Mulayam Singh Yadav suggested on Tuesday that Parliament would be full of the sort of women who attract catcalls and whistles if the Women’s Reservation Bil was passed, sparking censure from across the political spectrum.
<b1>“What can I say about the kind of women who will enter
Parliament,” Yadav said. “The wives and daughters of officers and businessmen, who invite whistles from boys.”
The Congress, BJP, BSP and Communist Party of India-Marxist slammed the Samajwadi Party chief for his remarks.
“If you can’t respect women, don’t insult them,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said. While senior CPM leader Brinda Karat demanded an apology, BJP said the comment was in bad taste.
Uttar Pradesh’s ruling BSP also called the comments irresponsible. “SP president’s comment shows his decadent mindset,” said state president Swami Prasad Maurya.