'Happens In A Big City': Karnataka Home Minister After Woman Groped In Bengaluru

BJP spokesperson Prashanth G termed the home minister's remark as "insensitive". "Is he normalising sexual assault and crimes against women?" he asked.

The home minister said he has instructed police commissioner to increase beat patrolling.

Source : X

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has landed in a controversy over his comments on a recent sexual assault case in the IT hub Bengaluru. Reacting to a viral CCTV camera video that showed a woman being groped by a man in BTM layout, the minister said such incidents were "common in big cities".

The state home minister said, "Incidents like these tend to happen here and there in a big city like this. Whatever legal action needs to be taken will be done in accordance with the law. I have also instructed our commissioner to increase beat patrolling."

"I keep telling the police commissioner daily to be careful, to monitor all areas through patrolling. This is something I say almost every day. The cops are working 24X7...We will take necessary action according to the law. I have spoken to the commissioner this morning too," he added.

The video showed two women walking through a narrow alleyway when a man who was seemingly following them caught them, cornered them and groped one of the women before fleeing the scene.

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BJP has hit out at the Congress government over the incident and said the viral video has exposed the reality of the city's law and order situation.

BJP spokesperson Prashanth G termed the home minister's remark as "insensitive". "Is he normalising sexual assault and crimes against women? He is shying away from responsibility and doesn't want to be accountable," he said. 

BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan said Parameshwara's remark reflects his helplessness.

"The groping incident is condemnable. The Home Minister's response is disgusting and demotivating. People are losing confidence because of these incidents and statements. His statement shows how helpless he is as a home minister. He should make a responsible statement," Narayan said.