Controversial Posters Linked To Women's Safety Campaign Spark Debate In Gujarat

In Ahmedabad, posters allegedly linked to a traffic safety campaign have sparked controversy. These posters, found in certain city areas, advised women to stay home to avoid rape. The opposition criticised these messages, questioning women's safety in Gujarat. Statements like "do not attend late night parties, you could be raped or gangraped" were displayed on road dividers in Sola and Chandlodia but have since been removed.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic West), Neeta Desai, clarified that the traffic police sponsored only road safety posters. She stated that the controversial ones were created by Satarkta Group, an NGO, without their approval. Desai explained that the NGO had approached them for traffic awareness programmes in schools and colleges but did not show these specific posters.

Controversial Posters Removed

Once the issue was highlighted, the posters were promptly taken down. The Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticised the BJP-led government, claiming these posters revealed the true state of women's safety in Gujarat. They pointed out that despite talks of empowerment, over 6,500 rapes and more than 36 gang rapes occurred in the state over three years.

The AAP questioned whether women should feel safe going out at night in Ahmedabad. They argued that while BJP leaders discuss women's safety, these posters reflect a different reality. The party's statement highlighted concerns about the actual conditions faced by women in Gujarat.

Neeta Desai further mentioned that Satarkta Group had initially shown them only traffic-related materials. The controversial content was not part of what was presented to them initially. This incident has raised significant questions about accountability and communication between organisations involved in public campaigns.

Amidst this controversy, there is a growing demand for clarity on how such messages were allowed to be displayed publicly without proper oversight. The incident underscores the need for careful consideration and approval processes when addressing sensitive topics like women's safety.

The situation has prompted discussions on ensuring better coordination between NGOs and government bodies to prevent similar occurrences in future campaigns. It also highlights the importance of maintaining focus on genuine issues affecting women's safety rather than resorting to fear-based messaging.