From the seemingly inexhaustible world of double standards and moral policing comes a report from the set of the Indian talent show “Raw Star”.

The host, actress and model Gauhar Khan, was introducing the singing finale when an audience member, 24 year old Akil Malik, leaped upon the stage and began throwing wild and violent punches at Khan. Her assailant succeeded in connecting with the left side of her face before Guahar wrestled herself free and security then subdued the man.

When questioned by police, Malik justified his assault by explaining that the actress “should not have been wearing such a short dress” which was offensive to him based upon his Muslim beliefs.

A very concerning question remains. How did an obviously irate man get onstage past 250 security personal and reach the celebrity without intervention? Indian magazine First Post India suggests that “it evidently stems from the idea that women are the second class occupants of the public space in India and can be easily shoved around as and when fancied” by men.

The article continues that just two days ago two young girls were caught on video having to fight off the advances of three men on a public bus as many young men sat without raising a hand to help the girls.

According to the report, “The only time any of men in the bus moves a muscle is when the girls, struggling against the harassers, lose their balance and look like they would fall on the men seated in the bus. The other men only raise their hands to shield themselves against the girls falling on them. Finally, a burly man intervenes and instead of reprimanding the molester, tries to pull him away from the girls. We are told by reports that the girls were later thrown out of the bus.”

Luckily one of the young girls removes her belt and provides a nice beating for the men who are clearly twice her size.

Gauher Khan was brave and physically able enough to return to the stage and finish the show’s production. The two young girls referred to as the Rohtak sisters also escaped serious harm. But what if they had been alone? What if there was no one to capture the attacks on camera to hold those responsible accountable? In India and around the world, too many times people in a public space have no sense of responsibility. They have a sense of entitlement. We saw it here in Ferguson, Missouri where a group of people decided to burn down their own community and harm their fellow residents to satisfy their own sense of what is right. We see it on the news everyday.

Indian author Piyasree Dasgupta ended her article very eloquently on the subject relative to her home India and here in The United States:

“Maybe it is time to drill some accountability into the public. Perhaps identify the people, who were enjoying the show on that Rohtak bus, and at least get them to make one trip to the police station, even if to give their statements. Get the CCTVs in public spaces fixed so that assailants and onlookers don’t escape with ease. It is perhaps time to tell people that staying silent isn’t going to keep them out of trouble. Because honestly, I see little difference between a molester and ten others who facilitate his exploits by turning a blind eye.”