Delhi rape protests: Cong lets off Abhijit with apology

New Delhi, Dec 28: On its 127th Foundation Day the Congress party can at least do something symbolic and issue a statement condemning the statement of its Member of Parliament Abhijit Mukherjee.

Instead, the party that had a woman prime minister as its leader, chose to make light of Mukherjee's remark that women protesting against rape were "dented-painted". The party said on Friday since he has apologised for his remark that and there was no scope for action against him.

"He has realised it himself and apologised. Where is the scope for action," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters. The question one should ask is when did he realise his folly? It was only after the media and the public grilled him and told him about basics of proper behaviour towards women.

By letting off Abhijit Mukherjee the Congress is showing its own non-serious attitude towards issues affecting women in India and also arrogantly ignoring the sentiments of large section of people.

The controversy had erupted on Thursday after Abhijit Mukherjee, the son of President Pranab Mukherjee and MP from Jangipur in West Bengal, was quoted as telling a TV channel on Christmas: "Those who claim to be students - I can see many beautiful women among them, they were highly dented-painted - they're giving interviews on TV, they've brought their children to show them the scenes."

He later issued an "unconditional apology".

The comments led to outrage from various quarters, including from his sister Sharmishtha who expressed "utter shock and anguish" at the remarks.

But the Indian democracy is not going to forgive him easily. Abhijit is still trending at the top of twitter comments and being subjected to all kinds of online jeering.

Leah Schlegel (@leahschlegel) from Columbus, Ohio, US, says 'Happy that Abhijit Mukherjee is still trending at #1. Shows that the public doesn't suffer from a goldfish memory span after all.'

India's top industrialist Kiran Majumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) tweeted: If Abhijit Mukherji has any sense of dignity left, he should resign. No MP can get away with such statements.

Other tweets:

Paramjeet Singh ‏(@PrmjtS) : Abhijit Mukherjee apologizes not because he realized he was wrong, but because he had "hurt' the sentiments of people.

Ishaan Mohan Bagga (‏@indianexponent): Why not arrest him like Palgarh Girls & S. Ravi? Hasn't he hurt sentiments? Does Abhijit Mukherjee has unofficial immunity?

Anuj Tela ‏(@Anuj_Tela) : Abhijit Mukherjee - the NATIONAL SHAME - its sad people like him are the lawmakers of this country.

Theek Hai (‏@GhantaTheekHai) : Girls were facing water cannons, tear gas shells, lathis and Abhijit Mukherjee could only see their pretty faces ...... nothing else?

Rishabh M Jain ‏(@ItsRishabhJain) : Shame on the nation. "painted and dented" aren't words you use. they really have a sickening meaning.

Debratna Nag ‏(@debratnanag) : First Abhijit Mukherjee, then Anisur Rahman and now Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. Sexism is really getting competitive here in Bengal!

Dr_Hemant ‏(@Sai_Ki_Artist) : Why parental guidance is important at all ages? Ans- Abhijit Mukherjee.

Dr.T.K.Nair ‏(@DrTKrishnanNair) : It would have been a wonderful gesture had the Congress party asked Abhijit Mukherjee to resign . He apologised only when he was cornered.

OneIndia News