Controversial former Delhi South MP Ramesh Bidhuri, earlier widely condemned for hurling Islamophobic slurs in the Parliament, and now a candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, has once again ignited controversy with remarks directed at two prominent women political figures: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
During a rally, Bidhuri made a statement comparing the quality of roads in his constituency to “Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks,” a comment that has been widely criticised as sexist and derogatory. This remark echoes a similar statement made by former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav about actress Hema Malini, which Bidhuri referenced in his defence. Additionally, he targeted Atishi by suggesting she had “changed her father,” referring to her decision to drop her surname, Marlena, in favour of Singh, which he claimed reflects the character of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
These comments have drawn sharp rebukes from both the Congress and AAP, with leaders from both parties accusing Bidhuri of perpetuating an anti-women mindset and calling for accountability from the BJP. In response to the backlash, Bidhuri expressed regret, stating that his comments were misconstrued and that he did not intend to offend anyone.
The political climate surrounding these remarks is particularly charged as the Delhi Assembly elections approach, with both AAP and Congress leveraging the controversy to highlight issues of respect and treatment of women in politics.
Jargon
- Ramesh Bidhuri: A senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) known for his controversial remarks and political rhetoric, currently contesting in the Delhi Assembly elections.
- Atishi: The current Chief Minister of Delhi from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), previously known by her surname Marlena, which she dropped to avoid communal identity politics.
- Priyanka Gandhi: A prominent Congress leader and Member of Parliament, often seen as a key figure in the party’s efforts to regain influence in Indian politics.
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): A political party in India that emerged from the anti-corruption movement, currently in power in Delhi.
- BJP: Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India, known for its right-wing policies and Hindu nationalist stance.
Viewpoints 💭
‘Left’ Viewpoint
Ideological Differences
‘Right’ Viewpoint
- The left criticises Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks as reflective of a misogynistic mindset within the BJP, highlighting a pattern of disrespect towards women in politics.
- They emphasise the need for accountability from the BJP leadership, demanding apologies and action against Bidhuri for his derogatory comments.
- The left views Bidhuri’s remarks as indicative of the BJP’s alleged anti-women stance, questioning the party’s ability to ensure women’s safety and dignity.
- They argue that such comments undermine the progress towards gender equality and call for a united stand against misogyny in political discourse.
- The left highlights the emotional impact of Bidhuri’s remarks on Atishi, criticising the personal nature of the attacks and accusing the BJP of using low-level tactics for political gain.
- The left views Bidhuri’s remarks as a reflection of the BJP’s anti-women mindset, while the right sees the backlash as politically motivated and emphasises Bidhuri’s regret.
- While the left demands accountability and action against Bidhuri, the right highlights similar past remarks by opposition leaders to argue for consistency in outrage.
- The left focuses on the emotional impact of Bidhuri’s comments on Atishi, accusing the BJP of personal attacks, whereas the right defends Bidhuri by suggesting his words were misconstrued.
- The left criticises the BJP’s ability to ensure women’s safety, while the right emphasises the need for respectful language and points to the opposition’s past failures.
- The left uses the controversy to highlight broader issues of misogyny in politics, whereas the right argues that the opposition is using the incident for political gain.
- The right defends Ramesh Bidhuri by referencing similar past remarks by other politicians, suggesting that the outrage is politically motivated.
- They argue that Bidhuri’s comments were misconstrued and taken out of context, emphasising his subsequent expression of regret.
- The right criticises the opposition for selective outrage, pointing out past instances of objectionable remarks by Congress leaders.
- They maintain that the BJP does not tolerate disrespectful statements against women and emphasise the importance of respectful language in politics.
- The right suggests that the controversy is being used by the opposition to divert attention from their own failures and to gain political mileage ahead of the elections.
Prominent Voices 📣
From the ‘Left’
From the ‘Right’
- Atishi (Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader): Accused BJP of promoting an anti-women mentality and urged voters to respond to such remarks in the elections.
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- Arvind Kejriwal (AAP National Convener): Criticised Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks as indecent and disrespectful towards women, urging Delhi’s women to respond strongly in the elections.
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- Shashi Tharoor (Congress MP): Stressed the importance of mutual respect in politics and criticised Bidhuri’s remarks as petty.
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- Sanjay Singh (AAP MP): Condemned Bidhuri’s remarks as offensive and questioned the safety of women under BJP’s leadership.
- Supriya Shrinate (Congress leader): Condemned Bidhuri’s remarks as shameful and reflective of BJP’s anti-women mentality, demanding an apology from BJP leadership.
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- Alka Lamba (Congress candidate from Kalkaji and Mahila Congress President): Criticised Bidhuri for using indecent language against women and demanded a public apology, questioning his respect for women.
- Pawan Khera (Congress leader): Criticised BJP for reflecting RSS values through such remarks and demanded accountability.
- Priyanka Kakkar (AAP Spokesperson): Criticised Bidhuri’s remarks as disrespectful towards women and predicted his electoral defeat.
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- Sushmita Dev (Former Congress MP): Highlighted Bidhuri’s history of sexist language and called for change.
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- Ajay Maken (Congress Leader): Described Bidhuri’s statement as shameful and indicative of a disrespectful culture towards women within BJP.
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- Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP leader and candidate from Kalkaji): Expressed regret for his remarks, citing a historical context involving Lalu Yadav, and offered to retract his words if they caused offense.
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- Kamaljeet Sehrawat (BJP MP): Emphasised the need for politicians to think before speaking and maintain respect for women.
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- Virendra Sachdeva (Delhi BJP Chief): Emphasised the importance of respectful language towards women and criticised Congress for past similar remarks.
- Praveen Shankar Kapoor (Delhi BJP Media Department Head): Advised against making personal comments and suggested Atishi address her father’s past support for Afzal Guru.
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Sources 📚
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India Today – Shedding crocodile tears: Ramesh Bidhuri on Atishi breaking down over his jibe
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The Hindu – BJP MP Bidhuri draws flak for ‘sexist’ remarks against Atishi, Priyanka Gandhi
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NDTV – After Comment On Priyanka Gandhi, BJP Leader’s Jibe At Atishi Sparks Row
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Mint – Ramesh Bidhuri ignites another row, says Delhi CM Atishi ‘changed her father’ after sexist jibe at Priyanka Gandhi | Today News
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Free Press Journal – Atishi Changed Her… BJP Leader Ramesh Bidhuris Sparks Another Controversy Amid Row Over His Sexist Remark
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The Economic Times – ‘Petty’: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor responds to Bidhuri’s ‘controversial’ remarks on Priyanka Gandhi
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The Hindu – Ramesh Bidhuri expresses regret over his ‘roads like Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks’ remark
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NDTV – BJP Leader Ramesh Bidhuri’s Sexist Remark On Priyanka Gandhi Sparks Row
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The Times of India – Will Election Commission take action against BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri for his remarks against Priyanka Gandhi
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Scroll.in – BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks about Priyanka Gandhi, Delhi CM Atishi spark row
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Mint – ‘Priyanka Gandhi ke gaalon jaisi…’: BJP Kalkaji candidate Ramesh Bidhuri’s remark goes viral, Congress demands apology | Mint
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India Today – Roads like Priyanka Gandhi’s cheeks: BJP leader’s sexist jibe, Congress hits back
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India TV News – Ramesh Bidhuri’s remark against Delhi CM Atishi sparks row after comment on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
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The Times of India – ‘Atishi changed her father’: After Priyanka comment, BJP’s Bidhuri lands in more trouble; ‘shameless’, sa
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Mint – Delhi Elections: 5 times BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri triggered row with his offensive remarks – from Priyanka Gandhi to Atishi | Mint
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News18 – Priyanka’s Cheeks to Atishi’s Father: Motormouth Ramesh Bidhuri Embarrasses BJP
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HW News English – BJP Leader Ramesh Bidhuri Apologizes After The ‘Sexist’ Remark On Priyanka Gandhi, CM Atishi Marlena
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Deccan Herald – Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 | BJP disapproves of Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks on Priyanka Gandhi, Atishi
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ETV Bharat – Ramesh Bidhuri Expresses Regret As Row Erupts Over His ‘Roads Like Priyanka Gandhi’s Cheeks’ Remarks
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The Week – Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks at election meetings spark controversy Cong AAP call BJP ‘anti-women’
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Vartha Bharati – BJP disapproves of Bidhuri’s remarks on Priyanka, Atishi
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ThePrint – BJP disapproves of Bidhuri’s remarks on Priyanka, Atishi
