Dawn Images

Dino Ali caused a stir on social media this week when his views on the #MeToo movement, shared during his appearance on Tonite with HSY, didn't sit well with all viewers of the chat show.

In a new statement, the RJ clarified, "What I really meant to say on the Tonight with HSY was that women need to raise their voices and that culprits should be called out right there and then - there shouldn't be any delay and hesitation before taking action against harassers so immediate punishment can be implemented on the culprits."

Also read: RJ Dino Ali thinks harassment victims are to blame more than offenders and it's not ok

Dino says his words have been "misconstrued and taken out of context."

"If you watch the full interview before assuming otherwise, you'll know I did NOT say that the blame lies upon the victim - I come from a family that has raised me to respect and fight for the rights of women and would never disrespect my upbringing in any way. My statement has been misconstrued and taken out of context completely."

In Sunday night's episode of Tonite with HSY, Dino had said, "One thing I absolutely love about the women in my family is that they are very outspoken. If anyone even dares speak or do anything as such, they will immediately call that person out. Yes, society makes comments, but please raise your voice, please do not wait for a certain time or a certain moment. If something bad happens to you or someone is doing something bad, punish that person and hold them accountable at that very moment. Don't think about what will or will not happen, show to the other person that this with me is unacceptable, this will not happen. More than the offender it is the oppressed who are gunnaygar [culpable]. Why are you letting yourself be oppressed? What is the problem? Don't stand for it."

Many called him out for victim-blaming:

While encouraging people to speak up about being sexually harassed is a positive step, it's important to recognise that there are various power differentials at play that may prevent confrontations from happening at the time of the incident.

For instance, when a person's harasser is their employer or colleague, a trusted relative or friend, the psychology of the harasser and harassed's interpersonal relationship also influences how a person processes and comes to terms with being harassed. This in turn may delay their decision to come forward or stop them from doing that at all.