Haryana Women's Commission Summons Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala For Comments Against BJP's Hema Malini

For his objectionable and controversial comments against BJP MP Hema Malini, senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala was summoned by the Haryana Women's Commission on Thursday. Addressing a public meeting, Surjewala had said that people elect MPs and MLAs to serve them, they are not Hema Malini who is picked to 'lick' only. Surjewala's comments sparked a row and was widely criticised. The video clip of his speech was shared by BJP IT cell in charge Amit Malviya on X, formerly Twitter, after which, action has been initiated against the Congress leader.

According to the reports, the Haryana Women's Commission has asked Surjewala to appear before the commission on April 9 to keep his side on the matter.

Amit Malviya's post reads: "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. He asks, 'Why do we make MLA? So that they can raise their voice, and get our views accepted. Is there any Hema Malini who is made to lick?' Who thinks of women as something to lick? That is the most disgusting description someone can come up with. Just the other day, Surjewala's colleague was asking the 'rate' of another BJP woman leader, and now this... This is Rahul Gandhi's Congress. It is misogynistic and abhors women."

Soon after, the controversy hit the headlines, Surjewala issued a clarification saying the video was chopped in between as he had also said that he respects Hema Malini.

"We also respect Hema Malini a lot because she is married to Dharmendra ji and is our daughter-in-law," the Congress leader can be heard in another full speech video.

Reacting to the controversy, veteran actor and two times BJP MP Hema Malini said Congress leaders are only trying to "target popular faces because targeting the unpopular ones won't do them any good", adding Congress leaders should learn Prime Minister Modi 'how to respect women'.