New Delhi: The National Commission for Women Thursday issued a notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his “extremely misogynistic, offensive and unethical” remarks against Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a rally in Jaipur.
In the notice, the women’s panel said it has taken suo motu cognisance of news reports which appeared in various print and electronic media dated January 9, “wherein it is reported that you have allegedly made remarks insulting against a woman minister”.
“What is @rahulgandhi trying to imply with his misogynistic statement- “… ek mahila say kaha meri raksha kiijiye.”? Does he think women are weak? The irony- calling an accomplished defence minister of the largest democracy a weak person. @nsitharaman @narendramodi @ncwindia,” NCW chief Rekha Sharma tweeted.
Gandhi at the farmers’ rally on Wednesday had said, “The watchman with a 56-inch chest ran away and told a woman, Sitharaman ji, defend me. I won’t be able to defend myself, defend me.”
The NCW in the notice said, “It has been reported that you allegedly said “….. the PM ran away and asked a ‘mahila ‘- a veiled reference to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman – to defend him”. “The remarks are extremely misogynistic, offensive, unethical and shows an extreme disrespect towards the dignity and honour of women in general,” the commission said.
It also said the NCW “strongly condemns such irresponsible and disparaging views of persons holding responsible positions”.
Delhi Commission For Women chief Swati Maliwal also condemned Gandhi’s remarks. “Rafale scam should be thoroughly investigated but @rahulgandhi statement on it is really regressive and misogynistic. I fail to understand how men forget that women are far stronger than them! Can they even think of carrying a baby in their womb for 9 months & give birth to it?” she posted on the microblogging site.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tore into Gandhi for his remarks. Reacting to the Modi’s criticism, Gandhi, in a tweet, said, “With all due respect Modi Ji, in our culture respect for women begins at home.” (PTI)
