FIR Against BJP's Pravin Darekar For Allegedly Sexist "Painted Cheeks" Remark

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pravin Darekar is facing action for allegedly passing a sexist remark that the opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would "kiss any painted cheeks," as per reports on Wednesday. An FIR was registered against him following a complaint by NCP's Rupali Chakankar in Pune.

Darekar made the said comment in Marathi during an address at a recent event in the Shirur area. Chakankar, alleging Darekar insulted Maharashtrian women with his statements, said they contained "objectionable references to women. Since then, the women across the state have condemned these remarks," as quoted by Indian Express. 

Chakankar further pointed out Darekar hadn't yet apologised. Explaining her stance, she shared a video on social media saying she complained against Darekar "with the intention that we women will get justice within the framework of the law."

Watch below: 

प्रविण दरेकर तुम्ही जनाची नाही तर मनाची लाज राखून महिला भगिनींची माफी मागायला हवी....

कायद्याच्या चौकटीत राहून आम्हा महिलांना न्याय मिळेल या उद्देशाने याबाबत मी पुण्यात FIR दखल केले आहे..(1/2)@maharashtra_hmo @mipravindarekar @CPPuneCity pic.twitter.com/2KQUgieHka

— Rupali Chakankar (@ChakankarSpeaks) September 22, 2021

Pravin Darekar Under Fire For "Kiss" Comment

Darekar is the current leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. He was previously with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) but switched over to the BJP after losing the 2014 state assembly polls. As per reports, he faced action in 2015 for alleged embezzlement of Rs 123 crores.

Darekar is booked under section 509 ("word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of woman") of the Indian Penal Code, a senior inspector confirmed. The case is being probed by police officials in Shirur, as per PTI. 

Several male politicians in the recent past have come under fire for controversial statements perceived to insult women. Last month, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra was widely criticised for remarks over the Mysuru gangrape, in which he reportedly said the couple assaulted shouldn't have gone to a desolate area so late. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant came under fire for similar comments in July this year. Read more instances here.

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