivors of sexual violence and undermines efforts to combat this heinous crime.”
Senator Anny Marri distanced his opinions from their party’s and said there is no place for misogyny in PPP. Bakhtawar echoed Marri’s words and wrote, “His (repulsive) rhetoric belongs to his individual only and is in no way a representation of our party.
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) April 3, 2023
In case it wasn’t already abundantly obvious — we absolutely and unequivocally stand for the rights and protection of women.”
Fatima called his words “utter filth” and said, “Nabil Gabol exposes the absolute criminal mindset of Sindh’s government.
He has done nothing for Lyari, for the people he supposedly represents and laughs while talking of such violence. Horrendous.”
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) April 3, 2023
Zulfikar also emphasised on the issues Pakistan is facing and wrote, “This makes me sick. The multiple levels of violence. Sixteen people have died in food stampedes, our environment is collapsing, IMF is not letting us go. Whatever type of rape you’re talking about — no one should bare it and justice should always follow.”
Twitter users want the politician to be held accountable for what he said. The use of rape as a tool to navigate political discourse is not only insensitive and offensive but also perpetuates harmful and dangerous attitudes towards sexual violence.
— (L)(A) Wasim Akram +(Ret) (@dub04686) April 3, 2023
Rape is a serious offence that leaves the victim forever scarred, and flinging it around so carelessly in conversation is simply unacceptable.
