Bhubaneswar: Members of the state unit of BJP Mahila Morcha Tuesday engaged in a scuffle with police here at Raj Bhawan Square when they were on their way to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Demanding action against Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy for his alleged derogatory remarks on women, the Mahila Morcha workers marched towards Naveen Niwas from the party office. However, they were stopped by police at Raj Mahal square.
More than 10 BJP Mahila Morcha activists were also arrested by police for allegedly attempting to barge into Naveen Niwas here.
BJP Mahila Morcha president Pravati Parida reiterated her earlier statement that Chief Minister’s silence over the issue is more painful than Maharathy’s disparaging remarks against the women.
BJP leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar demanded an apology from the minister and also his removal from the Cabinet.
She said an “emergency-like” situation was prevailing in the state with the minister roaming free while those who fight for the rights of women are being prevented from doing.
The BJP women wing workers also alleged that male police personnel were deployed against them and the latter also misbehaved with them. However, Bhubaneswar DCP rejected the allegation and said adequate female police force was there. Reacting, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said that women-related issues are very sensitive and should not be politicised.
“If the BJP is so concerned about women-related issues, then it should clarify why recently-conducted international studies have revealed that women have been most unsafe in the last four-and-a-half years of the saffron party’s reign,” Patra said.
In his clarification, Maharathy had already stated that his statement has been misinterpreted by media as he has never said anything derogatory against women. He had also refused to tender any apology.
PNN