An IPS officer thinks women need to “dress decently”, “behave properly” and “avoid late nights” to prevent crimes against them.

The Bidhannagar police commissionerate was so impressed by the suggestions deputy commissioner (detective department) Kankar Prasad Barui had posted on his Facebook page in the second week of August that it publicised them on its official website.

The post was removed on Tuesday morning following public outrage and replaced with another that had only seven suggestions instead of 12 in the original.

“Tips on how to prevent eve-teasing”, which had 12 points, has been replaced with “Tips on How to Remain Safe”.

Sociologist Prasanta Roy says Barui’s advice “is an admission that the kind of protection that should be given to a woman by the administration is not being provided.... Since protection is not being ensured, girls are being asked to be careful about what they wear or how late they travel.”

Roy also wondered why Barui did not issue guidelines for men as well.

Barui, who was promoted to the IPS rank in 2014 after eight years of service in rural areas, defended his post to Metro several hours after the controversy broke.

Here’s some of Barui’s advice, his defence and Calcuttans’ reactions:

● Advice: Dress decently

● Barui’s defence: I did not specify any dress code. I just suggested that women wear whatever they want to wear decently…. All clothes do not look good on everyone. For example, roaming around in hotpants may not be decent.

● Reaction: “What is the exact definition of being decent? Do you want women to wear burqa?” asked Tanima Roy Chowdhury, 31, on her Facebook profile.

“I wonder whether a policeman will first verify what I am wearing if I approach him with a complaint of molestation or teasing,” said Soumi Sengupta, a resident of Lake Gardens, who works with a BPO in Sector V.

● Advice: Avoid late nights

● Barui’s defence: I had not referred to women returning from office. I know there are thousands of women who work till late at night in Sector V and several other places in the city. All I wanted to say was that women should not indulge in unnecessary late night activities like partying, which can invite trouble. I give the same advice to my relatives.

● Reaction: “Well-lit and frequented areas are in any case safer options. It is the police’s duty to ensure that women are safe even on ill-lit and deserted stretches. Are the cops trying to shirk responsibility by preaching moral policing?” wondered Debarati Chatterjee, an engineering student and resident of AB Block in Salt Lake, who often returns home after 10.30pm from private tuition.

● Advice: Avoid travelling on a crowded bus or train

nBarui’s defence: Crowded public transport is never safe. People can fall off and injure themselves. Besides, on a crowded bus or train women are at risk of being groped.

● Reaction: The number of private buses has gone down by over 35 per cent in the past two years. So commuters have no option but to travel on crowded buses. Metro Railway, too, operates much beyond its capacity during rush hours. What option does a woman have other than travelling on crowded trains.

“The authorities should ensure more buses before preaching such silly ways to avoid sexual harassment,” said Jayita Majumder, who works in a private office in Sector V and often has to travel alone.

● Advice: Be street smart

● Barui’s defence: I meant all women should be smart enough to judge the kind of company and situation she is in. She should avoid talking to or getting into cars with strangers and be smart enough not to respond to lewd comments.

● Reaction: “I fail to understand these guidelines. Why are women always asked to dress correctly, to be well behaved and not to be late from work? What does the officer mean by being street smart?” Rita Ghosh asked in her Facebook post.

The suggestions of Barui that the Bidhannagar police have retained:

• Have emergency speed dial numbers on your phone
• Learn self-defence techniques
• Be aware of people around you
• Carry pepper spray
• Stay in groups
• Avoid going in isolated places
• Walk in well-lit and frequented areas