The ruling BJP on Wednesday came in for severe criticism from various political parties and other quarters for its Mumbai MLA Ram Kadam’s controversial comment that he would help “abduct” girls and bring them to their spurned suitors for marriage.
Two days after Kadam made the questionable remark at a “Dahi-handi” function on Monday, the ruling Shiv Sena joined the Opposition Congress, NCP, MNS and NCP in demanding stringent action against the BJP MLA for his “...Beti Bhagao” comment which had infuriated various sections across the State.
The video clip carrying Kadam’s remark – made at a Dahi-handi function held in his home constituency of Ghatkopar in north-east Mumbai — that he was prepared to help “abduct” women and bring them to spurned youngsters for marriage went viral across the State.
Addressing the young men taking part in the “Dahi-handi” rally on Monday night, Kadam had said: “Say if a girl whom you like spurns you, then please let me know and bring your parents. If even parents approve the girl, then I will help you abduct the girl concerned and bring her to you so that you can marry her. For the purpose, you can take down my mobile number and contact me whenever you need my help”.
On his part, Kadam put out a tweet late on Tuesday night saying: “I had no intention to hurt the sentiments of anyone. But if I have done so, I regret it. On the second day of my statement, the Opposition trying to create misunderstanding about me among the people”. However, Kadam’s belated clarification did not cut with the Opposition parties and women groups across the state.
Leading the charge against the BJP, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray came down heavily against his party’s ruling alliance partner in the state and at the Centre for Kadam’s controversial remarks. “At a time when the BJP is mouthing slogans like Beti padao, Beti bachao, here is its own MLA who is also talking about abducting women. That being the case, we will to tell the people now “Beti bachao” from the MLA concerned. I urge the BJP leadership and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to act quickly against Kadam,” Uddhav said, while talking to media persons.
Addressing a party workers’ organised at Indapur in Pune district, Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil of the Congress rooted for stringent action against Kadam for his “Beti Bhagao...” comment. “If the BJP does not take immediate action against Kadam, then we will not allow the proceedings in the State Assembly during the next session”.
The Congress’ women activists staged a massive protest against Kadam’s remarks, by burning down an effigy of the BJP MLA at Indapur.
While State Congress chief Ashok Chavan demanded to know if the BJP had made Kadam a legislator to kidnap women, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said: "The BJP's 'Ravana' face has surfaced. Kadam is talking about kidnapping women. So henceforth he should be called 'Ravana Kadam'."
Senior Shiv Sena leader and spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said though he (Kadam) was named after Ram, he nursed evil thoughts like Ravana.
Samajwadi President Abu Asim Azmi said the BJP MLA's speech was a clear indicator that the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign was a sham.
Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Preeti Sharma-Menon wanted to know from the BJP’s male leaders, if it was okay if their daughters were “abducted” by Kadam, while Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam said “this only shows what’s in store for women” under the BJP regime and exhorted women across the country not to vote for BJP.
While the women activists gheraoed state Education Minister Vinod Tawde in the city, the NCP workers staged noisy protests in front of the Ghatkopar police station demanding Kadam’s arrest.
The Congress, NCP, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Samajwadi Party (SP) and others organised noisy protests across the state, condemning Kadam’s remarks.
In Aurangabad, a group of MNS activists dressed as Maharashtrian ‘grooms’, staged a mock protest and demanded that “Kadam should kidnap and bring brides” for them. The MNS activists took out a morcha at Thane in protest against Kadam
Similarly, various forms of protests were staged at Palghar, Raigad, Nashik, Pune, Solapur and Osmanabad. Apart from taking out morchas, the protesters burnt Kadam’s effigies and slapped Kadam’s posters with chappals.