maliwal-ready-for-polygraph-to-prove-assault

Swati Maliwal, an AAP MP, recently found herself at the center of controversy after alleging assault by Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar. She has been vocal about the victim-shaming she has faced since the incident.

 

In an interview, Maliwal expressed her frustration over the skepticism surrounding her claims and has asked for a polygraph test to prove her truthfulness.

 

Maliwal criticized the release of a short clip showing her using foul language, claiming it was selectively edited to discredit her. She emphasized that the full context of her actions and statements on May 13 was missing.

 

According to Maliwal, the video was recorded after she was allegedly assaulted, and an eight-minute clip where she described the assault to security was not released.

 

In her interview, Maliwal drew parallels between her experience and that of other victims of assault, mentioning how Nirbhaya faced similar victim-shaming.

 

She highlighted the comments from AAP leaders who questioned her assault claim based on a video from the day of the incident. AAP minister Atishi pointed out that Maliwal’s clothes were not torn and she did not appear injured in the footage.

 

Maliwal explained that being thrashed can leave one agitated and in pain, but adrenaline often masks the full extent of injuries initially. She argued that it's unfair to judge a victim's reaction immediately after an attack, as people often move and act differently when they are still in shock.

 

Having served as the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women from 2015 to 2024, Maliwal has extensive experience working with victims of sexual assault.

 

She mentioned her work rescuing women from trafficking and supporting survivors, stressing that victim-blaming is a common problem that extends beyond her case. According to her, survivors are frequently questioned and doubted rather than being listened to and believed.

 

Maliwal's call for a polygraph test aims to clear her name and bring attention to the broader issue of victim-shaming. She believes that such a test would make everything clear and validate her claims.

 

The controversy surrounding her allegations highlights the ongoing challenges faced by assault survivors, who often find themselves having to defend their credibility in the face of public and political scrutiny.