Uttarakhand: BJP chief calls Congress leader 'Budhiya,' controversy follows
What's the story
Bansidhar Bhagat, the President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttarakhand, is being slammed by the Congress after he allegedly called the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Indira Hridayesh a "Budhiya" (old woman). The grand old party picked arms against BJP demanding that Bhagat apologizes for his derogatory remark. Perhaps sensing that the controversy could intensify, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed regret.
What happened
Congress leader claimed BJP members were in touch with her
On Tuesday evening, Bhagat was addressing party workers in Nainital's Bhimtal area and spoke about Hridayesh's claims that many within BJP were unhappy with the party. She said some were even in contact with her. "Humari neta-pratipaksha keh rahi bahut se vidhayak humare sampark me hain...Are budhiya tujhse kyun sampark karenge? Doobte jahaz se koi sampark karega?" Bhagat asked, after which the crowd cheered.
Do you know?
'Why would they contact you?'
His words are loosely translated as follows: Our Leader of Opposition says that several MLAs are in touch with us. Why would they contact you old woman? What would one want to do with a sinking ship?
Reaction
Hridayesh said BJP leader insulted motherhood with his words
The comment, unsurprisingly, prompted a sharp reaction from Hridayesh. The 79-year-old was "hurt" by the choice of words of the BJP chief. "If he uses such language, then it is an insult to the motherhood which the women of our hills will never forgive. I don't use such dirty language, so won't reply to him by stooping to his level," she added.
Appeal
She urged BJP President JP Nadda to take appropriate action
Hridayesh pinned hopes on the state and national leadership, saying they should demand answers from Bhagat. Her videos, criticizing the remark, were uploaded on Twitter by the Uttarakhand wing of Congress. "Those raising the slogan of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao should at least take care of their language," she suggested. Congress also said BJP has shown how serious it is about women's dignity.
Twitter Post
The words show Bhagat's mentality: Hridayesh
सोशल मीडिया के माध्यम से मुझे @BJP4UK के अध्यक्ष श्री@bansidharbhagat की महिलाओं के प्रति तुच्छ सोच का पता चला। भीमताल में भाजपा की एक बैठक में, उम्र में खुद से बड़ी महिला के प्रति कहे गए शब्द उनकी छोटी सोच और तुच्छ मानसिकता का परिचय देते है। इस प्रकार की अशोभनीय भाषा किसी भी ... pic.twitter.com/jfr25lJXnp
— Dr. Indira Hridayesh (@IndiraHridayesh) January 5, 2021
Apology
Rawat expressed regret, promised to meet Hridayesh
A furious Congress also burnt effigies of Bhagat and BJP. Meanwhile, Rawat attempted to douse the fire by apologizing on Twitter. Tagging Hridayesh, the BJP leader said he was hurt while adding that he has the utmost respect for women. "I personally apologize to you and all those who are unhappy like me. I'll talk to you in person tomorrow and apologize again," he tweeted.
Twitter Post
Rawat claimed the recent events distressed him
आदरणीय @IndiraHridayesh बहिन जी आज मैं अति दुखी हूँ । महिला हमारे लिए अति सम्मानित व पूज्या हैं। मैं व्यक्तिगत रूप से आपसे व उन सभी से क्षमा चाहता हँ जो मेरी तरह दुखी हैं। मैं कल आपसे व्यक्तिगत बात करूँगा व पुनः क्षमा याचना करूँगा। 🙏🏻🙏🏻
— Trivendra Singh Rawat (@tsrawatbjp) January 5, 2021