NE NEWS SERVICE
COIMBATORE, APRIL 9
In his first major video where he is seen talking after the crucial brain surgery, Spiritual leader Sadhguru, Founder-Isha Foundation, is seen strongly condemning the rising sexist and derogatory comments towards women leaders in the Indian political discourse ahead of national elections 2024.
“In the last two weeks, I am hearing the type of words that people are using for women. Somebody is talking about “rate card” and someone else is saying disgusting things about a 75-year-old lady. Someone else is talking about the parentage of over a 60-year-old politician. It doesn’t matter which party you belong to, please block out these people,” said Sadhguru in a video posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
In the last two weeks, the language used about women in the political discourse has included "rate card", questions about parentage and disgusting comments about a 75-year-old lady. What is wrong with us? I request the media and influencers, please ban such people for good. We… pic.twitter.com/MXpPK9saEC
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) April 8, 2024
Sadhguru’s appeal comes in the wake of several recent instances where political figures across party lines have used offensive language against women leaders.
“If you don’t change the narrative in this country, you cannot change anything,” Sadhguru added, urging action from all stakeholders, including media houses and social media platforms.
“I’m requesting all of you, media houses, social media influencers and whoever else you are, make sure that these people who say disgusting things about women are blocked out for good, I see two days later they’re slinking back on the screens.”
As India gears up for elections and public discourse intensifies, discussions have hit a new low with derogatory remarks about women being the order of the day. Sadhguru’s words highlight the urgent need to change the narrative surrounding women in India, particularly in political discourse and public spaces.
Isha Foundation’s Sadhguru was referring to the comments made against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates Kangana Ranaut and Hema Malini and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
The Congress has come under fire from the BJP over party leader Randeep Surjewala’s remarks on BJP MP Malini, days after party leader Supriya Srinate was embroiled in a similar controversy over her post against BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut.
In an undated video posted by BJP leader Amit Malviya on X, Surjewala was heard passing lewd remarks against Hema Malini. “Congress MP Randeep Surjewala makes a vile sexist comment, that is demeaning and derogatory, not just for Hema Malini, who is an accomplished individual, but women in general. This is Rahul Gandhi’s Congress. It is misogynistic and abhors women,” Malviya wrote on X.
#WATCH | Mathura, UP: On Congress leader Randeep Surjewala's statements on her, BJP MP Hema Malini says, "… They target only popular people because targeting the unpopular ones won't do them any good… They should learn how to respect women from PM Narendra Modi… I am here… pic.twitter.com/9FnPXTmqN4
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2024
Surjewala claimed the video was edited, distorted and shared, while Malini said that it was their job as the opposition and that the UP CM had given a befitting reply.
The Congress replaced Shrinate as candidate from Maharajganj amid outrage over her remarks on Kangana Ranaut, BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi. An offensive post was put out from Shrinate’s Instagram account with a derogatory caption and a picture of Ranaut.
While Shrinate issued a clarification saying that the post was made by someone who had access to her account and the party apologised for it, Ranaut said that every woman deserved dignity.
