Telangana women’s panel rebukes Bandi Sanjay, warns against ridiculing women

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Women’s Commission on Saturday reacted seriously to the alleged derogatory comments made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Telangana President Bandi Sanjay against BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha.

The Commission grilled Bandi Sanjay at its office here for close to three hours during which it played video clippings of the BJP Telangana chief’s uncourteous remarks against women. Warning him against repeating such derogatory comments against women in future, the Commission also restrained him from using proverbs as references to women in his speeches.

The Commission also sent out a stern message stating that stringent action would be taken against anyone who made hurtful comments against women. “It is not appropriate to indulge in political or other comments in this manner against women. You should not repeat this type of outbursts,” it reportedly told Bandi Sanjay in no uncertain terms.

Bandi Sanjay submitted a written explanation to the commission on his controversial comments against BRS MLC Kavitha. He described his remarks as inadvertent in nature and that he meant no ill-will against Kavitha. He also reportedly told the Women’s Commission in his written explanation that he did not make all those comments with mala fide intentions. He further asserted that he and his party, the BJP, respects women to the core.

At this juncture, the commission members countered Bandi Sanjay’s claims by playing a few video clippings from the past where the BJP Telangana president was seen making uncouth remarks against women. They included a few clippings in which Sanjay was seen ridiculing the Batukamma dances as disco dance besides calling women “thieves and infidels”.

The Women’s Commission is likely to summon the BJP Telangana chief once again in future for further questioning.