A TV host who was slapped by an audience member during a taping of a reality show held a press conference on Tuesday, stating that "this loser does not represent my beautiful faith".
According to AFP, 24-year-old Akil Malik emerged from the audience on the set of singing competition "India's Raw Star", and assaulted its host, Bollywood actress and model, Gauhar Khan.
Police quoted him as saying that "being a Muslim woman, she should not have worn such a short dress".
"Actresses are the face of society and they should not wear skirts and short clothes as they make youngsters get attracted to them sexually," Indian publication Mid-day quoted the police as recording from Malik.
"These days, boys who are minors are also committing crimes such as rape and molestation and many of them keep obscene photographs of actresses in their pockets.
"If actresses stop wearing short clothes, crime will decrease and lead to a better society."
His alleged comments prompted angry responses from online commentators, who also criticised India's sexist cultural mindset that victimises women.
Video footage which captured the aftermath of the attack showed Khan reeling back from the shock of being slapped, while clutching the side of her face.