CEC warns against derogatory remarks after 'imported maal' comment row
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar has strongly condemned the derogatory remarks made against women during the Maharashtra election campaign, ANI reported. Addressing a review meeting of officials via videoconference with election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Kumar criticized insulting and undignified remarks directed at female politicians and urged officials to take action in such cases. The meeting was attended by police commissioners, police superintendents, district election officers, municipal commissioners, and returning officers.
CEC Kumar's instructions to officials
Kumar also stressed that political parties should refrain from actions repugnant to women's honor. He directed officials to ensure immediate action against any disrespectful comments violating the election code. The CEC said it hoped candidates would conduct themselves with dignity in public interactions and speeches. He reiterated no part of private life unrelated to public activities should be criticized and asked officials to act against those making "low-level" personal attacks.
Controversial remarks spark CEC's response
The CEC's statement came after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant's controversial remarks about Shiv Sena candidate Shaina NC. Sawant had called Shaina "imported maal," triggering a controversy. Shaina lodged a formal complaint against Sawant at Nagpada police station in Mumbai and took to social media, saying, "Mahila hoon, maal nahi" (I'm a woman, not goods/material). Prime Minister Narendra Modi also slammed leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance for making derogatory comments about women.
