Cover up well to cut out sexual harassment is Motamma's motto

Sexual harassment, porn and sleaze are the buzzwords which hogged the limelight during the legislature session this week.
Be it the alleged rave party during a festival organized by the government at St Mary's Island to promote tourism, or the sexual harassment of students by teachers in different parts of the state, or porngate involving ministers in the assembly on Tuesday, opposition parties were fuming.
Opposition leader in the legislative council C Motamma (in pic) feels precautions, besides stringent laws and quick action, are the solution to check the increasing harassment of students and women. She advocates dress code and a ban on smoking and mobile phones at colleges, as some positive measures. Excerpts from an interview:
You say dress code will reduce harassment. Why?
Proper dressing is a precautionary measure to escape prying eyes. People can't dress like film heroines. If this is done, it would only be a feast for perverts. Whether it is the saree, salwar kameez or trousers, it should be proper and neat. Also, colleges should ban smoking and use of phones to discipline students. Some colleges in the city have already implemented this.
What do you suggest to curb harassment of women?
The education department should prepare guidelines and ensure that colleges conduct orientation programmes, which prepare the students to handle difficult situations. Amendments should be enacted to the existing laws with stringent penal provisions. There should be no immunity for politicians and they should be brought under the law. Besides criminal action, the culprit should be dismissed from service.
Women should be careful and complain about any misdemeanour by men. They shouldn't seek favours from their bosses or colleagues, but should come up on their own. In my party, I tell all the women members not to frequent the houses of male leaders or seek favours from them.
Why do you feel such crimes are increasing?
The government has failed to act and take measures. If the government acts quick and tough in a couple of cases, it will surely send a stern message to other potential perpetrators. The government says watching a porn video in the assembly isn't a big offence. It reflects their attitude towards women and issues related to women. There is neither a pro-active initiative nor are there stringent laws to act as a deterrent.
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Is harassment of women prevalent in the state?
Harassment of women exists in all spheres of life, including politics. Atrocities against women, especially sexual harassment, is increasing in the state. The tragedy is that the government is defending some incidents, like the sleaze party at St Mary's Island and porngate.