Bangalore : Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Umashree, on Sunday said that a committee would be set up to look into the possibility of legalising prostitution.

She was speaking in the City after releasing the book ‘Buddhanillada Amrapaali,’ authored by Dr Leela Sampige. “The committee will comprise of experts. They will give a detailed report on the pros and cons of treating prostitution as a profession like any other,” Umashree said. The committee would look into the challenges and sufferings of the sex workers and submit a report to the government, based on which decisions would be taken.

“Since the issue is a sensitiv­e one, we will not be able to dismiss it in a hurry. We will also look into whether rehabilitation is a better option than legalising the profession,” she said. The minister said that there were various external factors in the society that forc­ed helpless and depressed girls into the profession. She said that it is important that such women are assured of rehabilitation and convinced that they can lead a normal life.

Shantamma, secretary of Sahabhagini, said that prostitution must be legalised. Voicing her opinion strongly, she said, “Sex workers are essential to have an equilibrium in the society. In their absence, even newborns would become victims of harassment.”