Bharatiya Janata Party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s comment to TV channels that some women with “lipstick and powder on their face” were indulging in demonstrations and abusing politicians following the Mumbai attack has landed him in soup. Naqvi’s remarks have caused an outrage. Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natrajan said, “I condemn Naqvi’s insensitive remarks. It is unfortunate there is so much anger against politicians, but we do understand the rightful hurt and anger being expressed by people.”

Naqvi had said: “Some women wearing lipstick and powder have taken to the streets in Mumbai and are abusing politicians spreading dissatisfaction against democracy. This is what terrorists are doing in J&K. Instead of saying Pakistan murdabad, they are saying politician murdabad”.

The BJP, however, distanced itself from Naqvi’s comments. Senior general secretary Arun Jaitley said that though Naqvi is entitled to his own beliefs, “the people have the right to be angry and their anger cannot be doused by confrontation but by taking tough measures against terrorism”.

Party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy also sought to down play Naqvi’s statement.