Salman Khan's reply irks central, state women's panels

New Delhi/Mumbai, June 29: Bollywood actor Salman Khan's reply to notices by women's panels over his "raped woman" simile has not gone down well with either the National Commission for Women (NCW) or the Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC).

While the NCW has found the actor's reply to its notice "unapologetic", the state women's panel rejected his reply and has summoned him in person on July 7.

"Salman Khan has replied to our notice. We are not going to reveal the contents of the letter, it would suffice to say that the letter does not sound apologetic," NCW Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam told IANS.

Salman filed the reply through his lawyers and according to sources, the "tone and tenor" of the letter is "legalese".

In his letter dated June 28 to the Maharashtra state Women's Commission (MSWC) -- submitted through his lawyer -- Salman said that since the matter is already before the National Commission for Women, it should not be continued with the MSWC to avoid duplication.

But the state women's panel does not agree with Salman's contention.

"We have concurrent powers just the way the NCW has. This matter can be heard at the state level too. Therefore, his version is invalid," said MSWC Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.

She said the actor has been summoned on July 7 at the MSWC office along with his lawyers.

"We have asked him to put forth his views in an affidavit," Rahatkar added.

During a media interaction last week, Salman said he "felt like a raped woman" after shooting for a gruelling wrestling sequence for his upcoming film, "Sultan". He plays a wrestler in the film.

When Salman was asked how difficult it was to shoot wrestling scenes for the movie, he said: "While shooting during those six hours, there was so much of lifting and thrusting that it was unbelievable. If I was lifting a 120 kg person and dropping him down, I had to do it 10 times."

"(I did it) 10 times from five different angles. So, six-and-half or seven hours. Either, I was picking him and throwing (him) or else, he was picking me up and throwing me... So it was like the most difficult thing."

"When I used to walk out of the ring, I used to feel actually like a raped woman walking out... I couldn't take steps," he added.

Women's groups have protested the remark and demanded an apology. The actor's father, Salim Khan, has apologised on behalf of his son.

"Udoubtedly what Salman said was wrong...but his intention was not wrong," Salim Khan said on Twitter last week, and added, "I apologise on behalf of his family and friends... to err is human, but to forgive divine."

IANS