Asked about rapes, UP women’s panel member says women shouldn’t be given mobile phones

A member of the Uttar Pradesh Women’s Commission has stoked a controversy after she said that cell phones are the reason why women are raped. She also says that young women should not be given mobiles at all, and should at all times be taken care of by their parents. A purported video clip of the remarks was widely circulated on social media.

In the video, Meena Kumari can be seen saying that the society and parents have to keep a regular watch on their daughters, see where they were going and which boys they were mingling with.

She also controversially remarked that girls use mobile phones to talk [to boys] and the matter reaches a point “where they elope for marriage”.

Delhi Commission of Women chairperson Swati Maliwal also retweeted a video where Meena Kumari was seen making the remarks.

Countering her, Maliwal said, “No ma'am, phone in girl's hand is not a reason for rape. The reason for rape is such mentality, which increases the morale of the criminals. The Prime Minister is requested to sensitise all the women's commissions, one day send them to see the working style of the Delhi Women's Commission, we teach them!”

Meanwhile, after her comments were widely criticised on social media, Kumari said her words had been misconstrued. She said she meant that parents should check the phones given to minor boys and girls used by them for study and other purposes.