New Delhi: The National Commission for Women on Tuesday took cognizance of Congress leader Ajai Rai's alleged sexist comment against Union Minister Smriti Irani even as police in Uttar Pradesh also registered a case against him. The NCW has scheduled a hearing in the matter and sent a notice to Rai to appear before it on December 28 at noon.
Rai on Monday took a jibe at Union Minister Smriti Irani and said that she comes to her constituency Amethi only to do "latke-jhatke" (random dance) and goes away. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rai was talking to reporters in Sonbhadra district.
In reply to a question on the chances of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the 2024 General Elections, Rai said, "Amethi is certainly the Gandhi family's seat and will remain so. Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and many members of the Gandhi family have served in the place."
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Talking about Irani, who had dethroned Rahul Gandhi from his bastion Amethi in the 2019 elections, giving an unflattering reference to dance moves Rai said, "She only visits the constituency and 'latke-jhatke dekar chali jaati hai' (She does 'latke jhatke' and goes away).
A day later, the NCW said it has come across media reports on the controversial remark made by Rai against Irani. "The remarks made are outrageous and extremely derogatory and the Commission strongly condemns such statements," NCW said.
Police in Sonbhadra, meanwhile, registered a case against Rai for his "latka-jhatka" remark. "A case has been registered against Ajay Rai on the complaint lodged by BJP's mahila morcha head of Sonbhdra Pushpa Singh at the Robertsganj Police Station," Station House Officer of Roberstganj Police Station, Balmukund Mishra, was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The case has been registered under sections 354(A) (sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
