NEW DELHI: West Bengal minister Swapan Debnath on Thursday sparked controversy with his remarks about the ' Reclaim the night ' movement, suggesting that women drink liquor during the demonstrations and parents should keep an eye on their daughters' activities during these late-night protests, news agency PTI reported.
The animal resources development minister while addressing a gathering in Purba Bardhaman district gave example of an alleged incident where a female protestor was seen drinking alcohol with two men at a hotel during one such agitation.
"What if something untoward would have happened to the woman? Our men had kept vigil at that time. But if they were not around? My words for parents -- your daughter had gone to join a protest. That's fine. But later, she was seen consuming liquor. We informed you (parents) to take her home, we also asked the police to ensure she is safe," Debnath can be seen saying in the video.
The minister also mentioned that he had requested local hotel owners not to serve alcohol to women after midnight. He urged parents to be more vigilant and monitor their daughters' activities outside the home after midnight, adding, "Any untoward incident will make the state accountable. We are certainly responsible for the safety of women. But those out there also have a responsibility."
However, PTI was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the video that went viral on social media platforms.
Debnath further said that while the state government is responsible for any unfortunate incidents, everyone shares the responsibility for women's safety .
Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress , however, distanced itself from the minister's comments. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said that the party does not support such comments.
"We cannot dictate any individual's behaviour, man or woman. Whether she should have drinks or not or where she will go. We are not into moral policing," said Ghosh.
"But the underlying note of concern for the safety of a woman, which is apparent in the comment of Swapan Debnath, should not be overlooked at the same time. It is another matter whether he should have expressed his views in such a manner in the first place," Ghosh added.
The 'Reclaim the night' movement, held in protest against the rape and murder of a woman doctor at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was first organised on August 14 across West Bengal and repeated on three more occasions with participation of thousands of women.
The animal resources development minister while addressing a gathering in Purba Bardhaman district gave example of an alleged incident where a female protestor was seen drinking alcohol with two men at a hotel during one such agitation.
"What if something untoward would have happened to the woman? Our men had kept vigil at that time. But if they were not around? My words for parents -- your daughter had gone to join a protest. That's fine. But later, she was seen consuming liquor. We informed you (parents) to take her home, we also asked the police to ensure she is safe," Debnath can be seen saying in the video.
The minister also mentioned that he had requested local hotel owners not to serve alcohol to women after midnight. He urged parents to be more vigilant and monitor their daughters' activities outside the home after midnight, adding, "Any untoward incident will make the state accountable. We are certainly responsible for the safety of women. But those out there also have a responsibility."
However, PTI was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the video that went viral on social media platforms.
Debnath further said that while the state government is responsible for any unfortunate incidents, everyone shares the responsibility for women's safety .
Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress , however, distanced itself from the minister's comments. Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said that the party does not support such comments.
"We cannot dictate any individual's behaviour, man or woman. Whether she should have drinks or not or where she will go. We are not into moral policing," said Ghosh.
"But the underlying note of concern for the safety of a woman, which is apparent in the comment of Swapan Debnath, should not be overlooked at the same time. It is another matter whether he should have expressed his views in such a manner in the first place," Ghosh added.
The 'Reclaim the night' movement, held in protest against the rape and murder of a woman doctor at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was first organised on August 14 across West Bengal and repeated on three more occasions with participation of thousands of women.
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