When protests mounted, she later apologised. Mirge's comment was widely seen as “insensitive” by many people. A torrent of Twitter remarks followed on the Net which blared out, "As a women's commission member, she should resign," "Shame on such a woman," "People like you don't deserve to be respected."

It may be recalled that spiritual guru Asaram Bapu had raised a similar controversy by remarking on the December 16 Delhi gang-rape that the girl victim should have called the culprits brothers and begged before them to stop. And, that this could have saved her dignity and life. He is currently in Jodhpur Central Jail, accused in a sexual assault case.

NCP leader and Union Minister Praful Patel reacted, “The person concerned who has made such a statement is insensitive. I am hearing her name for the first time. If at all somebody has made such an insensitive statement, we will take action if the person belongs to our party.”

NCP women’s wing chief Supriya Sule was also present and listening to what Asha Mirge said: “Girls must realise that their body language and clothings must be appropriate. Was it necessary for Nirbhaya (Delhi rape victim) to go to cinema with a friend at 11 in the night? Was it necessary for the girl (woman journalist) to go to Shakti Mills in Mumbai at 6 pm? Four questions should be mulled before venturing out: where I am going, why, with whom and is it necessary for me to go there.”

Sule said the comments were the personal views of Mirge and not of the party and the latter apologised saying, “There were my personal views. These are not MCW’s views. I apologise if they have hurt anyone. All I feel is that the girls should remain safe.”

Asha Mirge is a gynaecologist. Although she has a conservative outlook, it was Mirge who fought the case of a 7-year old deaf and mute girl from Washim who was allegedly raped by three men on January 13.

- RM Nair with inputs from Mumbai