Tabu Rao, the wife of Karnataka Congress Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao, slammed Union Minister of State for Skill Development Anantkumar Hegde for his crass comments on Monday, January 28. She said that that Hegde’s misogynistic and provocative remarks are highly unbecoming of a Union Minister.
Hegde had recently made hateful comments while addressing a rally in Karnataka’s Kodagu. He had said, “There should be a fundamental shift in our thinking. We should keenly observe what’s happening around us. Regardless of caste and religion, a hand that touches a Hindu girl should not exist,” the minister said.”
Following that, Dinesh Gundu Rao had attacked Hegde, asking what his achievements were after becoming a Union Minister or even as an MP? “What are your contributions for Karnataka’s development? All I can say for sure, it’s deplorable that such people have become ministers & have managed to get elected as MP’s,” said Rao, citing a news report on Hegde’s quotes.
@AnantkumarH
Wht are ur achievements after becoming a Union Minister or as MP?
Wht are ur contributions for Karnataka’s development?
All I can say for sure,it’s deplorable tht such people have become ministers & have managed to get elected as MP’s. https://t.co/IMtjPSj9aK— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) January 27, 2019
Hegde, of course, upped the ante and his riposte was chockful of sectarian rhetoric. He had said on Twitter, “I shall definitely answer this guy Dinesh Gundu Rao’s queries, before which could he please reveal himself as to who he is along with his achievements? I only know him as a guy who ran behind a Muslim lady.”
I shall definitely answer this guy @dineshgrao's queries, before which could he please reveal himself as to who he is along with his achievements?
I only know him as a guy who ran behind a Muslim lady. https://t.co/8hVJ2wQXMU— Anantkumar Hegde (@AnantkumarH) January 27, 2019
Tabu Rao, on January 28, tweeted her response to this malice. “My response to Union minister Mr Ananth Kumar Hegde’s statement which are disrespectful to my family and me,” adding that Hegde had blocked her on Twitter.
My response to Union minister Mr Ananth Kumar Hegde's statement which are disrespectful to my family and me. Unfortunately, I am unable to tag him because he has blocked me. @dineshgrao pic.twitter.com/ZsiBf2jgKB
— Tabu Rao (@TabbuRao) January 28, 2019
She further added on a Facebook post that “It appears I am a soft target for certain BJP leaders who are unable to politically take on my husband, Mr Dinesh Gundu Rao, who is also the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). After BJP MPs Mr Pratap Simha and Ms Shobha Kharandlaje, it is now the turn of Union Minister Mr Ananth Kumar Hegde to drag me into a political slugfest, where I am nowhere involved. I am a private person, a mother of two girls and a devout housewife. I do not hold any party or public position.”
She also said, “I have never made any personal remarks against any BJP leader, and I strongly resent them using me as a pawn in their cheap politics. If they have the courage, they should challenge my husband politically instead of hiding behind a housewife’s saree and throwing stones. Such misogynistic and provocative remarks are highly unbecoming of a Union Minister.”
She said that Karnataka politicians are generally known for their maturity and dignity and urged that Hegde and his colleagues not to sully the image of the state through their “vitriolic statements and demeaning remarks against women.”
Also read: These Tweets by Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde Give a Peek Into His Mindset