India’s sordid history of crime against women is littered with the thoughtless remarks of men in positions of authority, sometimes women, even. Couched as counsel, victim-blaming is always the first diagnosis offered when an incident of rape or molestation occurs. Not long after such a crime is reported, a minister or police officer or uncle comes along to donate his view, whether or not it is his official remit. Sensitising these factotums of patriarchy, or mandating them to shut up, may be the first battle that needs to be won if we are seriously to deal with this disgrace.

Take the case of the two Australian cricketers who were groped by an assailant in Indore last Sunday (Oct. 23) while walking to a café in broad daylight. Proffering his take on a matter that’s not his mandate, Madhya

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