Former top cop insults Nirbhaya, her mother, and all women
What's the story
A former Karnataka top cop created controversy with his misogynistic and patronizing statements.
While speaking to an audience, once-DGP HT Sangliana noted that Nirbhaya's mother has a "very very nice" physique, and wondered "how beautiful Nirbhaya could have been."
Then he went deeper, advising women to accept rape to save themselves.
While clarifying, he said he was only addressing the vulnerability of "beautiful people."
Braveheart
Who is Nirbhaya?
Jyoti Singh, named 'Nirbhaya' ('Fearless') by the media, was abducted and brutally gang-raped by six men on a Delhi bus on December 16, 2012. Her friend was assaulted when he tried to help.
She died two weeks later.
The horrific crime shook India and the world. Thousands took to the streets in protest across several cities, demanding stricter laws and safety for women.
Statements
Sangliana was speaking at the Nirbhaya Awards 2018 in Bengaluru
Sangliana was speaking at the Nirbhaya Awards 2018 in Bengaluru on March 8, International Women's Day.
The event acknowledged women who had achieved heights in their fields while breaking patriarchal barriers.
"When I look at (Nirbhaya's mother), her physique is very very nice. Then how beautiful Nirbhaya could have been," he said.
"People like Nirbhaya attracted the attention of miscreants," he added.
'Advice'
Former cop offers 'advice' for women to keep themselves safe
Making matters worse, Sangliana went on to offer advice to women to keep themselves safe.
"If you are overpowered, you should surrender initially and later follow up the case," he said.
Sangliana also suggested using pepper sprays. But victims are generally too shocked to pull out pepper spray during an attack, said journalist Pushpa Achanta.
Several attendees reportedly walked out of the event.
Quote
With clarification, Sangliana puts himself in deeper controversy
"If someone says I still look young and have a good physique, I feel happy. I only wanted to highlight the vulnerability of women in general and beautiful people in particular. Beautiful people need protection and caution so that they won't become victims," he explained.