New Delhi:
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has condemned comments made by political leaders against women and directed officials to deal sternly with violators, news agency ANI said on Friday.
Sources told ANI that Mr Kumar's response came during a review meeting with district poll officials, municipal commissioners and police chiefs before the November 20 Maharashtra elections.
The Election Commission had earlier directed political parties and candidates to refrain from acts, actions or expressions contrary to the honor and dignity of women.
Mr Kumar was responding to the controversy over comments made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant on Shaina NC, a BJP leader who joined the Shinde Sena faction to contest the elections.
Mr. Sawant's comment was in response to a reporter's question about Ms. Shaina's chances; she will contest the Mumbadevi seat held by Congressman Amin Patel since 2009.
READ | Three-time winner Amin Patel and Shaina NC will fight for Mumbadevi
In response to his comment, she said: 'I'm not someone'times'(goods). I am a daughter of Mumbai… this is a rude comment from Sawant. I am a 'mahila'(woman) (and) everyone knows that the Maha Vinash Aghadi (a play about the opposition party Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition) has no respect for women.'
She also criticized her rival, Amin Patel, for smiling at the comment. 'Arvind Sawant called me 'imported' times (goods)' and Amin Patel smiled. Would he have made this comment to his sister or wife?”
“I want to ask Uddhav Sena about Sanjay Raut's statement… that there is no need to apologize for being 'imported'. Mr. Raut, if you have no objection… it shows your mentality!”
READ | “Show mentality”: Shaina NC on Sanjay Raut defending derogatory comment
Mr Raut had said: “There was no insult. Arvind Sawant only said that Ms Shaina had come from outside (and) or she 'imported times', how is this an insult to women?', and pointed out that similar comments have always been leveled against Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi.
Mr Sawant later claimed that he had a fair comparison with Shaina NC and that she may have misunderstood his comment. “It refers to 'goods' but she could have misinterpreted it. I had no such intentions,” he said. A police case has been registered against Mr Sawant.
The row was also picked up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who this week attacked the Congress-led INDIA bloc, of which the Sena (UBT) is a member, for its silence.
READ | “Mothers, daughters in shock”: PM Modi on Shaina NC comment
The opposition has used “foul language” against a woman leader,” Modi said in a speech in Jharkhand, where elections are also due to take place this month.
“Mothers and daughters are in shock (and the) people will teach them a lesson,” he stated, while also attacking the Congress for “humiliating” Sita Soren, sister-in-law of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and a BJP candidate .
With input from agencies
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