Commenting about the incident, Shabnam Hashmi, a women’s rights activist, said, “Patriarchy, communalism and casteism are ingrained in the mind of the majority of the police force. The first contact with the police most often ends in total apathy or even hostility. An ordinary citizen, and more so women, do not have the confidence that they will be treated with respect. In some cases, the officers are good but going to the police or courts is a taboo in our society, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.”