Gag order to BJP leaders and allies: Modi cracks down on sexist statements

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unhappy with a spate of misogynistic comments made by his party leaders, according to an Economic Times report. BJP sources told the paper that strict instructions have been given to leaders to not make anti-women comments. One source told the paper, “Not just random comments on women, but any reference to rape and crimes against women in an improper light or even as an illustrative example of something should not be used.” The source added that the PM was very clear in his speech to the Parliament that leaders should not try and psychoanalyse rape and other crimes against women and instead provide strong law and order. The gag order comes in the wake of the controversy sparked by Goa PWD minister Sudin Dhavalikar when he blamed bikinis and short skirts for creating law and order problems. He had said in a statement, “Young girls wearing short skirts in nightclubs are a threat to the Goan culture. This habit of young girls wearing short dresses everywhere does not fit the Goan culture. What will happen to it if this continues? We should not allow this. It should be stopped,” adding that women should stop drinking too “because it is not good for their health”. And while Dhavilkar faced a lot of flak for his ‘anti-bikini’ remarks, Goa CM Manohar Parrikar was also at the centre of a controversy for using rape as a humorous analogy.  He had said   at the annual general body meeting of the Goa State Industries Association, “If I rape, I face only one inspector, if I start small scale industry, there are 26 inspectors.” [caption id=“attachment_1569759” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Narendra Modi in this file photo. PTI[/caption] Women’s rights activists had condemned his remarks, saying that he made a mockery of rape victims and the trauma they undergo.  Sabina Martins, convenor of the Bailancho Saad women’s group, told IANS, “The comments were arrogant and insensitive. It completely demeans victims of rape. But this is not the first time that the chief minister has shown his contempt for women’s issues.” BJP is hardly the only offender in such matters.  TMC MP Tapas Pal faced harsh criticism after a video was leaked which showed him threatening women from opposition parties with rape. TMC chief and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, when asked about what action she plans to take against Pal, merely said, “We have asked for his unconditional apology and explanation. He made a big blunder.” TMC aside, when it comes to making tasteless and misogynistic remarks against women, no one can quite match the record of the Samajwadi Party, which remains a key member of the UPA.  In this context, the Modi advisory comes as heartening news. But PM Narendra Modi’s government still faces criticism from women's rights activist over its defence of minister Nihalchand , who had has not yet resigned despited being summoned by a court in a 2011 rape case that has been reopened. All the top brass of the party have come out to defend him. As we noted in this piece , Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has allegedly issued an advisory to BJP leaders asking them to back the minister of state unconditionally.  CNN IBN reported that Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was employed by the Prime Minister to examine the case, is satisfied with Meghwal’s explanation. BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi too jumped Meghwal’s defence saying, “You can’t falsely implicate someone. Nothing has been proven yet.” At a time when the government is staunchly defending a rape accused, cracking down on anti-women comments just doesn’t cut it.