SP leader Abu Azmi blames Western culture for Bengaluru mass molestation, NCW issues summons

Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi blamed Western culture and women's clothes for the mass molestation that took place on the streets of Bengaluru on New Year’s Eve.

"It is very unfortunate. These days, girls and boys hang out with each other. If we say anything, then we are called old-fashioned. As per Indian culture, a distance was maintained between men and women; women would stay in ghoongat in front of men," Azmi told Times Now in an interview.

Azmi continued, "But today, the shorter a woman's clothes, the more fashionable and educated she is considered. These things are increasing in the country. It is highly shameful as per Indian values. Western culture is taking over our society. We need to stop that. We need to go back to our culture."

His comment came after a front-page report in Bangalore Mirror about unruly mobs molesting women late night on MG Road and Brigade Road on New Year's Eve.

Lalitha Kumaramangalam, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chief, said "A few men across parties have made disgusting statements. If men at this level say such things, where is the nation heading?"

"We have sent summons to both of them (Karnataka Home Minister G Parmeshwara and Azmi) over their statements," she added. Reacting to the incident, G Parameshwara had on Monday said, "Such incidents do happen on New Year day and on Christmas."

In reaction to Azmi's remarks, Pink actress Taapsee Pannu tweeted, "I wish we had invited him for a special screening of #Pink or let me buy a ticket for him to see!"

I wish we had invited him for a special screening of #Pink or let me buy a ticket for him to see! https://t.co/vVQJOgk0YW

— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) January 3, 2017

(With agency inputs)