Tejpal, Ganguly effect: Farooq Abdullah scared of women colleagues!

New Delhi, Dec 6:

, Union New and Renewable Energy Minister, once again made headlines with his latest sexist remark in which he said that men, including he himself, are scared of women colleagues.

Abdullah's statement seems to be an aftereffect of ongoing controversy over former Editor-in-chief of Tehelka -- Tarun Tejpal and Justice AK Ganguly and their alleged involvements in two different sexual assault cases. In both cases, the two men have been accused of sexually assaulting their women colleagues.

Citing the present scenario, Farooq Abdullah said, "I'm scared to talk to a woman these days. I don't even want to keep a female secretary. Who knows, I might end up in jail because of a complaint."

I'm scared to talk to a woman. I don't even want to keep a female secretaries

"No, I'm not blaming the girls, I'm blaming the society itself. The society has reached this point where now after one direction, it's putting pressure on everyone," he added before heading towards Parliament on Friday, Dec 6.

His statement irked many women including Former Indian Police Service Officer Kiran Bedi who called Abdullah a "insecured man". Bedi was quoted as saying, "Men who are sure of themselves will not make such comments. Those who are insecure make such statements."

BJP MP Smriti Irani also criticised Abdullah saying, "It's a very inappropriate comment, especially to be made on the steps of Parliament, indicating that women are only to be hired so that they can be called up unfavourably or they can be demeaned."

"A senior political leader should at least understand that this is a sensitive issue and should not give any kind of indication that if women speak for their rights at the workplace, then that is a sign of danger for men and their rights," she added.

Meanwhile, Farooq Abdullah's son and Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "I'm sure the attempt wasn't to trivialise important issue of women's security so I hope dad apologises for the misplaced attempt at humour."

Facing criticism from across the country, the senior Abdullah finally apologised for his sexist remark against women.

OneIndia News