Bengaluru: Under attack over his controversial remarks on New Year eve molestation here, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwar on Thursday asserted that he was committed to protection of women and suspected a ‘hidden agenda’ behind highlighting the incident.
Dr Parameshwar said he was extremely pained that his statement on the alleged molestation incident had been interpreted out of context and not taken in its entirety.
“My comments had nothing to do with molestation or western culture. The remarks referred to the incident, it was not about dress or molestation,” he told reporters here.
As horrific incidents of alleged molestation of several women on MG Road and Brigade Road during New Year revelry came to light, triggering a national outrage, Parameshwar had talked about the 'western ways' of youngsters in remarks that came under scathing attack from different quarters.
Dr Parameshwar had told a TV news channel, “Youngsters who are almost like westerners, they try to copy westerners not only in mindset, but even the dressing.”
National Commission for Women Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam had slammed Dr Parameshwar's remarks, demanding that he resign.
NCW, as also Karnataka State Commission for Women, had sought separate reports from the administration and police over the incidents.
Dr Parameshwar said he would reply to the NCW notice. He would also reply to a notice sent by Delhi Women's Rights Commission, but not before examining whether any state has the power to send such a notice to a minister of another state.
“I never even mentioned the word molestation. I don't know how this whole thing took a different turn, which altogether gave an impression that I made a statement that molestation happens every time, which was absolutely wrong,” he said. “The choice of every citizen of our country should be respected. Women have equal rights, respect and protection under the Constitution,” he said. He said he was not one who treats women in a different sense, but respects them, for everyone hails from that kind of culture.
