TDP MP wants dress code for women
Murali Mohan. (Photo: DC/File)
New Delhi: A sexist remark by first-time Telugu Desam MP from Rajahmundry Murali Mohan Maganti, calling upon women to dress in a dignified manner, triggered vociferous protests from other members in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The BJP benches, though, remained silent spectators with none joining the protests against the Telugu Desam MP’s remarks that came during a discussion on the need for stringent legislation to check increasing atrocities against women and children in the country.
Speaking from a written text and speaking from the back benches, the TD MP made his atrocious remarks almost at the tail-end of his speech.
He said, “Finally, to uphold the tradition of our Indian culture, I would earnestly appeal to all my sisters, daughters and girls to dress dignifiedly.” (sic)
His remarks seeking to be the moral police triggered immediate protests from the few women MPs of the Congress present in the House, among them Sushmita Dev and Ranjeet Ranjan as well as Supriya Sule of the NCP.
Seemingly amused with the protests, another first-time MP belonging to the Telugu Desam Jayadev Galla, sitting on Mr Maganti’s right could be seen smiling.
In the ruckus over his remarks, Ms Ranjan was heard saying, “Kya inke pas bolne ke liye koi line nahin hai (does he not have anything specific to say)?”
Amidst the din, Hukum Singh, who was in the Chair at the time, responded to the protests against TD MP Murali Mohan’s comments by saying, “I entirely agree with you. This should not have happened.” However, as the protests continued, Mr Singh urged angry members to take their seats while assuring them, “I will look into it. It is a very serious matter. I entirely agree with you.”
Sushmita Dev was then heard saying, “ He should be asked to leave the House, it (remarks) should be expunged.”
A little later, Ms Dev was heard saying that Mr Maganti should be suspended from the House. Asked about his remarks, Mr Maganti later told reporters “If they feel it is bad, then I don’t mind withdrawing (my statement). It they are disturbed by the statement, I will apologise.”
Mr Maganti’s remarks weren’t the only controversial ones made on the floor of the Lok Sabha this afternoon. Ranjeet Ranjan of the Congress demanded that prostitution in cities be legalised as is the case in several other countries. Explaining the logic behind her demand, she said that sex-workers here neither have access to health facilities nor money as it is taken away by the middle-men. The police too has to be bribed by them. “ So why not legalise it?” she asked.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi too was once again active in the House, joining other party MPs in urging the Chair to allow Ms Ranjan to speak beyond the time allotted to her.
Yet another woman MP, Geetha Kothapalli of the YSR Congress, who too has been elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time, drew the attention of the House to the fact that she has had to face both derogatory remarks and defamation at the hands of the local media.
“Very vulgar comments have been carried about me in the social media,” said Ms Kothapalli while speaking during the debate. She noted that when she herself has had to face such problems, the plight of other women could be well imagined.
Murali Mohan may be TTD chairman
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is likely to appoint Telugu Desam Rajahmundry MP Maganti Murali Mohan as chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. The government is likely to issue orders to this affect next week.
The AP Cabinet, in its last meeting, has decided to issue an ordinance removing all the existing temple committees in the state, including the TTD Board. AP government chief secretary I.Y.R. Krishna Rao has signed the file on Wednesday and ordinance is likely to be issued in a day or two. The Telangana TD leaders have been requesting Mr Naidu to appoint six members from Telangana as TTD members.
( Source : dc )
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