Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday apologised for his "such things do happen" remark over the Bengaluru molestation case. Notably, Parameshwara faced sharp criticism for his controversial remark.
"I want to clarify that the statement I made yesterday wasn't understood properly, I am someone who has always had a lot of concern for the safety of women, I have ensured Nirbhaya funds are utilised well for the safety of women," Paraameshwara said as reported by NDTV.
"I don't want my statement to be twisted. If any women have been hurt by this, I express my regret and apologise," he added.
On Monday, while interacting with reporters about the Bengaluru molestation case in which a man was seen groping a woman on a street in Bengaluru, before fleeing from the spot., the Karnataka Home Minister said that such incidents happen in big cities like Bengaluru.
The minister said that the Police are working to maintain peace in the city. "Police are working continuously round-the-clock ignoring rain and cold. That is why there is peace in Bengaluru. In a big city like Bengaluru, incidents like this take place here and there," the minister said.
G Parameshwara's Controversial Remark:
The minister directed Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda to strengthen patrolling on a daily basis. He added that he regularly tells the police commissioner that they have to be alert, the beat system should be followed regularly and monitoring should be enhanced.
"I tell him that patrolling should happen in every area in a disciplined and effective way. We take action as per law. The beat system has to be made very effective. That is the reason that I directed the police commissioner about it," Parameshwara told reporters.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the Siddaramaih government in the state over the state home minister's remark. "This is such an insensitive remark. Is he normalising sexual assault and crimes against women? He is shying away from responsibility and doesn't want to be accountable," BJP spokesperson Prashanth G said as reported by NDTV.
On April 3, a woman was molested by an unidentified man while walking on a deserted street late at night. The incident, which reportedly occurred on April 3, was captured on CCTV and has since gone viral on social media, sparking outrage over women's safety in the city.
