BENGALURU: The police have detained at least six suspects following an outrage over the mass molestation on New Year's eve in MG Road, Bengaluru. The police first denied any occurrence of sexual harassment, however, later in the week, police officer Hemant Nimbalkar said as many as six men were detained after several video clips of women being attacked by groups of men caught traction on the internet.
Bringing to light the constant incidence of violence and the lack of respect inflicted on women, the 'Night of Shame' as it is being called, saw several prominent political leaders slut shame victims. A senior state government minister said the incidents took place because the women were acting like westerners - implying their clothes were responsible for provoking the attacks. Initially, police said no complaints were filed against anybody. State Home Minister G Parameshwara criticised young women for "copying the Westerners, not only in their mindset, but even in their dressing. These kinds of things do happen." Since then, one woman came forward to speak of how she was molested, while others said they saw women being molested or groped and that revellers were making lewd remarks.
Another major incident that came to light was the molestation of a girl by two drunk men on a bike in Kammanhalli area. In a CCTV footage, two motorbike-borne men were seen trying to molest a girl who was walking towards home. The pillion rider gets down and molests her, pushing her to the ground as she resists, and fleeing once the victim raises alarm for help. The perpetrators have since been identified and are currently in police custody.
