Sharad Yadav VS Smriti Irani: JD(U) leader rejects his comments as being sexist and offensive

NEW DELHI: Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav, who aired his views about women and their complexion in the Rajya Sabha last week, rejected all characterisation of his comments as being sexist or offensive in any manner, rebuffing widespread condemnation of his remarks on those very grounds.

He was especially vehement in this while reacting to the objections of HRD minister Smriti Irani in the Upper House on Monday, seemingly unfazed by her status as fellow member. “Who are you?” Yadav asked. “Be seated as a minister... Listen to me.” He expanded on this subsequently in more remarks directed against Irani:: “You sit down. I have heard your request and deny this (charge) with full force. Women alone have not taken the responsibility of women. We are people belonging to the Ram (Manohar Lohia) tradition.”

Yadav unleashed his diatribe on Monday after Union minister RS Prasad, who’d been dragged into the controversy through no fault of his own, also asked Yadav to withdraw his comment. “I completely dissociate myself and I completely disapprove of the comment,” Prasad said.

“We, all of us, must respect women, their dignity and I appeal to Sharad Yadav to withdraw this comment.” An unapologetic Yadav maintained that he was only stating that the number of dark complexioned women in India and the world was high and that he was ready to debate this issue with anybody. At this point, Irani intervened, saying, “I don’t think any remarks should be made on anything about women which is disparaging in any way.” Irani appealed to Yadav not to make remarks about the colour of women’s skin as a “very wrong message is going to the rest of the country.”

DMK member Kanimozhi also asked Yadav to desist from making comments about south Indian women.

Yadav’s remarks about women that were made during the Insurance Bill debate on Wednesday aren’t the first time he’s made such statements.

During the debate on the women’s reservation bill, he had said the proposed law would only benefit “parkati” women or those with short hair, implying those who belong to elite sections. On Wednesday, he suggested that British film-maker Leslee Udwin, who made a documentary on the Nirbhaya case that India has banned, got permission to shoot because she was white.

His remarks have angered members across party lines though many refrained from speaking out openly against the JD(U) leader, a one-time winner of the Best Parliamentarian award. BSP chief Mayawati, a member of the Rajya Sabha, said it would have been better if Yadav, a senior member, avoided such issues.