Ayali issues advisory to women, kicks up a storm

LUDHIANA: SAD-BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali courted a controversy when while talking about the safety of the women when he advised that women should take certain precautions and should avoid going to insecure places at night.
Ayali made these comments during a function organized by the Ludhiana Management Association late on Saturday evening. The remarks evoked sharp criticism from women sitting in the audience as well as Congress candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominee HS Phoolka, who were also invited to the function.
"Women should avoid visiting dark and insecure places in the city. They should be careful while visiting these areas. Although the government deploys PCR vans and motorbikes to deal with emergency situations, women should avoid visiting such places," Ayali said.
AAP candidate HS Phoolka said that instead of suggesting what areas the women should visit and what areas they should avoid, there was a need to free the cops deployed in the security of the petty politicians and using this force for improving the law and order situation. Ravneet Bittu also said that women should not be restricted to move but steps should be taken to ensure their safety giving them freedom to move where ever they want in the country.
Women in the audience too reacted sharply to Ayali's remarks and were seen joining the issue with Ayali. He however was able to douse the fire by arguing that that though the security of women was the first and the foremost duty of the government yet some precautions had to be taken.
The discussion however was on the issue of development and improvement in the area. During the function the candidates talked at length over their plans and promises.
Independent candidate Simarjeet Bains remained absent from the event, which besides other key candidates was attended by prominent people.