Will ask our boys to rape CPM leaders’ wives, sisters: TMC leader Tapas Pal
Kolkata: In an insensitive comment, Trinamul MP Tapas Pal has threatened to kill opposition CPM workers and have their women raped if a single ruling party worker was attacked.
The controversial comment triggered an uproar and sparked condemnation by opposition parties with CPM demanding that the Lok Sabha Speaker take suo motu cognisance of Mr Pal’s outburst and disqualify him.
“If any CPI-M man is present here. Listen to me. If you ever touch any Trinamool Congress worker or their families at Choumaha, you have to pay for this. Don't try to act smart with me. I am smarter than you. I am not from Kolkata,” Pal said in a video of his speech at Choumaha village in Nadia district which surfaced on a vernacular TV news channel and went viral.
“I am from Chandannagar. Leaders are created by workers. I am also a goonda. I will shoot you guys if a Trinamool Congress worker is ever attacked. If you have the guts, then stop me. Keep this is in mind,” the actor-politician warned.
“Earlier, you guys have bullied me on various occasions. If you insult the mothers and daughters of Trinamul workers. Then I won’t spare you. I will let loose my boys in your homes and they will commit rape. I will teach each of you a lesson,” Mr Pal said.
Pal however denied the allegation, saying in a TV interview that he said 'raid' and not 'rape'. 'I never used the word rape, I said raid instead', he said according to reports.
Trinamul national spokesperson Derek O’Brien said the party does not endorse Pal's statement which was “insensitive” whatever be the provocation. “The statements made by Mr Tapas Pal are utterly insensitive. The party does not in any way endorse what he said many weeks ago, which is being played out on TV channels today,” he added.
Mr O’Brien said Mr Pal’s speech was made in May.
Whatever provocation or perceived provocation, people in public life have to be extra-careful in what they say. Can't shoot your mouth off
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) June 30, 2014Sensitive use of language is an obligation for role models in culture, politics and society. If that code is breached, public trust is lost
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) June 30, 2014CPM leader Brinda Karat said the Lok Sabha Speaker should take immediate steps to cancel Pal's membership. Her party colleague Md Salim said Mr Pal’s threat showed the extent of “lawlessness” in TMC-ruled West Bengal.
Onus is on Mamata Banerjee to throw him out of party, suspend him from Parl & register FIR: Kiran Bedi on Tapas Pal pic.twitter.com/EXv4R6l5tj
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2014Violence has no place in politics, its unfortunate such language is used: Manish Tewari on Tapas Pal's statement pic.twitter.com/jf3sFZXzmf
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2014Condemning the remarks, NCW Chairperson Mamta Sharma demanded that strict action be taken against Pal. "I think he should be suspended and investigation should be carried out. I am disappointed that no action has been taken against him as yet and no FIR has been lodged," she said.
A day after a row erupted over Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal threatening to get CPM women raped as political retribution, his wife on Tuesday apologised on behalf of him.
Pal's wife Nandini Pal said her husband shouldn't have used the word 'rape'. "I apologise to the people of the country for the comments made. The comments need to seen in the context, but he shouldn't have used the term 'rape'," Nandini said.
Watch: Tapas Pal issuing rape threats
