‘Rashtrapatni’ Row: Women’s Panel Issues Notice To Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Rekha Sharma, the head of the National Commission for Women, labelled Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s “rashtrapatni” remark about President Droupadi Murmu as “sexist” and said it revealed his “mindset towards women.” Ms. Sharma urged Sonia Gandhi, the party’s acting president, to take action against the Congress leader, saying that he “must apologise in writing.”
President Murmu was referred to as “rashtrapatni” by Mr. Chowdhury on Thursday. He promised to personally apologise to the President for the statement. The remark sparked a row as the BJP demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.
The NCW leader stated to ANI, “Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a member of parliament, made a highly offensive comment about the president of India. This sexist comment demonstrates his attitude toward women. How should he act toward others if he can speak this way to India’s highest authority?”
She added that Sonia Gandhi has received a letter about the matter from the Commission.”He must apologize, in writing. His party president should take action against him. We have also written to Sonia Gandhi Ji regarding the same. NCW has summoned AR Chowdhury; he must come and apologize,” Ms Sharma added.
The objectionable remarks made by MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury against Indian President Droupadi Murmu were denounced earlier on Thursday by the National Commission for Women (NCW), as well as the Chairpersons and other senior officials of various State Commissions for Women, according to an official statement.
At the quarterly meeting in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Chairperson Rekha Sharma and the Chairpersons and representatives of the State Commissions of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Telangana, Tripura, Odisha, Maharashtra, Manipur, and Rajasthan denounced Mr. Chowdhury’s words as an attempt to demean the President in a joint statement.
In response to criticism of his “rashtrapatni” statement earlier in the day, Mr. Chowdhury stated that he could not even consider offending President Droupadi Murmu and that he would personally visit with her and apologise.
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