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President had asked him to apologise. “As a father, he (the President) also asked me what prompted you to say that. You are in public life and definitely it will create controversy. You must apologise. I said I have already done (so). My intention was not to hurt anyone. Not to undermine the agitation,” the MP said.
"Those who are coming in the name of students in the rallies, sundori, sundori mahila (beautiful women), highly dented and painted," Abhijit Mukherjee, an MP from Jangipur seat which the President had vacated before his election, told a vernacular news channel.
"Giving interviews in TV and showing off their children. I wonder whether they are students at all," he said, adding, "what's basically happening in Delhi is something like pink revolution, which has very little connection with ground realities."
As he came under attack for his "insensitive" remarks with even his sister Sharmistha expressing "utter shock and anguish" and apologising on his behalf, Mukherjee tendered an "unconditional apology" and offered to resign his Lok Sabha seat, if asked to do so by party and people. There were demands from women activists for his resignation.
He withdrew his comments and said they were not meant to hurt "any particular section or any particular sentiment".
"I withdraw those words which have hurt the sentiments of others. My intention was not to hurt and I apologise unconditionally to all the persons and all the cross-section of people in the society who got hurt by my utterance."
Offering his "sincere apology" to the people who have been hurt by his statement, Mukherjee said, "Had I knows that this would hurt so many people in so many ways, (I) may not have commented this."
Mukherjee also apologised to his father and Sharmistha, saying their sentiments too have been hurt by his words. He said the President had also asked him what prompted him to make such a statement.
Social activist Subhasini Ali termed the remarks as "atrocious" and "insulting" to women while noted actor Sharmila Tagore called it "very sexist".
CPI-M's Brinda Karat said the remark showed Abhijit's "sickening and perverted" mentality and asserted time has come for a code of conduct in the speech and behaviour of elected representatives. BJP also condemned the remarks.
Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit did not want to be drawn into a debate on the party MP's comment, saying these are all "individual remarks" and that the whole organisation cannot be "painted" for remarks of a few individuals.
Mukherjee also said women protesters go to discotheques and then join demonstrations.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan also disapproved of the remarks.
"We have to be extremely sensitive about what we say. All of us are deeply shocked and anguished," Chavan said reacting to a question about Mukherjee's remarks.
Stating that his father should not be "dragged" into any controversy over the episode, Mukherjee said, "I am an adult. I am not an under aged person. Why my father should be dragged in... I am responsible for my action."
"All stakeholders, including my father and sister, they also got embarrassed because of these utterances. Their sentiments has also been hurt. So apology to them also."
"As a father (President), he also asked me what prompted you to say that. You are in public life and definitely it will create controversy. You must apologise. I said I have already done. My intention was not to hurt anyone. Not to undermine the agitation," he said.
Asked to comment on women right activists demanding his resignation, Mukherjee said, "If they are from my constituency and it is the order of my party, definitely I will do that.
100 per cent... If people from Jangipur, who voted me. If they ask me. I will do that immediately. If Congress party and High Command wants it, I will do that."
Sharmistha told reporters in Hyderabad she was surprised at the remark and demanded an apology from her brother.
"Absolutely, he needs to apologise. As a woman, as a sister, definitely on his behalf I render my apoligies to everybody, every sensitive citizen of this country," she said.
"Not only as a President's son, but as any sensitive man, he should not have made this kind of statement. Forget about being a political leader, it shows a certain degree of insensitivity... My family is not like that," she said.
On whether her father would be embarrassed with Abhijit's remarks, Sharmistha said, "I am sure he will be. I can say that he also shares my view.... One thing is for sure that he (Pranab) does not agree with his (Abhijit) views. I am sure.
He (Abhijit) has made a statement and during our personal interactions, he expressed his anguish."
Jaya Jaitley said the women will not be "cowed down" by such comments and it will only add strength to the movement.
She said the comments have revealed the true mindset of the people.
On whether he had any idea that his comment will lead to such an uproar, he said he had used "slangs" which are generally spoken without intending to hurt anyone.
"Never. When we speak generally, these slangs no body minds. I had spoken in that spirit. Not to hurt anyone. Since it has been done, it can not be undone. That is why I officially withdraw and sincerely apologise to those people," he said.
Mukherjee also sought to explain the context of his remarks which he made on a vernacular news channel in West Bengal.
"I was asked by the reporters that what is your reaction about two people who have gone from Kolkata to take part in this agitation (in Delhi). My comment was, where were these two persons, what did they do when this Park Street rape happened... They did not even utter a single word," he said.
Prithviraj Chavan says Abhijit Mukherjee wrong
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today disapproved of the remarks by President Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit who described women participating in Delhi protests against gangrape of a student as 'highly dented and painted'.
"We have to be extremely sensitive about what we say. All of us are deeply shocked and anguished," Chavan said reacting to a question about Abhijit's remarks.
Abhijit Mukherjee, an MP from Jangipur, told a TV news channel that "those who are coming in the name of students in the rallies, sundori, sundori mahila (beautiful women), highly dented and painted".
Admitting that there are lapses in handling rape cases in states, Chavan said "we all have to do our bit to change the situation".
"In our respective states, we are taking steps to review. Things are not good (in all states). Lot of pending cases," said Chavan who reviewed the rape cases in Maharashtra with state Home Minister, Women and Child Minister and senior officials on Tuesday.
"What people really want is speedy justice. I don't know what parliament will decide about enhancing the punishment," he said on the sidelines of the National Development Council meeting here.
The Chief Minister said Maharashtra government has decided to set up fast-track courts in all parts of the state to ensure speedy justice in rape cases.
"What everybody should decide is that there should be speedy justice one way or the other. ...We are very very seriously concerned about this issue," he said.
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Two types of men in India...homosexuals that abuse women because they have no need for women other than to prove they are physically stronger and grossly more stupid. What can you expect from men that won't even eat beef?
MP Abhijit Mukherjee's statements (yes, he was on a roll) show how shallow a politicians he is. Whether the protesters are students or not has little to do with the gravity of the issue the nation faces today about women's place in Indian society. Does rape become a non-issue to Abhijit if men were protesting?
%u201CPathetic Statement by Abhijit Mukherjee%u201D Son of Honorable president of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee- Is he fit to become MP with this kind of mind set? Congress needs to give explanation what was the criteria of his selection. Hope not because of his pedigree alone? I think President of India, his father needs to clarify if he endorse/supports his sons view or not? Abhijit has not hurt sentiment but he has abused the all women and a simple apology is not enough. He must resign or his father must ask him to resign to restore family pride which is severely damaged by him, because such MPs, we must have power to recall them or they behave like untouchables.
although the president's son and sister may have apologised and taken back his words directed against women protesters in general but it does not absolve him as the very words that he uttered first proves his mcp,feudal,regressive mindset.its sad as he hails from a state where female deities are revered with fervour and not to forget about Raja Ram Mohan Roy's contribution to women's emancipation in his state and so many others. Mr. Mukherjee is "demented and passe".he needs to rejig his learning in life and not live in the 60's-70's of India.Do women protestors in India need to be humbly khadi clad,jhola carrying,chappal wearing grassroot activists only?
Politicians should spend some time educating themselves in the field of science, maths, arts, culture, defense, management and keep learning new things, shall be open to learning at all stages. If they do so, they will be able to pass on the intent of being an acceptable and responsible citizen to their kids. The illitracy now in India is reflected from Presidents home. Thats the limit. There are many certified illiterates, certified from corrupt educational institutions accross the country. The glass is full, the system is full of such ineligible people. This statement from this person who is son of pranab is talking like this. What pranab must have taught him? How can pranab allow such kind of thought process to be developed in his sons mind? This is small black matter at a high place seen. But the lower rungs are totally dark ... look at mayawati, laloo, modi, pawars, and all congress leaders, even those who dare to talk some sense why are they still with congress or similar parties
Abhijit mukerjee is a true flag bearer for the congress party and government at the center. They contemplate,ponder,muse, churn their nonexistent intellect, thinking faculty and then speak/blurt .Then take umbrage as misinterpreted. He has openly accepted that he did not know that he would hurt the sentiments of so many people with his talking. He simply does not know what hurts people and what does not, a typical elected representative. Citizens should ignore this calculated diversion.
WHY COMMENTING,BEING SON OF THE FIRST CITIZEN OF INDIA & MP,SHOULD CHECK WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING ABOUT.FIRST SAY THAN FEEL SORRY ,ITS REALLY BAD.IN DEMOCRACY ANY ONE CAN WEAR AND USE ANY THING IRRESPECTIVE OF CASTE ,CREED & CULTURE.ITS VERY PERSONAL THING.HE HAS COMMENTED WHEN HE HAS HIS OWN SISTER A CLASSICAL DANCER.
This government needs to be kicked out of power. A bunch of shameless, corrupt, insensitive, and utterly incompetent people have grasped the power. I get the feeling that the victim (the girl) has died. The government has shifted her body in a clandestine fashion to avoid facing public outcry. Family of the victim have also been gagged by the Government. Media is managed or subdued by Manish Tiwari, who is competing with Digvijay Singh in churning out the shit. Let's unite and throw this Government. Takht gira do. Lawlessness is absolute. Let's make Vijay Chowk our Tahreer Square. Yun hi hamesha zulm se ulajhti rahi hai khalq, na unki rasm nayi hai na apni reet nayi. Let's take a pledge to teach these corrupt politicians a lesson. It's not case of a single woman. Delhi has become rape capital. Shame on Dixit Government, who keeps passing the buck saying Delhi Police is under Center's control. But then Central Government is also your own Party. Can't you put a word to your own comrades?
it just shows that we have a leader who could not sow good thinking and good ethics in his children, is being called the president who represent all the indians..what a shame ...this country is tn to dogs.
children are nothing but true reflection of their upbringing,they behave,they talk and they think in that manner.father of this m.p. who happens to be president of our wretched country,if at all he have sense of responsibility then must quit immediately.
it is very sad to hear such comments from pranabs son he must appologise to the nation at large and the protestors in particular for such comments and give an undertaking not to use such a language in future. Infact his sister too has been upset naturally any lady would be upset at such comments. Actually pranab must ask his son to appologise unconditionally. His son has made a real joke of the whole thing and made it look so trivial and as if all the protestors who are out on the street are bought by the poor girl who is battling for life in the hospital. we must make a social bycott of such politicians and he must be debarred from politics for life. what will he talk for us in the parliament when he has such a bend of mind. this is rather very disturbing situation and must be curbed now otherwise things will go out of hand. Abhijeet must come out and appologise. appology is what we demand and nothing short of that. only an appology can serve as a balm on the wound inflicted
Mr Abhijit be sensitive towards the girls who are suffering.God made u a human being in form of male...thank to him and do respect other gender equally.Even you have female members at home. Think twice and make such a comment..
Do not fall for these time wasting traps,Beware of planted diversions.aim to get swiftest punishment for the culprits in one month max( minus 1 week gone by)for the gang rape in delhi,and by extention to all states/territories of india ,through consititutional/statutory bills enacted.No body has ever claimed that the outburst/protest is only by college girls.in any case it is simply reminding the government of its normal responsibility,though govt would like to paint it as special . Even normal duty becomes extraordinary for this incompetent govt at the center,delhi ,and police in delhi/india.
Abhijeet has shown the courage to call a spade a spade. Granted that rape is a heinous crime and perpetrators must always be dealt with all possible means. However, where were these women when in 1991 at Kunan Pospora Indian Army gang raped nearly 100 Kashmiri women? Where were these protesters when in 2004 Manorma Devi was gang raped by Assam Rifles? Where were these protesters when in 2009 Kashmiri women Neelofar Jan and Asiya Jan were raped by CRPF? Do they know who is Iron Shrmila? Why and where she is sitting on Satyagrha? Did they ever ask the Gujaratis who have voted Modi, the count of women raped in Gujarat in 2002? Selective sympathy is no sympathy but simply it gives one self some sense of importance or boost one's ego. How can we be so heartless as to ignore that a policeman on duty died because he couldn't withstand the violent psychological pressure of protest. Now we play the blame game of heart attack or internal injuries. It is hypocrisy and Abhijeet is exposing it.
Islam brought to India the veil system and disrespect to women. What else can one expect from followers of a religion whose Prophet endorsed polygamy, paedophile and sex, at times forced, with other women. This reign of Islamic barbarism & libido-glorification in the name of Allah has to be countered, with force if need be.
Children are mirror of their parents, Like father, like son. Mukkru is one of the most corrupt and Domestic Traitor President, India had ever. Being corrupt has all details of Black Money of corrupt, Looter, Traitor congressies and black mailed so called sonia to make him President. Mukrru did a secret deal by be fooling the common man with Swiss Govt. not to disclose the names of Congress Traitors Corrupt congress is born to loot India and F U C K poor people, White wash corrupt congress from the map of India, if at all Hard working, poor people dreaming of better future,
its always the fault of a woman? right Mr. MCP?????? we should not wear this and that.... we should not move out.... we should be the puppets in the hands of u such low grade idiots..... right? why the hell are we making our country another taliban? why cant we make it another dubai? where all can move freely till 3 am.... without fear... cause the laws are there to protect the citizens...... why curb our freedom?????? and we call our country democratic? ha!
join with Sh Abhijeet reg chamchas etc.Clearly he has tried to please high command. we may see him promoted to party's press team with Tiwari/D'sing/Singhavi
Mr. first child of the nation (son of first citizen)....please do not apologize now...are we going to spare the rapists if they apologizes now?? if the answer is NO then why do you think people of India would spare you? You have done nothing lesser than the rapists... So just keep barking and do not apologize Okay? coz that's not gonna give you back any respect.....disgusting freak!!!!
Does not Abhijit have a sister,daughter ,wife or a mother? What would be his reaction if his wife ,sister or daughter would have been brutally raped?! Shame on you Abhijit!! You are an upper caste & class person,what would you know of how the average Indian lives!! I am ASHAMED to call myself an Indian living in Australia!!
Well Said, Majority of the people who are protesting are the ones who are not aware of what really going on, just to avenge and bring damage to public properties, see the pics during the protest. If the have real guts and proper concern for that girl then they should hunt and kill those people who committed the rape, instead they are fighting the Cops and damaging public properties.
You are favouring police and poilicians responsible for beating women at India Gate. You can not be a true Indian.
Well said. Nowadays it has become a fashion to come on roads with candles.Neither the youth know the reality nor they are helping govt. in solving the issue.And the result was death of innocent constable.
I think Abhijeet was misquoted..he was actually talking about his dented and painted father i.e. shameless,arrogant and unfortunate President.
He has not learnt anything from his father, the best Statesman, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. Except for an unfortunate exit from Congress for a brief period, Pranabda devoted his heart and soul for the country. We had seen his face and words during the Mumbai terror attack, asking Pakistan to take tough action against their nationals who undertook the task. Had Abhijit had the fraction of his father's intelligence and wisdom, leave alone culture, he would not have made such statement and that too, when representing his father's constituency as a Member of Parliament. He should know that in Bengal culture, ladies first then men and he must certainly be facing that superiority at home unless he has the courage and boldness of 'Naxalbari'. Congress must condemn his words.
surprised on the comments coming from the first family, Ask this idiot if he will say the same things if his sister had to undergo the ode real. GOD this man is a joke and a very insult to his parents
Mr. Abhijeet Mukherjee, Does it make any difference whether a protester is a student of a married woman? Does our Constitution make some difference between the modesty of a female student and married woman?
