Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Babulal Gaur after his recent trip to Chennai said, that the senior police officials he met told him that women here were fully clothed and visited temples every day. Would this have a bearing on Chennai’s crime rate?
‘Conservative’ is a term that outsiders usually use for the city, but without realizing that the city has to be seen in a more nuanced way. Such black and white terms do not any more fit a society that manages to balance retaining its rich traditions with modernity in many respects. A few people DC spoke to for their views on Mr Gaur’s observations were suitably vocal.
Bharat Raman, lawyer
It’s a completely bigoted statement that is rooted in male chauvinism. The credit for the lower rate of crime in Chennai should be given to the mentality of men in Tamil Nadu and should not be attributed to the dressing of women here or religious rituals.
Amrita Kundu, student, ACJ
I am from Madhya Pradesh and have seen both Chennai and most parts of Madhya Pradesh. The crime rate against women here is less because the women here are more in control and take action while it is not so in Madhya Pradesh.
Cary Edwards, stand up comedian
Politicians are usually like this, and this man too did not have the slightest idea about what he was saying. It is ignorance and arrogance too to make such a statement; I think politicians should be much more aware of what they are speaking.
Pankaj Menon, student Madras University
There are fewer crimes in Chennai because the police officials are efficient and not because women are fully clothed. People in Chennai are not religious fanatics, but are rational minded.
Judy Balan, author
I’m done being outraged. Nowadays, I just find hilarity in these ignorant remarks. It’s a lot of fodder for my work as well, so no complaints.
