Indian minister under fire over remark on women

NEW DELHI: An Indian minister apologised Friday for causing offence after remarking that men were now “scared to talk to women” amid an ongoing public debate about sexual harassment following several high-profile cases.

“I’m scared to talk to a woman these days. I don't even want to keep a female secretary. Who knows, I might end up in jail because of a complaint,” New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah told reporters.

Speaking outside parliament, he added that he wasn't “blaming the girls. I’m blaming society itself”.

After condemnation from women’s rights activists who accused him of trivialising a serious issue, he issued a partial apology for “hurting sentiments” but said he had been misconstrued.

“They (my comments) have been completely misunderstood,” said Abdullah, who is from the Muslim-majority Kashmir region.

Abdullah's son Omar, who is chief minister of the restive Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir state, joined calls for his father to apologise.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “I'm sure the attempt wasn't to trivialise important issue of women's security so I hope dad apologises for the misplaced attempt at humour.”

Widespread media attention on sexual harassment is part of changes brought about by the fatal gang-rape of a student on a New Delhi bus last December which led to profound introspection about gender inequality in India.

The editor of India's leading investigative magazine, Tehelka, is in police custody and faces a possible rape charge that could see him jailed for 10 years after a complaint from a junior colleague.

A Supreme Court judge is also being investigated for allegedly harassing an intern.

A new law passed in the wake of the Delhi gang-rape toughened sentences for rape and also contained new penalties for acts such as voyeurism, stalking and groping.

The UN special rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, said in May that women in India suffered from “a generalised sense of insecurity in public spaces, amenities, (and) transport facilities in particular”.

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Comments (11) Closed

anil

Dec 06, 2013 05:19pm

I also share the same thoughts . What Mr.Abdulla said is absolutely right . Generally politicians and high profile personalities are prone to such charges.But I won't apologize...

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WhatInAName

Dec 06, 2013 06:35pm

@anil: ok Good.. now NO ONE will talk to your sister or your daughter. They will thank you for giving them the isolation in life. Instead of supporting a good cause, you are justifying inequality. Introspect pls.

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Aptha

Dec 06, 2013 08:01pm

No need for scare when one has done nothing. In Tejpal's case he has accepted his mis behavior. So Mr.Abdulla's apology is must.

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Karachi Wala

Dec 06, 2013 08:08pm

"Speaking outside parliament, he added that he wasn't

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Vinay

Dec 06, 2013 11:22pm

@anil: Politicians and high profile personalities can take advantage of their power/position and indulge in such activities which could result in being charged. They need to be extra careful in dealing with women since the stakes are too high for them.

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muhibbewatan

Dec 07, 2013 12:24am

An unconditional apology is the least that Mr. Abdullah can do at this time. No ifs or buts! However, the fact remains that ever since the Delhi tragedy of last year hit the Indian social fabric, menfolk are apprehensive about the consequences in a situation like the one outlined by Mr. Abdullah in his public comments. This, I believe, is a 'fear rather than a fact' and should not have been uttered, especially because it reflects a certain mindset or trend affecting public figures. The truth lies in the development of the Indian societal norms of free mixing of the genders with a very thin dividing line of modesty (hadd-e-maryada), which is sometimes crossed (or allowed to cross), thereby, creating an unwanted situation about the relationship itself. So, the primary thing is to set proper standards and clarify the 'expectancy' of each party so as to prevent ugly situations. Law enforcement agencies need to enforce the laws in an unbiased manner to instill confidence among the womenfolk of the country so that they start looking at menfolk with lesser and lesser apprehension. Simultaneously, the media should take the lead in educating the public about respect and sanctity towards womenfolk.

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saleh

Dec 07, 2013 01:03am

One of the rare occasions when a public official speaks the truth out aloud.

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Krishna

Dec 07, 2013 06:28am

@anil: I also share with Mr. Abdulla .He is right.

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Komal S

Dec 07, 2013 06:56am

@anil: Sorry Mr. Abdullah is wrong. To say that he is scared to hire women employees because of potential risk in being fabricated with false claims is the most insensitive thing. First he is diluting the seriousness of the issue and secondly people at his stature should be instead saying how men should learn to respect/treat women in a society. Only crooks make these kind of statements. He has to genuinely apologize.

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Ali wadood

Dec 07, 2013 08:35am

One can meet women, and can help. A man is allowed to go and see a woman in her residency, and a women can come into a man's room. in good sense, this is what the Quran tells about dealing with women. With the high profile jobs i guess a woman can also come up with a problem, and her problems should be also adressed nicely.

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VARUN

Dec 07, 2013 11:47am

@anil:I won't agree with you my friend. There used to be a time when these women were suppressed by fear of powerful men in higher positions. But with stringent rules & with media's backup emerging modern Indian women are feeling comfortable to lodge complaints. From my point this is a good sign......... The comments Mr. Abdullah has made are not suitable to his post.

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