PATNA: Independent MP from Bihar’s Purnea Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, courted a fresh controversy on Tuesday after his remarks on women politicians went viral on social media.
Speaking on the now-rejected Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill linked to delimitation and implementation of women's reservation, Yadav described most male politicians as “vultures.”
He said that a culture of exploiting women has become ingrained in politics, adding that women from the downtrodden castes didn’t have enough representation.
“Go to schools, and your daughter faces exploitation; go to college, and exploitation in the name of ragging; go to the office, exploitation is there as well,” the MP said while referring to women being exploited at various levels and different stages.
“Leaders behave like vultures towards women. Women are looked at with predatory intent in both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Nearly 70 per cent of leaders watch pornography, check their mobile phones,” he claimed.
He also said "90 per cent of women cannot do politics without going into a leader's room," sparking widespread criticism.
Taking a serious note of the MP’s remarks, the Bihar women commission called it a ‘violation of women’s dignity’ and issued a notice to him over his remarks.
“Taking suo motu cognisance of this matter, the Bihar State Women Commission seeks an explanation from you (Yadav) as to why you made such an offensive statement. It also asks why a recommendation should not be made to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for cancellation of your membership,” a statement issued by the commission said.
On being contacted, Yadav said that he has not received any notice so far. “I will submit my reply if I get any such notice. I have described what is happening in society. One can’t ignore the truth,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BJP has sought an apology from Yadav, calling the statement ‘shocking’.