Vivek Oberoi on Delhi gang-rape case: Respect for women is not an option but a necessity

The Zilla Ghaziabad actor believes that crimes against women can only stop when women start to sensitise men in their family towards the opposite sex

Vivek Oberoi was speaking in connection with the brutal gang-rape of a girl on December 16 in Delhi. The victim is now fighting for her life in a Singapore hospital.“Every mother should teach her son to respect every girl. That is where it (the change) will start. If he says something (wrong) about a girl, then she should slap him. Then we will learn,” said the 36-year-old.

“I think women can protect women in the future, the greatest service by instilling in their children, brothers and husbands, the right values for women. Respect for women is not an option, it is a necessity,” he added.

The Delhi gang-rape case has led to a large number of protests countrywide demanding strict action. Vivek is worried that public rage and excitement fizzles out too soon. So, he says the need of the hour is a channelised way of agitation. “There is a larger issue at hand and, unfortunately, we Indians have a short-term memory problem. We get very excited, take out candlelight vigils and in the end we forget,” Vivek said. “Our steam blows off like those candles and we are not the same concerned, agitated citizen anymore. That is something which is sad. Everyone is angry, but we need to channelise it and give it a structure to make it last long and get a tangible impact,” he added.