AHMEDABAD: ‘Attending late-night parties could invite rape or gang rape'. ‘Do not take your friend to dark, isolated areas. What if there is a rape or gang rape?' This is what posters on ‘women's safety' sponsored by the city traffic police say in big bold letters.
Their sexist, alarmist and fear-mongering nature has invited widespread anger and raised questions about city traffic police's judgment and accountability.
The posters in Gujarati were seen plastered on dividers in areas like Sola and Chandlodia, with several of them carrying the name of a group called ‘Satarkta', and mentioning Ahmedabad traffic police as a sponsor. Top police officers, including Neeta Desai, DCP (Traffic West) and Shailesh Modi, ACP (Traffic Admin) confirmed that permission was indeed granted to Satarkta to put up posters "for traffic awareness".
But when the contentious content of the posters went viral on social media and backlash erupted, police distanced themselves from the controversy. "The posters have now been removed," said Modi, admitting they appeared "indecent".
N N Chaudhary, additional commissioner of police (traffic), also clarified that Satarkta Group, reportedly run by a local scribe, was allowed to put up traffic awareness posters, not messages laced with threats of sexual violence. "We never approved such language. It is unacceptable," he said.
Meanwhile, citizens said the posters were clearly alarmist. "How could posters with such insensitive messaging that indirectly blame women for sexual violence be allowed to go up under official sanction? What kind of scrutiny was done before permission was given?" asked Ghatlodia resident Dr Bhumi Patel.
Gayatri Shah, a fitness trainer from Bodakdev, said the posters reduced women's safety to moral policing. "They undermine the very idea of public awareness by peddling fear and control instead of responsibility and protection," she said.
"These posters reflect a mindset that blames victims and absolves institutions of their failure to ensure safety without having to resort to fear-mongering," said Nehrunagar resident Minal Solanki.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Friendship Day wishes,
messages and
quotes !