Abu Azmi does it again, says women should be properly dressed

SP MLA says women going out on New Year's Eve can't expect respect

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara seems to have found an ally in Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra unit chief and MLA Abu Asim Azmi, who reiterated that women should be properly dressed and avoid wearing revealing clothes.

“Hang all those who are accused of rape... but at the same time, I would like to say and reiterate that girls should also take precautions... girls should ensure security,” Azmi, a former Rajya Sabha member, said in the wake of the Bengaluru New Year’s Eve mass molestation incident. “What has happened is unfortunate.... what he (Parameshwara) said is harsh reality,” he added. Azmi thus came out in support of Parameshwara, who reportedly said: “We had deployed 1,500 police personnel in the area for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Such incidents do happen on New Year’s Day and on Christmas. We take a lot of precautions.”

Azmi, whose businessman-hotelier son Farhan is married to actress Ayesha Takia, said that he stands by his views and what he can do is only advise so that such incidents do not recur. “You have to keep petrol away from fire. And if there is sugar, ants will come automatically to it," said Azmi, following which there was widespread condemnation.

“In today's world, the more scantily she is dressed, the more modern and educated she is considered. Such a trend is gaining ground. Western culture is a black spot on the country's culture and it should be stopped. And we need to focus on our famous Indian culture,” he said and advocated ‘burqa’ and ‘purdah’.

“If my sister or women from the family go out after sunset with a boy to celebrate New Year, we cannot expect people to behave with her in a respectable manner. I am sure several people would be disappointed with my remarks but I don't care....what I am saying is that no police (force) in the world can stop such incidents (fully)...ladies need to be properly dressed,” he said.

Azmi made similar comments in 2014: “Women should not venture out with men who are not relatives...what is the need for roaming at night with men who are not relatives? This should be stopped...”