Parents, not government, have to protect girls: MP minister

In a controversial statement that is likely to raise the hackles of women's groups, a minister in Madhya Pradesh has said girls seeking hostel facility should get a written undertaking from their parents that they will take care of their security.

"Girls might face problems if they stay alone. In view of this, girl students and their parents have to give in writing that they will take care of their security. Then only will the government take a decision about building hostels for them," said Madhya Pradesh Tribal and Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah.

"The government can give them hostels, but the girls and their parents have to arrange for their own security," Shah said.

The government will bear hostel expenses, but protecting the girls will be the responsibility of the girls themselves and their parents, he said, adding that the girls should return to their hostels by 8 pm.