Sexist outbursts from Indian political leaders

by Shivendra Singh · March 16, 2015

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav on Thursday launched an exposition about “saanvli (dark)” south Indian women while debating the Insurance bill in Rajya Sabha. Yadav said, “The women of the south are dark but they are as beautiful as their bodies…We don’t see it here. They know dance.”

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav

In the past also, the Indian political class has made derogatory remarks on Indian women:

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam

Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam to BJP MP Smriti Irani, “It’s only four days of your entry into politics and you have become a political analyst. Aap toh TV pe thumke lagati thi, aaj chunavi vishleshak ban gayi (you were shaking your hips on TV, and now you have become a psephologist).”

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh said “Our party MP, Meenakshi Natrajan, is a Gandhian, simple and an honest leader. She keeps going from place to place in her constituency. I am a seasoned smith of politics. Meenakshi sau tunch maal hai.”

Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav

Opposing the Women’s Bill in the Lok Sabha, Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav said that the Bill would only benefit the well-off in the cities, describing well-off women as, “par kati auratein”.

Congress MP Abhijit Mukherjee

Congress MP and President Pranab Mukerjee’s son Abhijit Mukherjee on the Delhi anti-rape protests: “dented-painted women protesters in Delhi went to discotheques and then turned up at India Gate to express outrage.”

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav addressing a public rally in Barabanki, ‘“Only women from the affluent classes can get ahead in life, but remember you rural women will never get a chance because you are not that attractive.”

Former MP Sriprakash Jaiswal

After India’s victory over Pakistan in T20 championship, former MP Sriprakash Jaiswal said: “as time passes, the joy of the victory fades, just like a wife becomes old and loses her charm.”

Senior BJP leader Muqtar Abbas Naqvi

Soon after the 26/11 attacks, senior BJP leader Muqtar Abbas Naqvi said, “some women wearing lipstick and powder have taken to the streets in Mumbai and are abusing politicians democracy. This is what terrorists are doing in Kashmir.”

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray