While a few MPs, notably the women MPs, underscored the seriousness of the issue at hand, the debate mostly swung between men who apparently found the very idea of trying to keep our women safe an amusing joke.

However diluted the law may have become, with comments like these coming from our leaders, perhaps it is amazing such a bill was passed at all.

Sharad Yadav (Objecting to stalking being an offense)

"We have all stalked women. You have to take the first step when you want to speak to a woman. A woman will never approach you. Men have to try on our own and have to talk to her with love. This is the story of the entire country. We have experienced it ourselves. We all have gone through that age, don't forget. We must debate and keep our eyes set on long lasting changes."

"Romance will die out now. If a boy doesn't look at a girl or follow her, how can romance happen?"

Mulayam Singh Yadav (Objecting to making stalking and voyeurism an offense)

"This risk of misuse will reduce opportunities for women. Employers will worry about recruiting women. We cannot have separate markets, schools or offices for women, where men will not look at them or walk behind them. In a modern society, there is no scope for segregation, neither is it desirable.

"In such a case, are we not reducing opportunities for women? Similar excuses may be used in other social places that will restrict participation of women, be it schools or markets, for fear of misuse of these provisions. These provisions are, in fact, anti-women.

"It's too harsh a punishment for stalking or following people.

"When you watch Sheila ki jawaani or Munni with her Zandu Balm what goes on in your mind? So what, we are all men after all!"

Image: Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav arrives at parliament in New Delhi.

Images: AFP

Text: Sify News Desk