Karnataka house panel blames mobiles for rise in rape and molestation cases
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BANGALORE: After blaming rape on women's style of dressing, the crime is now being linked to mobile phones. A House committee of the Karnataka legislative assembly has recommended that the state government ban mobile phones in schools and colleges, blaming the devices for an unprecedented rise in the number of rape and molestation cases.
"There were several instances where mobile phones were used to lure girls to remote places and rape them. Mobile phones are debasing the educational atmosphere in schools and colleges,'' said a report tabled by the women and child welfare committee in the legislative assembly here on Friday. The report went on to recommend a ban on mobiles.
Committee chairperson and Puttur MLA Shakuntala Shetty said girls who return "missed calls" are getting into trouble. "We suggest that youth shouldn't be allowed to use mobile phones till they become majors, and attain maturity. Once they realize what is right or wrong, they'll be safe," she said, in defence of the controversial recommendation.
Shetty cited an incident where a gang of three youths called a college girl and lured her to a building under construction, from where she later jumped to death to escape a rape bid.
TIMES VIEW
The House committee which seeks to blame a gadget for rape, should look at the issue in its entirety. By recommending that mobiles be taken away from students, especially girls, it has failed to realize that this regressive step could put them in more danger. Instead, the mobile should be looked upon as a device which can connect girls to safety. Our young people need awareness, not a clampdown on their freedom, and mobiles certainly don't need an adult tag.
"There were several instances where mobile phones were used to lure girls to remote places and rape them. Mobile phones are debasing the educational atmosphere in schools and colleges,'' said a report tabled by the women and child welfare committee in the legislative assembly here on Friday. The report went on to recommend a ban on mobiles.
Committee chairperson and Puttur MLA Shakuntala Shetty said girls who return "missed calls" are getting into trouble. "We suggest that youth shouldn't be allowed to use mobile phones till they become majors, and attain maturity. Once they realize what is right or wrong, they'll be safe," she said, in defence of the controversial recommendation.
Shetty cited an incident where a gang of three youths called a college girl and lured her to a building under construction, from where she later jumped to death to escape a rape bid.
TIMES VIEW
The House committee which seeks to blame a gadget for rape, should look at the issue in its entirety. By recommending that mobiles be taken away from students, especially girls, it has failed to realize that this regressive step could put them in more danger. Instead, the mobile should be looked upon as a device which can connect girls to safety. Our young people need awareness, not a clampdown on their freedom, and mobiles certainly don't need an adult tag.
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