Union minister Farooq Abdullah's "sexist" comment on Friday followed by a half-hearted apology sparked widespread outrage with some women activists asking for his resignation. However, National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Mamta Sharma first said she did not find Abdullah's comment "so insulting" but later changed her stance to say that the remark was "disgusting".
In the morning, Sharma told television channels, "I don't really have a comment to make on what he said. He doesn't need to retract his statement as he hasn't really said anything so insulting. Women are so aware now that they know how to take care of themselves."
Later in the evening, Sharma told TOI, "It's a wrong thing to say. It's disgusting the way politicians talk about women's issues. Everyone should know there is a stringent law to protect women."
While commenting on sexual harassment allegations against former Supreme Court judge Justice A K Ganguly, Abdullah said men were now scared to talk to women as they feared they could land up in jail.
"I am scared to talk to a woman these days. I don't even want to keep a woman secretary. Who knows, I might end up in jail because of a complaint. No, I am not blaming the girls, I am blaming society," said Abdullah, a National Conference MP.
Ambika Soni of Congress, NC's alliance partner, said, "I don't expect such comments from him."
As criticism poured in — his son and J&K CM Omar Abdullah tweeted hoping his father apologized for the "misplaced attempt at humour" — Abdullah offered a "half-hearted" apology.
"Things have gone haywire, people are scared now. No doubt we are all against rape and anything which undermines the prestige of a woman, they should get their respect... If there is something I have said that has gone wrong, I'm sorry, I never meant it that way," said Abdullah.
Rubbishing Abdullah's apology as mere lip service that did not come from his heart, Ranjana Kumari of Centre for Social Research said, "What's his fear in hiring women secretaries? Such power statements convey that either women buckle in to sexual exploitation or lose their job."
Earlier, following sexual assault allegations against Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, Samajwadi PartyMP Naresh Agarwal said companies were now scared of hiring women.
The AIDWA has filed a petition in Delhi High Court seeking guidelines to the home ministry for strict action against "public officials who denigrate women and make derogatory remarks against them". The plea also seeks action against CBI director Ranjit Sinha for his rape analogy while commenting on legalizing betting in sports.
Demanding Abdullah's resignation, Kavita Krishnan of the All India Progressive Women's Association said these were deliberate attempts to organize a patriarchal backlash at a time when women, backed by law, were registering their protest against sexual harassment.
"Such comments are aimed at warning women that if you speak out against sexual harassment, you will lose your job," said Krishnan.
People's representatives like Abdullah had taken oath to protect, among others, the dignity of women, Ranjana Kumari said. "Haven't women also voted him to power? His comment is unacceptable and he must resign," she added.
Such comments reflected a deep-seated mindset problem, said lawyer-activist Flavia Agnes. "The men have to learn how to deal with women, respect them. You can't run this world without women," she said.
She said earlier, wife beating by a man was taken for granted. Now, laws have made these men wary. "Similarly, as more women, backed by laws, voice their protest against sexual harassment, men will be forced to change their behaviour," Agnes added.
In the morning, Sharma told television channels, "I don't really have a comment to make on what he said. He doesn't need to retract his statement as he hasn't really said anything so insulting. Women are so aware now that they know how to take care of themselves."
Later in the evening, Sharma told TOI, "It's a wrong thing to say. It's disgusting the way politicians talk about women's issues. Everyone should know there is a stringent law to protect women."
While commenting on sexual harassment allegations against former Supreme Court judge Justice A K Ganguly, Abdullah said men were now scared to talk to women as they feared they could land up in jail.
"I am scared to talk to a woman these days. I don't even want to keep a woman secretary. Who knows, I might end up in jail because of a complaint. No, I am not blaming the girls, I am blaming society," said Abdullah, a National Conference MP.
Ambika Soni of Congress, NC's alliance partner, said, "I don't expect such comments from him."
As criticism poured in — his son and J&K CM Omar Abdullah tweeted hoping his father apologized for the "misplaced attempt at humour" — Abdullah offered a "half-hearted" apology.
"Things have gone haywire, people are scared now. No doubt we are all against rape and anything which undermines the prestige of a woman, they should get their respect... If there is something I have said that has gone wrong, I'm sorry, I never meant it that way," said Abdullah.
Rubbishing Abdullah's apology as mere lip service that did not come from his heart, Ranjana Kumari of Centre for Social Research said, "What's his fear in hiring women secretaries? Such power statements convey that either women buckle in to sexual exploitation or lose their job."
Earlier, following sexual assault allegations against Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, Samajwadi PartyMP Naresh Agarwal said companies were now scared of hiring women.
The AIDWA has filed a petition in Delhi High Court seeking guidelines to the home ministry for strict action against "public officials who denigrate women and make derogatory remarks against them". The plea also seeks action against CBI director Ranjit Sinha for his rape analogy while commenting on legalizing betting in sports.
Demanding Abdullah's resignation, Kavita Krishnan of the All India Progressive Women's Association said these were deliberate attempts to organize a patriarchal backlash at a time when women, backed by law, were registering their protest against sexual harassment.
"Such comments are aimed at warning women that if you speak out against sexual harassment, you will lose your job," said Krishnan.
People's representatives like Abdullah had taken oath to protect, among others, the dignity of women, Ranjana Kumari said. "Haven't women also voted him to power? His comment is unacceptable and he must resign," she added.
Such comments reflected a deep-seated mindset problem, said lawyer-activist Flavia Agnes. "The men have to learn how to deal with women, respect them. You can't run this world without women," she said.
She said earlier, wife beating by a man was taken for granted. Now, laws have made these men wary. "Similarly, as more women, backed by laws, voice their protest against sexual harassment, men will be forced to change their behaviour," Agnes added.
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