NCW Issues Notice To Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury For "Rashtrapatni" Remark

The National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma called Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s “rashtrapatni” remark about President Droupadi Murmu sexist and derogatory.  NCW also issued a notice to Chowdhury and he is expected to tender a written explanation for his remark.

On July 28, Lok Sabha Member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called President Droupadi Murmu “rashtrapatni,” the comment sparked a row as the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi for the Congress Party member's remark.

Reacting to the remark, NCW chief Rekha Sharma said that Chowdhury should “apologise in writing” and also asked Gandhi to take action against him. “The remark of Parliamentarian Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury towards the President of India is very derogatory. This sexist remark shows his mindset towards women,” Sharma said, also adding, “When he can speak like this towards the highest authority of India, how must he be behaving with others?”

Sharma said that NCW has written to Gandhi regarding the same and has summoned Chowdhury.

Rashtrapatni Remark by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury creates political storm

The NCW along with the Chairpersons and senior officials of different State Commissions for Women condemned the remarks in an official statement. The chairpersons and representatives of State Commissions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Manipur, and Odisha were present at the meeting in Andhra Pradesh.

The press note from NCW stated that Chowdhury’s remark against President Murmu was derogatory, sexist and condemnable and took cognizance of the matter. A notice was also sent to Chowdhury to appear before the NCW in person and to tender a written explanation for his remark. The hearing is scheduled for August 3.

Chowdhury, on the other hand, has said he could not even think about insulting President Murmu and said he would personally meet her and apologise for his remark. He said, “I uttered it only once. It was a slip of tongue.”

Union Minister Smriti Irani and Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman also criticised Chowdhury’s remarks and said Sonia Gandhi should tender an apology on his behalf. Sitharaman said it was a “deliberate sexist remark” while Irani opined, “A poor tribal woman is being disrespected by your male leaders”.

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