An Indian reality star was allegedly slapped by a 24-year-old man during the shooting of a show who claimed he had done so to protect India’s youth from women who wear short dresses.

Gauahar Khan, a model and actress in India, was on the stage shooting India’s Raw Star when Akil Malik, a junior artist who had been attending the shootings for several days, walked up to her on stage and slapped her, according to the Hindustan Times.

Security pounced on the man and dragged him away, leaving Gauahar crying and stunned. She took a break for an hour and then came back to finish what was left of the shoot.

Malik showed no remorse for the incident, saying that he disapproved of Gauahar’s skimpy clothes and the slap was meant to help her “understand,” prompting him to slap her in front of 250 people, according to the report.

Bollywood celebrities and social media slammed Malik for his alleged actions, but he was undeterred, declaring himself a moral policeman who believes it necessary to teach Gauahar a lesson to not wear a short dress again. He said he had been sexually attracted to girls in short skirts, and therefore young boys could be too, which would “damage their brains” and provoke them into committing crimes.

Malik is in police custody and will face a court to answer for his alleged actions.

Malik was charged with voluntarily causing hurt, assault or criminal force to a woman with an intent to harm her modesty, and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code.