<p>A top Kerala official's comments that staring "annoyingly" at a woman for 14 seconds can land a man in jail as per certain sections of law has gone viral on social media with a state minister terming them "irritating".<br /><br /></p>.<p>"There are sections in law to jail a man for annoyingly staring at a woman for 14 seconds. Please use it (the provisions in the law), if it is the case," State Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh said.<br /><br />He made the comments at an event organised by a charitable trust here two days ago.<br /><br />Urging women to fight the hooligans disturbing them, Singh had also asked them to carry knives and chili spray in their bags to protect themselves from such elements.<br /><br />"Are you carrying a knife in your bag? Are you carrying chilly spray? Time is over for taking such precautions" he had said.<br /><br />While Singh's words drew varied reactions on social media, Kerala Sports Minister E P Jayarajan termed them as "irritating".<br /><br />"The remarks are irritating. If a bureaucrat makes remarks which are not in law, certainly the minister concerned will examine it and necessary steps will be taken," he told reporters.<br /><br />Singh's comments drew humorous reactions on social media, with jokes such as -- how a man who went to see a woman at her home following a marriage proposal ended up in jail for staring at her for more than 14 seconds.<br /><br />Some also expressed doubts over the points made by Singh.<br /><br />They asked, "What will happen if a man blinks while staring at her continuously for 14 seconds?... what about a man who stares at a woman wearing a sunglass?".<br /><br />Rishiraj Singh had courted controversy in July last year for not saluting the then Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at a passing out parade in Thrissur.</p>
<p>A top Kerala official's comments that staring "annoyingly" at a woman for 14 seconds can land a man in jail as per certain sections of law has gone viral on social media with a state minister terming them "irritating".<br /><br /></p>.<p>"There are sections in law to jail a man for annoyingly staring at a woman for 14 seconds. Please use it (the provisions in the law), if it is the case," State Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh said.<br /><br />He made the comments at an event organised by a charitable trust here two days ago.<br /><br />Urging women to fight the hooligans disturbing them, Singh had also asked them to carry knives and chili spray in their bags to protect themselves from such elements.<br /><br />"Are you carrying a knife in your bag? Are you carrying chilly spray? Time is over for taking such precautions" he had said.<br /><br />While Singh's words drew varied reactions on social media, Kerala Sports Minister E P Jayarajan termed them as "irritating".<br /><br />"The remarks are irritating. If a bureaucrat makes remarks which are not in law, certainly the minister concerned will examine it and necessary steps will be taken," he told reporters.<br /><br />Singh's comments drew humorous reactions on social media, with jokes such as -- how a man who went to see a woman at her home following a marriage proposal ended up in jail for staring at her for more than 14 seconds.<br /><br />Some also expressed doubts over the points made by Singh.<br /><br />They asked, "What will happen if a man blinks while staring at her continuously for 14 seconds?... what about a man who stares at a woman wearing a sunglass?".<br /><br />Rishiraj Singh had courted controversy in July last year for not saluting the then Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at a passing out parade in Thrissur.</p>