Mumbai: Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil Friday said the controversy surrounding his party colleague Ram Kadam's remarks against women should end as the latter has apologised.
Patil also advised public representatives saying they need to exercise caution while speaking.
"Ram Kadam has apologised and the issue should now end. Kadam does not have a history of speaking ill about women. On the contrary, he is known for helping women immensely. Thousands of women in his constituency tie him rakhi every year," Patil told a Marathi news channel.
"Public representatives should be extremely cautious while speaking and they should properly frame every sentence in their heads before uttering them," the minister added.
He said news channels should also try to show the true meaning of what has been spoken.
"But if what the channels are saying about the remarks is right, the public representative should apologise. In this case, Ram Kadam was not arrogant and he apologised...So the matter should come to an end," Patil said.
Kadam, while speaking at an event during dahi handi celebrations in the city, had said he would 'kidnap' a girl a boy likes even if she says no to the proposal.
"You (youngsters) can meet me for any work," he could be seen telling the young crowd in the video clip.
Kadam also said that he got requests from youngsters to help them after girls rejected their proposals. He was also heard sharing his mobile number with the crowd.
His remarks created a huge controversy as it drew sharp reactions from the opposition parties, Shiv Sena and women's organisations. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women issued a notice to Kadam over his remark.
In a video message issued Wednesday, Kadam expressed regret over his remarks saying, "I have very high regard for women. Without giving any explanation about the video clip (of his controversial remarks), I express my regret."
He also tweeted saying, "By doctoring my statements, my political rivals created an atmosphere which has hurt the sentiments of our mothers and sisters. I have already expressed regret over my comments and am once again tendering an apology to all."
Shiv Sena lashes out, calls Kadam 'Khilji'
The Shiv Sena Friday likened Ram Kadam to Alauddin Khilji, the 13th century Sultan of Delhi, for his now infamous 'kidnap' remark. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party also questioned the BJP's silence over the controversial remarks of its leader.
The Sena said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was keen on giving 'justice' to Muslim women in triple talaq, in Maharashtra the MLAs of his party were creating panic among the women of the state.
"Queen Padmini committed 'jauhar' along with thousands of other Rajput women to protect their honour, prestige and religion. Their 'jauhar' against Alauddin Khilji and his tyranny is still inspiring women in India. But it seems time has come for the women in Maharashtra to commit 'jauhar' against the BJP's Khilji," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
"BJP MLA Ram Kadam, who is the chief minister's favourite, uttered derogatory words against women that showed his arrogance. What kind of hedonistic culture has landed in Maharashtra?" it asked.
