Kerala Minister locks horns with DGP over right to ogle at girls

Staring at girls for more than 14 seconds is a punishable offence, says Kerala Excise Commissioner DGP Rishiraj Singh. But Sports Minister EP Jayarajan stared him down for the statement and termed  it 'disgusting.' 

Though Kerala is 100% literate, the women are not safe in the state, said, Singh, while addressing a cultural gathering organised by Chartered Accountancy students at Kochi on Sunday. He also urged girls to be bold and respond to attacks on them with courage. "Most of the girls won't show the courage to confront eve teasers in most cases; they let the offenders free by not filing complaints against them," he said. 

The IPS officer also said that flesh trade and female trafficking were on the rise in the state. Women should learn basic things to protect themselves. "Always keep pepper spray or pocket knives in your bag. Don't let the offenders go free, confront them. Raise your voice and be bold to file complaint against offenders," he said.

But his statement invited the wrath of state Minister for Sports EP Jayarajan.  The minister said that there was nothing in the law that stipulated the 14-second limit to staring. "If an officer says something which is not in the law, it should be corrected. And I will invite the attention of the concerned minister to the statement," Jayarajan said. "People will find such comments as very disgusting," he added.  

Also read: Kerala Minister's blooper:  Calls Muhammad Ali a Keralite

• staring at girls
• ogling
• EP Jayarajan
• Rishiraj Singh