Ahead of the state assembly polls, the Haryana State Commission for Women has asked leaders of all political parties, organisations and individuals to refrain from expressing indecent remarks against women in the State.
The Commission has written letters to all political parties, state enforcement agencies and police headquarters, urging it to take strict action at their level against those who make "disparaging" comments against women. The Commission has taken this decision following Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader Digvijay Singh Chautala’s controversial remarks targeting BJP's Sapna Chaudhary.
The vice-chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, Preeti Bhardwaj said, “An advisory regarding the same has been issued to political parties and enforcement agencies. It is indeed a matter of dignity of all women. Leaders of any political party who make remarks which are indecent and infringe the modesty of women, the Commission will take sue motto initiative and after conducting thorough investigation, recommend for action against them and will be sent to the state enforcement agency concerned. The enforcement agencies should also take action at their level against such political leaders and individuals.”
Bhardwaj said, “The Commission further brings into the notice of all individuals associated with political parties to therefore the henceforth-be graceful, decent and dignified in the public meetings and forums and make plausible efforts to create sense of safe and empowered social structure where women are at ease and look at them without being judgemental about their professional career choices whatever it might be.”
Meanwhile, some data of recently held parliamentary and assembly elections in the state revealed that leaders of some political parties had made controversial remarks against women to get electoral mileage over the opposition parties.
During previous elections, a senior BJP leader in Haryana had said, “If his party was voted to power in the state polls, it would "get" girls from Bihar for the men in Haryana to marry.
Recently, JJP leader Digvijay Singh Chautala sought an apology from the Commission over his remark on Haryanvi artist Sapna Chaudhary who had recently joined the BJP. The Commission had earlier issued a notice to Digvijay Singh Chautala. Digvijay had apparently said: “Ab thumke lagane wali BJP ke liye votes layegi (Now, a dancer will bring votes for the BJP).”
The Commission has also written letters to state government enforcement agencies and police headquarters, urging it to take strict action against those leaders who make "disparaging" comments against women. They need to ensure that no party or individual is allowed to pass gender-based comments or comments that outrage the modesty and integrity of a woman. In case a candidate or member of political parties is found indulging in making controversial remark, legal action should be taken against them. The police should ensure registration of an FIR and arrest of the individual concerned, if they play with the dignity of the women, the Commission has suggested in the advisory.
The vice-chairperson further said that after studying such cases reported in the Commission it has been observed that leaders and individuals used to escape after making indecent remarks against women especially during election. But now onwards such precedence should be stopped. The advisory has been sent to the parties and organisations linked with the political parties with the sole purpose of appealing them to refrain from giving remarks which are in anyway indecent, uncalled for and directly or indirectly hit the dignity and respect of any women.
In the past, as well the Commission (being the expert body to address the issues pertaining to the safety and security of women) has taken notice of such issues which arose from time and again. The Commission also made efforts and persuaded persons who have publically downgraded or disparaged women either by words, actions and or deeds or anything that may amount to disrespecting women, in any sense of term, she said, adding the commission further appeals to one and all, irrespective of any/all gender biases and in view of the forthcoming elections in the state of Haryana to promote equally of status and maintain the decency with decorum that is expected from the law abiding citizens of the nation.