Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara’s statement that “incidents like these occur in big cities” in reaction to a recent case of sexual assault in Bengaluru has sparked widespread outrage in India. The comment, which was perceived by many as dismissive and insensitive, has attracted criticism from women’s rights groups, politicians, and the public in general.
The crime in question had been that of a woman being attacked in the midst of Bengaluru, raising grave questions regarding safety and policing in one of India’s top metropolitan cities. When speaking to the media, Parameshwara had said that such things happen in big cities—a comment many felt trivialized the seriousness of the crime.
Following the backlash, the minister explained that he did not mean to belittle the assault. He said police have been ordered to increase beat patrolling, improve surveillance, and provide quick justice to the victim. Authorities also promised to increase night-time security and add more CCTV cameras in exposed areas.
In spite of these guarantees, outrage keeps building among the public, with residents calling for more accountability and action and not merely words. The event has renewed discussions pertaining to women’s safety in metropolitans and political leaders’ involvement in being sensitive and proactive in addressing such critical issues.
