New Delhi:
Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has condemned comments made by political leaders against women and directed officials to take strict action against violators, news agency ANI said on Friday.
Sources told ANI that Mr. Kumar’s response came during a review meeting with district election officers, municipal commissioners and police chiefs ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra elections.
Earlier, the Election Commission had instructed political parties and candidates to refrain from work, actions or speech that adversely affect the dignity and reputation of women.
Mr. Kumar was reacting to the controversy over the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader’s comments Arvind Sawant about Shaina NCA BJP leader who joined the Shinde Sena faction to contest the elections.
Mr. Sawant’s comments were in response to a reporter’s question about Ms. Shaina’s prospects; She will contest from Mumbadevi seat which has been held by Amin Patel of Congress since 2009.
Read on Three-time winner Amin Patel and Shaina NC compete for Mumbadevi
Responding to his statement, she said, ‘I am nothing.food‘ (stuff). I am a daughter of Mumbai… This is a useless comment by Sawant. i’m the onewoman‘ (Women) (and) everyone knows that Mahavinash Aghadi (a play by the opposition Mahavikas Aghadi alliance) does not respect women.
He criticized his opponent – Amin Patel – for smiling at the comments. “Arvind Sawant called me ‘imported’ food (Mal)’ and Amin Patel was smiling. Would he have made such a comment to his sister or his wife?”
“I want to ask Uddhav Sena about Sanjay Raut’s statement…that I am ‘imported’ so there is no need to apologize. Raut ji, if you don’t mind…it shows your mentality!”
Read it “Shows mentality”: Shaina NC defends Sanjay Raut’s insulting comments
Mr. Raut had said, “There was no insult. Arvind Sawant said Ms. Shaina came from outside (and) if she is ‘imported.’ food‘, how is this an insult to women?”, and pointed out that similar allegations have always been leveled against Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi.
Mr. Sawant later claimed that he had a good equation with Shaina NC and that he might have misunderstood her comments. “It refers to ‘stuff’, but he could have misinterpreted it. I had no such intention,” he said. A A police case has been registered Sawant vs.
The row was also taken up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who this week attacked the Congress-led Bharat Bloc, of which the Army (UBT) is a member, for its silence on the issue.
Read on “Mothers, daughters in shock”: PM Modi on Shaina NC remarks
The opposition used “wrong language” against a woman leader,” Mr Modi said in a speech in Jharkhand, where elections will also be held this month.
“Mothers and daughters are shocked (and) people will teach them a lesson,” he declared, also attacking the Congress for “insulting” Sita Soren, the sister-in-law of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and BJP candidate.
with input from agencies
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