India, Aug. 2 -- A series of controversial posters urging women to "stay home to avoid rape" have triggered widespread outrage in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with opposition parties slamming the state's approach to women's safety. The posters, allegedly part of a safety awareness campaign, were spotted on road dividers in the city's Sola and Chandlodia areas before being hastily removed.

The messages, which included statements like "do not attend late night parties, you could be raped or gangraped," and "do not go with your friend to dark, isolated areas, what if she is raped or gangraped?" were criticized as promoting victim-blaming and spreading regressive ideas.

While the posters bore the name of the Ahmedabad traffic police, Deputy Commissi...