New Delhi, January 3, (PTI): The Indian National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday issued summonses to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara and Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi over their objectionable remarks on the alleged incident of mass molestation of women in the South Indian city of Bengaluru on New Year Eve.
“We have sent summonses to both of them (Parameshwara and Azmi) for their statements,” NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam said.
“It does not matter whether Abu Azmi belongs to one particular party or another. To be brutally frank, there are men across parties who make these disgusting statements. If men at this level say such things, where is the nation heading?” she said.
“I don’t say all men are like that in the country, but a good 25 per cent of this country seems to be full of patriarchal men who have no respect for women,” she added.
Taking strong exception to Parameshwara’s remarks that youngsters’ “western ways” was the reason behind the incident of mass molestation, Kumaramangalam had on Monday demanded that he apologize and resign from his post.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, Kumaramangalam had written to the Director General of Police, the City Police Commissioner and Home Minister seeking a reply on what action has been taken immediately against those involved in the molestation incidents.
Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra unit chief, Abu Azmi, said on Tuesday though it was the duty of police to ensure safety of women on New Year eve, women should not forget that “security starts at home”.
“Partying late night in half attire, blindly following western culture, has never been our culture. When a few women in half dress come out on streets late at night with their friends, such incidents do occur,” Azmi, an Member of the Legislative Assembly from Shivaji Nagar in suburban Mumbai.
The alleged incidents of molestation occurred on Saturday night in and around the junction of Brigade Road and M G Road, where thousands had gathered to herald the New Year.
Eyewitness accounts said that women were molested and groped and lewd remarks were also passed by miscreants late night on December 31 in the posh area even as it was claimed that 1500 police personnel were on the spot.
(The featured image at the top shows Bengaluru police baton charging eve teachers on New Year’s Eve)
