Should Action Be Taken Against BJP Legislator for Sexist Remarks?

Bhubaneswar, July 10 (NationPress) The Biju Mahila Janata Dal (BMJD), the women's wing of the opposition BJD, submitted a memorandum to the Director General of Police, Odisha, at his Camp Office in Bhubaneswar, demanding prompt action against BJP MLA Santosh Khatua for his offensive remarks directed at BJD leader Lekhasri Samantsinghar.

The delegation insisted on his arrest to prevent any tampering with evidence in a poaching and sexual abuse case, requested the inclusion of Sections 74 and 351 of BNS in the FIR, and sought police protection for Dr. Samantsinghar and her family. They called for swift, impartial action free from political bias to maintain women's dignity in public life.

On the same day, the BJD organized significant protests throughout Odisha against the inappropriate remarks made by BJP MLA Santosh Khatua and the troubling increase in crimes against women in the state. The protests were led by Snehangini Chhuria, a key leader and head of the BJD's Women Wing, who vehemently condemned the MLA's comments.

During the protest march, Chhuria stated, “The remarks made by BJP MLA Santosh Khatua regarding Lekhasri Samantsinghar are not just inappropriate and distasteful; they are fundamentally disrespectful and unacceptable in a civil society. When such derogatory statements are made by an elected official in the State Assembly, it is even more disgraceful. We denounce this in the strongest terms possible.”

Chhuria criticized the BJP leadership for their inaction against Khatua.

“Despite such a shocking statement against women, the BJP has failed to issue an apology or take disciplinary steps against Santosh Khatua. This reveals the party’s true attitude towards women,” she remarked.

The BJD Women’s Wing has also presented memoranda to the Mahila Police Station and the State Women's Commission, urging immediate action.

Expressing concern over the rising incidents of crimes against women in Odisha, Chhuria mentioned, “Currently, rape and violence against women are surging alarmingly. On average, 15 women are raped each day in Odisha. Minor girls are being brutally attacked, and women are being murdered, yet the BJP remains silent on these critical issues. To compound this, their MLA employs derogatory language toward women.”

She further stated that such remarks insult not only all women but also their mothers, sisters, and female party members.

“This is why we organized this protest march today. This movement is merely the beginning. We will escalate our agitation from villages to Delhi if the BJP does not expel the MLA from both the party and the Assembly,” she asserted.

The BJD has demanded the immediate removal of Santosh Khatua from his legislative position and his suspension from the BJP.

“Until action is taken, our struggle will persist,” Chhuria declared.

In response to allegations regarding his involvement in a poaching incident raised by Samantsinghar and other party leaders during a press conference at Sankha Bhavan (the party headquarters) in Bhubaneswar, BJP MLA Khatua allegedly made some sexist comments regarding Samantsinghar on July 2.