A senior law enforcement official in India sparked outrage Thursday after his comments on preventing rape amid widespread protests following the brutal gang rape of a student on a public bus.

Commissioner KP Raghuvanshi, head of police in Thane, suggested women can avoid rape by not traveling at night and by carrying chili powder to throw at potential attackers to defend themselves, according to The Guardian.

Activists condemned the commissioner's remarks as sexist and "idiotic."

"This is just a sexist sort of solution," said Ranjana Rumari, director of the Center for Social Research in Delhi. "They want women to stay home. And how is chili powder going to help against six or seven men?"

Rape has become the subject of national discussion in India since the violent gang rape of a 23-year-old student on a bus in New Delhi. The victim remains in critical condition at the hospital with severe internal injuries, doctors said