Rajasthan women's panel member Somya Gurjar with alleged rape survivor in Jaipur.
Highlights
- Rajasthan women's panel member clicks selfie with alleged rape survivor
- Panel chairperson also seen posing for the pictures that have gone viral
- Chairperson says she wasn't aware, asks member for written explanation
A selfie with an alleged rape survivor has cost a Rajasthan women's panel member heavily. Saumya Gujjar resigned on Thursday after she was reportedly taken to task by a furious Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
"I can't understand why this was made into an issue," Ms Gujjar told NDTV, claiming that all she had intended was to take pictures for her records.
She took the selfie yesterday, when she and the chairperson of the Rajasthan women's commission met a woman who has alleged that she was gang-raped by her husband's family and tattooed with expletives for not bringing enough dowry.
Two pictures of Ms Gujjar clicking the selfie have been widely circulated. She is seen holding her iPad, smiling, with chairperson Suman Sharma also leaning in for the photo - the rape survivor is between them, looking somber.
Ms Gujjar said the 28-year-old woman was "curious" about the camera. "She said take my photo also. I only took her photo to put her at ease and because she asked for it. I was trying to be humane with her."
A doctorate in Yoga, Ms Gujjar was appointed to the commission by the state government in January.
Her boss in the panel was also in the selfie but claims she was not aware that it was being taken.
"I was talking to the victim when she clicked these selfies. I am not aware when she clicked them. I do not favour such an act. I have asked for a written explanation," Suman Sharma told NDTV.