Mumbai: Man gropes model, blames her skimpy clothes

In a shocking incident, a 26-year-old model was groped by one her neighbours outside her building in Gorgegaon West in Mumbai, reports Times of India. When confronted by the woman, the man apparently told her that since she was wearing a skimpy outfit, she should not make a fuss when groped.

The model told TOI, "I was wearing a short dress. As my sister and I crossed the society's main gate, a man came and touched me inappropriately. When I confronted him, he passed a lewd comment about my outfit and groped me." 

Kafil Jaffri, the accused, lives in the same building as the model. He has been remanded in police custody for one day, says the report. The accused however denies groping the model and says he only touched her by accident.

Image used only for representational purposes. Reuters

The incident once again highlights prevailing mindsets that use a woman's clothing to justify groping, molestation, rape and other violence against women. The idea that a scantily-dressed woman is fair game and must be 'wanting it' is firmly entrenched in the male psyche, not something  restricted to India.

As women's rights groups have long demanded, safe cities are those where women, irrespective of whether they wear a burqa or a mini-skirt, don't face harassment.

Read full report on TOI.