My words misunderstood, distorted; regret any pain to women: Karnataka HM G Parameshwara
Bengaluru, Apr 8 (PTI): A day after he found himself in a controversy for his remarks over the recent molestation incident here, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said, his statement was not understood properly and it was distorted.
He also said that he would express regret if it has caused pain to anyone, especially the women.
Parameswara repeatedly asserted that he is someone who believes in the importance of providing safety and protection to women and as the Home Minister he is committed to ensure their safety, and has taken several measures in this regard.
Responding to the incident where a woman was molested while walking in Suddaguntepalya on April 3, Parameshwara on Monday had said: "Police are working continuously round-the-clock braving rain and cold. That is why there is peace in Bengaluru. In a big city like Bengaluru, incidents like this do take place here and there."
This statement had created a controversy, eliciting a strong criticism from opposition BJP and the National Commission for Women (NCW) too had sought a public apology.
"On the directions of NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, the Commission has strongly objected to the insensitive remarks made by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on the recent Bengaluru molestation case.
Such statements trivialise crimes against women. NCW has written to the Hon'ble Governor & Hon'ble CM of Karnataka demanding a public apology from the Home Minister and urgent action to strengthen law and order," NCW said in a post on 'X'.
Clarifying his statement Parameshwara on Tuesday said, "Yesterday my statement has not been properly understood by you (media), and other platforms too have understood it differently. I'm always for women's protection.
As a Home Minister I have implemented various progrmmes like the Nirbhaya scheme. When compared to other states we have spent more Nirbhaya funds and implemented it along with the central government. I would like to share what we have done for the protection of women some day."
Speaking with reporters here, he said, "distorting some statement and speaking about me is not right. I believe and have taken several measures for the protection of women -- our sisters and mothers. If there are any issues (concerning women's safety), I have made officials in the department responsible. So my statement should not be projected by distorting it."
"I'm not saying this for those from the BJP, who are doing politics. If my statement has caused pain to anyone -- our sisters, mothers, I express regret. But there is no need to take it to different platforms by projectingit in a different way," he added.
Stating that during daily briefings by the police commissioners or during briefing from across the state, he is keeping an eye on such cases concerning safety of women, the Home Minister said, "While reviewing, I regularly instruct police to take strict action whether it is cases of harassment, POCSO cases. So there is no question of any negligence or any indifference on my part."
"I will take all the strict measures required in favour of women and their safety. This is not just for the sake of making statements," he said.
To a question on allegations that atrocities against women have increased in the state in last couple of years, Parameshwara asked,"should I give the number of cases when the BJP was in power?"
"I have already given the statistics. If they claim that nothing happened during their period, people will laugh at it," he said.
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Kashmiri shawl vendors slapped in Mussoorie, forced to shut shop
Dehradun (PTI): A video went viral on the social media here on Tuesday in which two Kashmiri shawl vendors in Mussoorie can be seen being slapped by a group of local men and forced to shut their shop.
In the video, they were seen being abused and slapped repeatedly by a group of three persons led by a bearded man and were asked to wind up and pack off. They were slapped a few times more after one of them produced an Aadhar card establishing his identity as an inhabitant of Jammu and Kashmir.
The three men who slapped the shawl vendors have been arrested, DGP Deepam Seth said.
Jammu and Kashmir Students Association national convenor Nasir Khuehami said, "We received deeply disturbing and chilling reports from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, where two Kashmiri shawl sellers were brutally assaulted by members of the Bajrang Dal.
"Also, around 16 other Kashmiri traders, mostly from the Kupwara district, have been threatened, harassed, and forcibly evicted from their rented accommodations," he said.
Many of them have been doing business and selling shawls in Mussoorie for years, contributing to the local economy and living peacefully within the community, he said.
The three men apologised for their actions and promised they would not repeat such conduct in the future, Khuehami said, adding that legal proceedings are being initiated against them under the Police Act.
The accused identified as Suraj Singh, a resident of Post Kempty, Tehri Garhwal; Pradeep Singh, a resident of Hathipaon, Mussoorie; and Abhishek Uniyal, a resident of Company Garden, Mussoorie.
Around 16 Kashmiri shawl vendors from Mussoorie have now returned to the Kashmir valley, Khuehami said.
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