A police officer in Chennai has faced significant backlash for victim-blaming comments directed at a woman who was feeding stray dogs late at night in the Thiruvanmiyur area. This incident, which was recorded on video and subsequently went viral, has ignited discussions regarding police perspectives on women’s safety and their right to move freely. The woman, who has been caring for street dogs in her neighborhood for 20 years, was approached by two police officers during her nightly feeding routine. One of the officers, identified as Karthik, questioned her activities, expressing concern about her being on the streets after midnight.
He suggested that she refrain from feeding the dogs for four days, claiming this would result in the animals ceasing to come. The situation escalated when he made an inappropriate remark implying that harassment is a consequence of women moving around freely after midnight. The exchange was recorded by both parties, with the woman challenging the officer’s authority to limit her charitable actions. The video has since become a source of public outrage regarding victim-blaming within law enforcement. Following the video’s spread, public criticism against the officer’s remarks intensified. Many have condemned the notion that women are responsible for the harassment they face instead of focusing on preventing such crimes or upholding citizens’ rights to move freely in public areas.
Upon being contacted by the media, the Thiruvanmiyur police confirmed they were aware of the incident and were looking into it. However, the officer later attempted to justify his comments by claiming he used the term ‘arrest’ instead of ‘harassment’ when addressing the woman. Despite clear audio evidence refuting his claim, Karthik insisted to investigators that he simply advised the woman to stay indoors after midnight to avoid possible arrest. This justification has not appeased critics who point to the video as evidence of his actual words. The incident raises broader issues regarding police attitudes toward women’s rights and safety in public spaces.
The woman’s long-standing commitment to caring for stray animals further underscores the normalcy of her actions and raises questions about the discouragement of such charitable work by law enforcement. Despite the public uproar and the video’s viral nature, no disciplinary action has been taken against the officer. The police department has officially closed the case without consequences for his controversial remarks, which has intensified criticism about accountability in law enforcement. This situation highlights ongoing issues related to gender sensitivity training within police departments and emphasizes the necessity for officers to support rather than hinder legitimate activities of citizens. The lack of repercussions for the officer has led to concerns that such attitudes may endure without appropriate consequences or training measures.