Kerala official says it`s harassment if you stare at a woman for 14 seconds; gets trolled on Twitter

Kerala Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh`s bizarre statement has created a buzz on social media.

Thiruvananthapuram: A Kerala bureaucrat created a hullabaloo when he said if a man is found staring at a woman for more than 14 seconds, a case can be filed against him.

"There are sections in law to jail a man for annoyingly staring at a woman for 14 seconds. Please use it (the provisions in the law), if it is the case," Kerala Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh said.

While Singh's bizarre statement has created a buzz on social media, Kerala Sports Minister EP Jayarajan termed the comments as "irritating".

"The remarks are irritating. If a bureaucrat makes remarks which are not in law, certainly the minister concerned will examine it and necessary steps will be taken," he told reporters.

Addressing an event in Kochi about women’s safety two days ago, Singh had underlined the significance of martial arts as a life skill.

"Are you carrying a knife in your bag? Are you carrying chilly spray? Time is over for taking such precautions" he had said.

Here's how social media reacted to the Excise Commissioner’s statement: