AIDWA condemns the horrific incidents of groping and mass molestation of girls by hooligans in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, on New Year’s Eve, which has once again brought to the fore women’s vulnerability to sexual assault in public spaces. The atrocity was compounded by an extremely objectionable statement by the Home Minister of Karnataka, Shri G. Parameshwar, justifying mass hooliganism, and reportedly commenting on the Western clothes worn by the girls as being the cause for such sexual misdemeanours. It is extremely reprehensible that despite an amended law being in place since the Nirbhaya incident, the police have acted very late and taken more than three days to arrest the offenders.
The lack of prompt, stringent action by the authorities, and the irresponsible statement of the State Home Minister has created a situation where molesters feel emboldened to assault women brazenly. Another incident of a woman being groped and molested in front of her house today, ( 4th January, - captured on camera and being relayed on the channels) exposes how vulnerable and unsafe women have become in one of the cities where a considerable section of young women are working in IT and other ‘sunshine’ industries. The rampant trend of conservative forces often blaming the victim for the sexual crimes committed against her as got another unfortunate fillip through these incidents.
AIDWA demands immediate arrest of all those involved in these outrageous incidents and strict action against the concerned police officer for dereliction of duty. Exemplary punishment of the perpetrators, in a time bound manner is called for. AIDWA wishes to point out that a Home Minister who cannot provide a safe environment for the young women in his state to bring in the New Year with joy has absolutely no right to continue in office.
The Karnataka State Committee of AIDWA will launch a protest demonstration in Bengaluru tomorrow demanding justice.
Malini Bhattacharya Mariam Dhawale
(President) (General Secretary)
