DCW demands Delhi Police to act against Azmi, Parameshwara

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal on Wednesday sought action from Delhi Police against Abu Azmi and G Parameshwara for their alleged sexist remarks after the molestations by a mob on New Year’s eve in Bengaluru.

Maliwal shot off a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma and urged him to file an FIR against Samajwadi Party MLA from Maharashtra Abu Azmi and Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code. 

The letter that was sent to Delhi Police Commissioner on Wednesday was signed by Maliwal along with other prominent members of the DCW namely Promila Gupta, Sarika Choudhury and Farheen Mallick.

Speaking to the media, Parameshwara had blamed the influence of western culture for such crimes against women, while Azmi advocated more modest dressing for women.

The DCW chief denounced both politicians for their comments on women’s sartorial choices. 

“Parameshwara and Azmi have made extremely misogynistic statements on this incident which has caused national and international outrage,” Maliwal wrote in the letter. 

“Parameshwara, despite being the Home Minister of Karnataka, casually referred to the molestation incidents as ones which happen usually, thereby implying that these are not big incidents,” she wrote.

Maliwal said: “Azmi crossed all boundaries by saying that women walking alone at night or not covering their bodies fully and ensuring a ‘burqa’ or ‘pallu’ invite sexual violence.” 

In the letter, the members of the DCW mentioned that taking no action on the statements of the two ministers will encourage more acts of molestation and sexual violence since two ministers have put the onus of criminal acts on women and girls themselves.

The members also added that lack of action from the top cop will also have an adverse impact on women and girls of Delhi as well as in other parts of the country.