Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia got a mouthful from ABP News anchor Rubika Liyaquat during a panel discussion after he blurted out a sexist remark to in response to his opponent questioning the Modi government.
A video clip on social media shows Bhatia, unable to deal with questions the Opposition raised, resorted to ad hominem, saying “wear a petticoat if you’re scared.” Even after repeated appeals from Liyaquat to take his words back and apologise, a stubborn Bhatia chose to brazen it out and refused to apologise. Moreover, Bhatia, displaying chutzpah, questioned her back saying, “kaunsi bhasha ghalat hai?” (What was wrong with my language?)
BJP spokesman @gauravbh slanders women/opposition saying:”Wear petticoat…” and doesn’t stop or apologise even after anchor objects to his abusive tirade. pic.twitter.com/6iv3p2726j
— TheAgeOfBananas 🇬🇧 (@iScrew) March 5, 2019
Immediately after his comment, a visibly angry Rubika Liyaquat lashed out at him for uttering such a remark in a show anchored by a woman. Liyaquat severely castigated him for calling the Opposition leaders names, instead of facing questions and establishing a dialogue. “The Opposition was meant to ask questions, and you are supposed to answer them in a civilised manner, as it was meant to be in a debate,” Liyaquat said. She called him out stating that when women are flying fighter jets, the spokesperson of the ruling party is resorting demean wearing a petticoat, suggesting it to be a sign of weakness.
The anchor hit out at him saying that he had no right to demean either women or the Opposition. However, not only did Bhatia overlook her demand to apologise, but he also chose to name his opponent saying, “it is Rohan Gupta who should be apologising.”
BJP has come under attack for its anti-women stands often. This time too, social media slammed the party spokesperson for slandering women. Senior advocate Indira Jaising hit out at Bhatia, who is also a lawyer for his remark. “Shame on you Gaurav Bhatia, you are bound to honour the guarantee of non-discrimination based on sex, this is a blatant sexist remark; apologise, or you cannot be designated a senior Advocate.”
Shame on you Gaurav Bhatia , you you are bound to honour the guarantee of non discrimination based on sex , this is a blatant sexist remark , apologise, or you cannot be designated a senior Advocate @ScbaIndia @maneeshchhibber @barandbench @LiveLawIndia @FeminismInIndia @BDUTT https://t.co/pk4nVNLRIx
— Indira Jaising (@IJaising) March 6, 2019
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also slammed Bhatia. “Shameful and revolting. Men in our culture often berate each other by using sexist remarks. Why must their slurs revolve around the opposite sex? Currently, women journos and politicians have more guts to stand up to the establishment than these men who are petrified of speaking up,” she tweeted.
Shameful & revolting. Men in our culture often berate each other by using sexist remarks.Why must their slurs revolve around the opposite sex? Currently women journos & politicians have more guts to stand up to the establishment than these men who are petrified of speaking up. https://t.co/DRcomy7pof
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 6, 2019
Another user, taking a jibe at the BJP’s and the right-wing’s history of misogyny, tweeted that Bhatia would probably be promoted in the party for his comment.
Gaurav Bhatia will get promotion in BJP.
— Ravi Ratan (@scribe_it) March 6, 2019
Another user questioned the BJP that talks of women empowerment and having this mindset. “One more sleep (sic) of tongue of Gaurav Bhatia. Shame on you BJP and its Official Speaker. Is this Women Empowerment you guys are talking? Before a lady Anchor Rubika Liyaquat you are saying bangles and petticoats are a sign of Weakness.”
https://twitter.com/VishalBansod11/status/1102910514177470464
What does ‘wear petticoat’ even mean? https://t.co/0KiNEX9Aky
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) March 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/priyaramani/status/1103132520206528513
The BJP and its members have a long history of uttering problematic statements. Bhatia’s insensitive remark comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s distasteful joke on dyslexic children.
Also read: Shameful: Prime Minister Modi Makes Fun of Dyslexia, Dyslexic Students