Sexist remark by coal minister upsets Congress; Sriprakash Jaiswal says he was quoted ‘out of context’

October 2, 2012   ·   0 Comments

NEW DELHI

Coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal has set off angry reactions after he said that a wife after a few years of marriage becomes less attractive. The Congress party, apparently after instructions from its top leadership, has asked Mr Jaiswal for an explanation. 

He has apologised, but defended his statement, telling that it was “very easy to delete words” from a recording and suggested a conspiracy.

Comparing India’s Sunday win over Pakistan at the World T20 to a marriage at a poetry meet at  a girls’ college in Kanpur on Sunday night, Mr Jaiswal said in Hindi: “Nayi nayi jeet aur nayi nayi shaadi, iska apna alag mahatva hota hai… jaise jaise samay beetega..jeet ki yaadein purani hoti jayegi; jaise jaise samay beet ta hai, patni purani hoti chali jati hai, vo maza nahi rehta hai.” Loosely translated, he said that like a new victory, like a new marriage has its own importance, but as times passes, a victory and a wife lose their charm.

While speaking , he said that he has no problem apologising to anyone but his statement must be taken in the context of the poetry reading he was attending. “There is humour, satire in akavi sammelan, it must be seen in that context,” he said defending his words, saying that the media was showing his statements out of context. Asked if he thought his comparison was justified, Mr Jaiswal said that he is a member of the Congress, which “respects women, mothers, sisters”.

The coal minster told today, “It is very easy to delete words, it has been done deliberately. I don’t want to comment on those who are adding a political colour to it. However, I will like to tell the people of this country that if I have even remotely hurt their sentiments, I apologise. I will never hurt the sentiments of women.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, “Since Mr Jaiswal has explained and apologised, the matter should rest there.”

The BJP jumped at the opportunity, with party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman saying that Mr Jaiswal‘s words showed “how low the Congress can sink”. The party also asked for his resignation.

There were protests against Mr Jaiswal in his constituency Kanpur as well, where he had made the statement.

By Web Editor

Tags: coal, Congress, marriage, minister, Mr Jaiswal, Sriprakash Jaiswal