The Latest

Maneka Gandhi’s Shallow Statement On Hostel Curfew For Women Is Outrageous On So Many Levels

bySaurabh Pandey
7th March 2017
2 minute read

Union minister of women and child development, Maneka Gandhi is a prominent figure in the Indian political scenario. Known for being outspoken towards matters like women safety, human rights and animal rights, she has earned immense recognition and rewards throughout the world.

On the other hand, she has also sparked controversies in the past by labelling men as the root cause of all violence and something similar has just happened again.

In a recent interview with NDTV regarding the International Women’s Day, Maneka Gandhi was asked the reason behind early curfews in hostels for women, while men are allowed to stay out late. Her answer to the question left everyone baffled.

Image Source
“As a parent who’s sending a daughter to a college – or a son – I would expect her and him to be protected. And perhaps one of the protections is against themselves. When you are 16 or 17 you are also hormonally very challenged. So to protect you from your own hormonal outbursts, perhaps a lakshman rekha is drawn. It really is for your own safety.”

 

Speaking further on the issue, Ms Gandhi made a stereotypical remark while saying how increased security at the premises can not tackle the problem.

Representational Image
“No, not by two Bihari gentlemen at the gate with dandas (sticks). It has to be solved literally by giving time limits for everything…. Give them (boys) two nights to go to the library and two nights for girls — if you want to go to the library, that is.”

 

Later, when she was asked why men should be treated differently than women, the minister gave yet another weird suggestion.

“Yes, so maybe the same deadlines should be there for both boys and girls… Why should the boys be allowed to wander about in the campus after 6’o-clock? Let them also stay in and do their work.”

 

And social media didn’t take much time in dissing Ms Gandhi for her remark.

1. Blame the victim instead of punishing the culprit

 

2. Exactly!

 

3. On a lighter note

 

4. Probably everyone is wondering

 

5. Well done indeed

Image Source

While women safety is a matter of grave concern in our country, imposing such rules and restrictions on anyone, be it men or women is downright outrageous. Coming from a union minister who heads the women and child welfare ministry, these remarks are in stark contrast of what the ministry should actually aim at doing.

News Source: NDTV

Cover Image Source

📣 Storypick is now on Telegram! Click here to join our channel (@storypick) and never miss another great story.