Andhra Pradesh government seems to be pushed to defensive with the reported comments of Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Dr Kodela Siva Prasada Rao at the National Women’s Parliament (NWP), now in session in Amaravati.

Out of over enthusiasm, in an effort to stress upon women’s security, he linked women and sexual assaults to cars and accidents. Speaker in a way indicating the dangerous consequences of women taking active part in social life, said that a car is vulnerable to accidents only if it is out on the roads, even more so if it is speeding.

Similarly, he further said that women were safer in the older days where they were housewives and faced ‘just’ discrimination. Ironically, he mentioned this one at a conclave that was intended to stress upon `women empowerment’ and crimes against them.

“Let’s say you buy a vehicle. When it is parked in the garage at home, accidents can be avoided, right? When it is taken to a bazaar or to the road, accidents are likely to happen. When the car is speeding, it is more likely for accidents to take place. At a speed of 50 km/hr accidents are less likely, at a speed of 100 km/hr accidents are more likely,” Dr Kodela has reportedly added.

He also referred to older times, when women were housewives, they were safe from all kind of atrocities, except discrimination. Today, they are studying, working, and also are doing business. They are exposed to the society.” When they are exposed to the society they are more prone to eve-teasing, harassment, atrocities, rape and kidnap. Is it not? If they do not leave home, it doesn’t happen,” he added.

However, later seems to be realising his mistake tried to correct himself by stating “I do not mean that they need to be kept at home so that they are safe. They should be educated, should be made to work and they should be given the freedom to earn, but their protection should also be taken care of.”