Sangliana kicks up row with remarks on Nirbhaya's mom

Former MP and retired IPS officer H T Sangliana has kicked up a controversy with his remarks on Asha Devi, the mother of the 2012 Delhi rape victim Nirbhaya.  

At a function to honour women on March 9, the former top cop-turned-politician was heard saying:  "When I look at Asha Devi, her physique is nice. How beautiful Nirbhaya could have been...the story of Nirbhaya, who attracted the attention of miscreants who killed her after raping her, is indeed sorrowful. All of us have to get together to fight against such wrong behaviour of men."

When contacted,  Sangliana, however said he stood by his statement about Asha Devi.

Clarifying on his statement, Sangliana said he only complimented her and to draw the attention of the people about how vulnerable women are. "I only wanted to compliment Nirbhaya's mother and nothing else. But women have become very sensitive. I myself have four daughters, the statement I made was not to belittle any lady, it was purely to compliment God's gift," he added.

At the function, Sangaliana also suggested that women facing sexual assaults should first focus on saving their lives.  "If the woman saves her life, she can be a strong evidence against her attackers where she can help the police nail the culprit. If she loses her life, then it would become very difficult to prove such cases. Many a time, cases have fallen apart due to lack of evidence," Sangliana added.

IGP D Roopa, who was also present at the event, said that she did not hear him saying anything as she was busy giving instructions on the phone. "If Sangliana has made such a statement, it is condemnable and very insensitive," she added.