Eve-teasing, passing derogatory remarks, continuous staring, whistling, and hand gestures are some of the many ways in which a woman is harassed in public.
While some turn a blind eye to these perpetrators, others take the matter to the cops and try to teach them a lesson.
However, did you know that staring at any girl or woman for longer than 14 seconds can result in the imprisonment of the accused? This information was recently tweeted by the National Crime Investigation Bureau (NCIB) Headquarters from their official Twitter account.
In the tweet thread, they said in Hindi, “Looking at any girl/woman for more than 14 seconds can lead to jail.”
“This is because knowingly or unknowingly or jokingly, staring at a familiar or unfamiliar girl/woman for more than 14 seconds is a serious crime under sections 294 and 509 of the IPC. Such cases come under molestation.”
आवश्यक जानकारी :~
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किसी भी युवती/ महिला को 14 सेकेंड से ज्यादा देखने पर हो सकती है जेल। क्योंकि जाने-अंजाने व मजाक मे ही सही किसी परिचित व अपरिचित युवती/ महिला को 14 सेकेंड से ज्यादा घूरना IPC की धारा 294 व 509 के तहत गंभीर अपराध है। ऐसे मामले छेड़छाड़ के अंतर्गत आते है।— NCIB Headquarters (@NCIBHQ) November 27, 2022
They further said that those proven guilty of doing such acts can be imprisoned for a minimum of 3 months that can extend to a year. They could also be fined in this regard.
भारतीय दंड संहिता के तहत महिला या युवती के प्रति अश्लील हरकत, अभद्र इशारे या तीखी टिप्पणियां करने वाले पर एक वर्ष के कठोर कारावास की सजा या जुर्माना या दोनों लगाए जा सकते हैं।
— NCIB Headquarters (@NCIBHQ) November 28, 2022
It’s good that the NCIB decided to disseminate this vital information. But people online were intrigued to know how someone will prove that a person stared at them for more than 14 seconds.
You’ve got to be kidding https://t.co/VTYH9p8L6T
— Siddhant🇫🇷🇵🇹 (@siddhant_zoro) November 29, 2022
It's the most obnoxious law to have ever existed. The laws are biased and predatory. Instead of promoting equality, these laws victimize men. Repeal of such unscientific laws is the need of the hour. Indian Judiciary demands urgent reforms. https://t.co/yGgMVp2IsS
— 🇮🇳!RC (@VoiceOfRC1) November 28, 2022
Instead of making laws more implementable, we are making a mockery out of them by these kind of outlandish interpretations. Who exactly will be counting how many seconds ?
It's ok if staring happened for 13.99 secs and not 14.01 secs? Utter nonsense. Banana republic https://t.co/P5XgOo4i3m— Helios (@PostSuspension1) November 28, 2022
how do you figure out someone is looking at you for 14 second ?? you gotta observe him for 14 seconds ? and he sues back 😭😭👍 https://t.co/tkB3BP1Hx7
— y / anshu stan 🦊 (@aweirdusername_) November 28, 2022
I have lots of questions
Why only 14 sec?
What if the man was wearing glasses?
How can a girl prove it?
Why is this rule only limited to girls?I agree with the safety of women should be of the highest priority.
I think this rule can get misused, it should be analyzed properly https://t.co/5Iv73FFuSC pic.twitter.com/1DUJCWteSr— Akhil Chavan (@Akhilicious_) November 28, 2022
Those scratching their heads reacted with memes and jokes in the comments section. Take a look:
Sudhr jao boys 😂 https://t.co/fpwbZ68oAP
— sasssyyyyy (@SassySrj) November 28, 2022
*Me looks at a girl more than 14 secs.*
*Le girl :- https://t.co/Cqc06HPL1e pic.twitter.com/JFOXazH6GU
— Danish ❤️🇮🇳 (@Sillent_01) November 29, 2022
13 is the line, get a stopwatch https://t.co/2Yjt4VF8V8
— राकेश कुमार (RAKESH KUMAR)🗨️ (@rakesh19_98) November 29, 2022
Ppl following this law in metro : https://t.co/sLuoyxihB6 pic.twitter.com/3HkuZaxaOs
— Aman (@imboyaman) November 28, 2022
Relax boys
10 ,10 second ka 2 round lagaenge https://t.co/IfkCtlZgc3— S H I V A (@Rajput_Shiva9) November 28, 2022
Me next time when I meet a girl https://t.co/r3PTT5xn5i pic.twitter.com/OVHXqGumF5
— KESHAV (@keshavk789) November 28, 2022
and my ex thought 14 sec was too short…. https://t.co/3OUQYJSVD7
— Agyani (@aaagyaani) November 28, 2022
Meanwhile Emran Hashmi, took that as a challenge. https://t.co/GWQt9krPK7 pic.twitter.com/hb41pZI604
— DrLC👨⚕️ (@TheG00dDoctor) November 28, 2022
Phir to yahi hoga pic.twitter.com/EttM281MSZ
— Vł₲łⱠ₳₦₮Ɇ⚓ (@SuryaEdwardSta1) November 28, 2022
Mai to ankh daan kar diya
Ab aap sabki bari hai pic.twitter.com/y46YsWAe2H
— I’m sorry 😐 Babu (@champ_x65) November 27, 2022
Ok… pic.twitter.com/gv5eqeUm7V
— INFERNO (@SmokingLiberals) November 27, 2022
— Shubh (@shhhubhh) November 27, 2022
— Dharmveer Choudhary (@Dharmve32005450) November 27, 2022
Some raised this important question:
What if any women do it with men's. We have any law for that? @NCIBHQ 👏👌👌🖕🖕🖕 https://t.co/taBBlV3Z7z
— 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘢𝘳⚡️ (@SaaleManhoos) November 28, 2022
What about men ? Why rules are not same ?
GENDER equality is joke to you? https://t.co/gshTBLu2vA
— 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐙𝐄𝐍™ 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐊 (@HeyltsFrozy) November 28, 2022
Jokes apart. I think this law needs introspection and updating. What do you think?