K'taka HM cries foul, says remarks over Bengaluru molestation case 'interpreted out of context'

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], Jan. 3 (ANI): Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who has been drawing for his comments on the Bengaluru mass molestation incident on the New year's eve, on Tuesday asserted that his remarks have been interpreted out of context and not taken in its entirety. "Such incidents do happen on New Year day and on Christmas. We take a lot of precautions," Parameshwara had said after which he received flurry of criticism from all over the country. Issuing a clarification, Parameshwara today said, "I am extremely pained by the fact that my statement with respect to the alleged molestation incident on New Year's Day, has been interpreted out of context and not taken in its entirety." "I sincerely believe that the choice of every citizen of our country should be respected. Women have equal rights, respect and protection under our constitution." "From the day I took over as Home Minister I have stressed on the protection of women and children and will continue to do so," he added. The Minister further said that the Bangalore Police is working round the clock going through footage of all the CCTV cameras and following up on all the leads available. "We will take necessary action suo moto and also request anybody who has any information to come forth and report it to the police," he said. However, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued summons to Parameshwara for his 'disgusting' assertions. Bengaluru was shamed when hooligans virtually took over the most prominent streets in the city where restaurants and hotels had stayed open till past midnight on December 31 and started molesting and groping women. The distraught women were virtually held captive as the mobs went berserk. It was reported that no one came to their rescue despite the fact that the state government had deployed almost 1,500 policemen in the area apprehending incidents of violence. However, with cops standing as mute spectators to the sexual abuse, the crowd behaved in an even more boorish manner. Even as women rushed towards cops and tried to seek safety, the hooligans still chased them down and tried to drag them away. (ANI)