The Nation Awakens | देश जाग उठा
Controversial Statements by Well-Known People After the Incident
This special Crime Patrol episode highlights the nationwide outrage and public discourse that followed the 2012 Delhi gang rape case. It also documents several controversial statements made by politicians, religious leaders, public figures, and social organizations in the aftermath of the incident. The episode examines how these remarks sparked debates about victim-blaming, gender equality, social attitudes, and women’s safety in India.

One statement suggested that the victim could have avoided the assault by treating the attackers as brothers and seeking divine intervention.
Asaram
(Hindustan Times)
Another proposal called for introducing overcoats for female students, separate buses, and restrictions on mobile phones in schools in the name of women’s safety.
Puducherry Education Minister T. Thiagarajan
(Hindustan Times)
A Rajasthan legislator advocated replacing skirts with trousers or salwar-kameez in schools to shield girls from what he described as “lustful gazes.”
Rajasthan BJP MLA Banwari Lal Singhal
(Outlook)
Another political leader argued that women’s clothing choices, late-night outings, and social interactions with non-relatives contributed to crimes against women.
Abu Asim Azmi
(India Today)
Comments were also made questioning the authenticity and motivations of women participating in public protests demanding justice.
Congress MP Abhijit Mukherjee
(Financial Express)

Nirbhaya portrayed by Heena Parmar
Some public figures drew parallels with mythological stories, arguing that women should remain within certain social boundaries to ensure their safety.
Madhya Pradesh BJP Leader Kailash Vijayvargiya
(Deccan Chronicle)
Others attributed such crimes to astrology, western culture, fast food consumption, changing social norms, co-education, or women’s access to mobile phones.
Nanki Ram Kanwar (Chhattisgarh Home Minister)
Mohan Bhagwat (RSS Chief)
Jitendar Chattar (Khap Panchayat Leader)
Jamaat-E-Islami Hind
Rajpal Saini
One academic figure controversially suggested that victims should focus on surviving and later reporting offenders rather than resisting violent attacks.
Dr. Anita Shukla
(Indian Express)
Following a similar incident in Mumbai, remarks were also made suggesting that women’s clothing and media influence contributed to such crimes.
Naresh Agarwal
Samajwadi Party Leader and Rajya Sabha MP
SonyLiv:
Part 1:
07-Nov-2015 – Crime Patrol – A Nation Awakens (Part 1)
Part 2:
08-Nov-2015 – Crime Patrol – A Nation Awakens (Part 2)
Related Articles:
- Chronology of the 16 December Delhi Case
- Victim Dies After 13-Day Fight for Life
- Crime Patrol Dastak: Portrait of the 16 December 2012 Delhi Case (Hindi)








