The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised Congress MP Randeep Surjewala for allegedly making “vile, sexist” comments about Mathura MP Hema Malini. The BJP claims this incident demonstrates the Congress party’s misogynistic attitudes and disrespect towards women.
Surjewala, however, has countered these accusations, stating that the BJP IT cell has selectively shared parts of his speech and distorted the facts. He insists that his words have been taken out of context and used to spread misinformation.
Following these allegations, the Haryana women’s panel has summoned Surjewala to appear on April 9th to address his controversial remarks.
The controversy began when Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT department, shared an undated video on social media platform X. In the video, Surjewala can be heard making potentially offensive remarks about Hema Malini.
Malviya tweeted, “Congress MP Randeep Surjewala makes a vile sexist comment, that is demeaning and derogatory, not just for Hema Malini, who is an accomplished individual, but women in general.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also criticised Surjewala, warning that women would respond strongly in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla further accused the Congress party of disrespecting “nari shakti” (women’s power), citing a recent incident where derogatory remarks were allegedly made against BJP leader Kangana Ranaut by Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate.
In response to the backlash, Surjewala accused the BJP of “twisting facts and spreading lies”. He shared another clip from the same video where he expresses respect for Hema Malini, stating, “The BJP is anti-women, so it sees everything from its misogyny-tinted glasses and conveniently spreads lies.”
Surjewala argues that the BJP is using this controversy to divert attention from the government’s “anti-youth, anti-farmer” policies. He further accused the BJP of never questioning the Prime Minister’s own controversial remarks about women.
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