People's Democracy

Mind Your Language

Women's Organisations  Warn Amar Singh

 

The following is the text of the joint press statement issued by six women�s organisations condemning Amar Singh�s sexist remarks while referring to the meetings between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other political parties.

 

The organisations which issued the statement were All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), Guild of Service (GOS), Joint Women�s Programme (JWP), Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and Centre for Women's Development Studies (CWDS).

 

THE widely reported remark made by Amar Singh using sexist language to describe meetings between political leaders, is highly objectionable, condemnable, and unacceptable. He has been reported as using terms like �suhaagraat� (wedding night) and �balaatkar� (rape) to refer to the meetings between Sonia Gandhi, and leaders of other political parties.  It is quite shocking that a political leader can make comments in such bad taste about political relationships that involve a prominent woman leader of the country. There are many women in high political office and in the leadership of various parties. Such remarks not only trivialise their role, and insults the concerned individual, but is demeaning to all women. The women�s organisations strongly condemn this remark, which is totally unbefitting of a political leader occupying a responsible position. We call upon all democratic organisations and individuals to condemn this kind of verbal abuse.

 

Since the remark referred to has not been denied by Amar Singh, we demand a retraction, and a public apology.