As Uttar Pradesh prepares itself for the 2nd phase of elections that will take place on the 18th of April, candidates contesting from the state cannot be kept away from engaging in tirades against each other. Known for stoking controversies, senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan sparked a fresh row after making disgusting comments against his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rival Jaya Prada. 

What did he say?

“For 10 years the person sucked the blood of Rampur, I held that person’s finger and brought the person to Rampur. I made her familiar with the streets of Rampur. I didn’t let anyone touch her. No dirty words were used. People of India couldn’t understand her in 17 years, but it took me 17 days to understand that she wears khaki coloured underwear,” Khan had said.

The Khaki colour was asserted to establish her connection with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

SHOCKING statement by Aazam Khan, a new low in Indian politics. Senior Samajwadi Party leader Aazam Khan says Jaya Prada ke neeche ka underwear Khaki rang ka hai.

"उसकी असलियत समझने में आपको 17 वर्ष लगे, मैं 17 दिन में पहचान गया की उसके नीचे का जो अंडरवियर है वो खाकी रंग का है" pic.twitter.com/fPhE9qoJvb

— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) April 14, 2019

He further said that he was mentioning a man who had brought 150 rifles to shoot him dead. Backing his own story he further said, “Short is worn by men”. He also condemned the media for misinterpreting his statement.

Reactions to the comment 

She further added that a person like Azam should not be allowed to contest elections. She expressed her concern about the democracy of the country if Azam wins the election. 

Last week, Prada had alleged SP for circulating her indecent picture to cast aspersion to her political career. She further purported that several attempts of acid attack against her were made.

NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma alleged that the SP leader has a history of making derogatory remarks against women. She asked the Election Commission to take strict action against him and the commission has sent a notice to Khan for his remark.

National Commission for Women (NCW) sends a notice to SP leader Azam Khan over his remark ‘main 17 din mein pehchan gaya ki inke niche ka underwear khaki rang ka hai’, he made in Rampur (UP) yesterday. pic.twitter.com/q1l5uqJ4w2

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2019

Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj drew an analogy from Mahabharata when Draupadi was being disrobed and Bhisma Pitamah kept mum. Swaraj requested SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav not to make the same mistake of staying silent and take action against Khan.

मुलायम भाई – आप पितामह हैं समाजवादी पार्टी के. आपके सामने रामपुर में द्रौपदी का चीर हरण हो रहा हैं. आप भीष्म की तरह मौन साधने की गलती मत करिये. @yadavakhilesh Smt.Jaya Bhaduri, Mrs.Dimple Yadav.pic.twitter.com/FNO5fM4Hkc

— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 15, 2019

Azam’s history of making controversial comments

In 2016, speaking about the Bulandshahr gangrape case, Khan had dubbed the heinous crime as a political conspiracy to malign the Uttar Pradesh government. Similarly, in 2015, the SP leader had courted controversy when he attributed the increasing number of rape cases to mobile phones.

The Logical Indian take

As the elections approach, we hope our politicians to be in best of their behaviour so they get votes. But it seems politicians are competing this Lok Sabha election to stoop as low as possible in comparison to others. A few are competing on communal statements and a few on making sexist & misogynistic remarks. Azam Khan is currently topping the list on making the worst sexist remarks this election and it is yet to see if SP will take any action against him or not.

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