DCW writes to EC, seeks changes in MCC

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, demanding stringent action against politicians who make disparaging comments against women on public platforms. The Commission hopes that the Election Commission would take these recommendations into consideration at the earliest.

New Delhi: Taking cognizance of the new low in politics with Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan’s recent derogatory comments against his Rampur opponent Jaya Prada, the Delhi Commission for Women has written to the Chief Election Commissioner Shri Sunil Arora asking for stringent action against politicians who make disparaging comments against women on public platforms.

In its recommendation to the Election Commission, DCW has said that the model code of conduct should be revised to include a provision 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 any candidate or member of a political party is found to violate the code, the Commission recommends that he should be barred from contesting the current election. Also, the Commission recommends that for violations of the code, the EC should ensure registration of an FIR and arrest of the individual concerned.

In its letter, DCW has said that even after the Bangalore molestation case, back in 2017, Maharashtra MLA Abu Azmi had repeatedly stated that girls wearing short clothes and roaming outside invite rape. The Delhi Commission for Women had at that point ensured registration of an FIR against him. However, no arrest was made in the case.

Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Ms Swati Maliwal said that, “Individuals holding responsible positions in the political sphere must be strictly discouraged from using offensive and derogatory remarks against women. While the Model Code of Conduct discourages activity that aggravates existing differences or cause tension between different castes and communities, languages or religions, it does not include any provision regarding passing misogynistic, sexist or gender-based remarks against women. Also, although an FIR is lodged in some of these cases, no strict action is being taken by the police against the persons concerned. The Commission hopes that the Election Commission would take these recommendations into consideration at the earliest.”