MUMBAI: Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday suspended Independent MLC Prashant Paricharak for one and a half years for making derogatory remarks against the wives of soldiers.
During an election rally in Maharashtra's Pandharpur, Paricharak had said. "Wives of soldiers deliver babies despite their husbands being posted at remote borders for years".
The Opposition had stalled the proceedings of the Upper House for three consecutive days demanding action against the BJP-supported legislator.
Making a statement in the Council, leader of the House and revenue minister Chandrakant Patil said that Paricharak's remarks against the families of soldiers were "extremely derogatory and condemnable" and an apology was not enough.
He also announced formation of a committee which would decide whether to expel Paricharak from the House or sentence him to imprisonment.
"The committee will be headed by council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar and will include leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde, Narayan Rane, Sunil Tatkare, Sharad Ranpise, Neelam Gorhe, Bhai Girkar, Kapil Patil and Jayant Patil," he said. "Once the report is submitted, action will be taken as per its recommendations. Till then, he will remain suspended for one and a half years," Patil said.
Munde said that it should be ensured that the committee submits its report by the Monsoon session of the Assembly."A message should be sent that a member, irrespective of his political affiliation, should be treated harshly if he makes such comments," Munde said. Nimbalkar then called for a voice to adopt the resolution, which was accepted unanimously by all members.