Kolkata Abhijit Mukherjee, son of President Pranab Mukherjee and Member of Parliament from West Bengal, has kicked up a storm by making sexist remarks in connection with the anti-gang-rape protests in Delhi and elsewhere.
While speaking to reporters in Jangipur Bengal, Mukherjee said, “What’s basically happening in Delhi is a lot like Egypt or elsewhere, which is something like the Pink revolution. There people have very little connection with ground realities. In India, staging candle-lit marches, and then going to discotheques and pubs have become fashionable. We did all this during our student life too, we were students too — I know very well what kind of character students should have. Those who claim to be students — I can see many beautiful women among them — highly dented-painted — they’re giving interviews on TV, they’ve brought their children to show them the scenes. I have grave doubts whether they’re students, because women of that age are generally not students.”
Mukherjee remains unapologetic about his remark and has expressed his sadness if he has “unknowingly” offended any sections of society. “I am being quoted out of context. Women aged 35 and above can’t be students. These protests are not about students as being suggested by the media. Women wearing make-up and coming to protest has become a style statement. there is no question of retracting my statement.
However, his comments have sparked a family feud as his sister Sharmistha Mukherjee, who was quite shocked by the statement. Speaking to Gulf News, she said, “It is quite appalling that he has said such a thing. I am not only shocked but quite surprise at his attitude towards the protestors and offer my sincere apologies on my brother’s behalf. I am still not sure what made him make such tasteless comments about women. Our father will never approve of this.”
There has been serious political reparation from all over the country and even his colleagues in state Congress could not agree. “Socially it is a lewd comment and politically a highly immature one especially at a time when there is so much anger amongst politicians all over the country,” said a state Congress leader with repeated requests of anonymity.
“This comment just goes to show how Indian men look upon women. Apart from enacting tougher laws, there has to be a massive sensitisation programme to root out this evil from society,” said Trinamool Congress leader Ratna Dey.
“The roots of gang-rape lie at childhood. It is a disease like polio where vaccination has to happen at the very infancy or else that person may turn out to be a social evil. every parent should start looking inwards as to how they are bringing up their son who may achieve laurels elsewhere but will not be a respected human being in society. Rape also happens in our homes most by fathers, brothers and relatives most of which go unreported. it is time of serious introspection within Indian homes,” said sociologist Suparna Mitra.
