A political storm has brewed in Jharkhand ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, sparked by comments made by Congress Minister Irfan Ansari about BJP leader Sita Soren. The remarks, reportedly made after Ansari submitted his nomination papers for the Jamtara constituency, have drawn widespread criticism. Sita Soren, who is running against Ansari in the elections, became emotional as she recalled the incident.
"Mr. Ansari has been targeting me ever since I announced my candidacy for this seat. However, the derogatory remarks he made after filing his nomination are completely unacceptable. They are an insult to the women of the tribal community. The tribal people will not forgive him for this," Soren said, visibly shaken. "Since my husband is no longer alive, he [Ansari]..." she said, her voice breaking as she struggled to finish.
Sita Soren, the wife of Durga Soren, the eldest son of JMM leader Shibu Soren, joined the BJP earlier this year after a family dispute regarding the Chief Minister's position. This fallout followed Hemant Soren's resignation from the post and his subsequent arrest in a money laundering case.
As Sita Soren struggled to hold back tears, BJP’s Nawada MP Vivek Thakur, who was present at the time, tried to comfort her. In response to Ansari’s comments, Thakur condemned them and stated that the BJP would hold protests not only in Jamtara but across Jharkhand.
On October 26, 2024, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) took note of Ansari's remarks and issued a notice to the Jharkhand government, asking for a report within three days.
Alka Lamba, the head of Mahila Congress, also condemned Ansari’s comments, emphasizing that such statements have no place in politics. Lamba called for legal action, citing that Congress governments in various states have implemented strict laws to combat crimes against women. She said, "Whether it's a member of our party or not, crime should be treated as a crime. If someone makes verbal attacks or causes physical harm, the law should take its course, as it has after the Nirbhaya incident." Lamba stressed that the Congress party does not support such behavior, condemning it strongly and calling for legal action. She assured that the party would ensure fair action once a new government is formed.
In response, the Jharkhand BJP filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission against Ansari, accusing him of insulting both the tribal community and widows. The BJP requested that the Commission prevent Ansari from filing his nomination and called for a criminal case to be filed against him.
Sita Soren shared a video of the controversial remarks on social media platform X, demanding an apology from Ansari.
हेमंत सोरेन, एक आदिवासी महिला जो रिश्ते में आपकी भाभी हैं, आपके स्वर्गवासी बड़े भाई की धर्म पत्नी हैं उनके खिलाफ ऐसी अभद्र भाषा का प्रयोग करने वालों का आपका मौन समर्थन शर्मनाक है।
जो व्यक्ति आपकी भाभी मां के स्वाभिमान की रक्षा नहीं कर सकता वो झारखंड की बहन-बेटियों की क्या रक्षा… pic.twitter.com/scWc0AOwxq
— BJP JHARKHAND (@BJP4Jharkhand) October 27, 2024
The Congress party, which frequently highlights its commitment to women's empowerment, has found itself under scrutiny following this controversy. Critics argue that some party members treat women merely as a vote bank, disregarding their dignity and rights. Despite advocating for slogans like "I am a girl, I can fight," there appears to be a failure to truly respect women’s roles, as evidenced by these remarks.
The Jharkhand BJP also took aim at Chief Minister Hemant Soren, saying, "Hemant Soren, it is shameful that you remain silent while your sister-in-law, an Adivasi woman, is insulted by your party members. If a man cannot protect the dignity of his sister-in-law, how can he defend the rights of Jharkhand's daughters and sisters?"
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the BJP's election in-charge for Jharkhand, commented, "Those who claim to promote love are merchants of hatred. They insult mothers, sisters, and daughters every day." Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP’s election co-incharge, added, "Hemant Soren has chosen to remain silent about the insult to his sister-in-law because, for him, respecting an Adivasi woman takes a backseat to the vote bank."
This is not the first time Congress leaders have come under fire for making derogatory remarks about women. From Rahul Gandhi to Digvijaya Singh, several prominent figures in the party have made controversial statements in the past. In the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, Congress leaders faced backlash for comments made by party members, including vulgar remarks from Congress MP Jay Prakash, which prompted opposition leader Bhupender Singh Hooda to issue clarifications.
Even in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi made headlines for his controversial comments on actress Aishwarya Rai, questioning why the media focused on her dancing instead of highlighting the struggles of farmers and laborers. "These media houses are owned by Adani and Ambani, and they never showcase the plight of the poor," he said during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Varanasi.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh once referred to Congress MP Meenakshi Natarajan as "100% genuine," but later clarified it was meant as a compliment. Delhi’s former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit also faced criticism for saying that "girls should not be too adventurous" and should dress modestly.
मोहब्बत की दुकान चलाने वाले नफरत के सौदागर हैं। ये रोज मां, बहन और बेटियों का अपमान करते हैं।
-श्री @ChouhanShivraj जी, केंद्रीय मंत्री व प्रदेश चुनाव प्रभारी pic.twitter.com/ZE3bDD5rE3
— BJP JHARKHAND (@BJP4Jharkhand) October 28, 2024
Other Congress leaders, including Abhijit Mukherjee and Sanjay Nirupam, have been criticized for making offensive remarks about women in the past. These comments highlight a deeper issue of disrespect for women within the party, which has led some Congress women leaders, like Radhika Khera, to resign.
If Congress truly advocates for women’s empowerment, it must ensure that its leaders’ comments and actions align with that commitment. Failing to address these repeated controversies could further damage the party’s credibility.
In response to the ongoing controversy surrounding Irfan Ansari’s remarks, he later sought an apology. Mahila Congress leader Alka Lamba reiterated that the party does not support derogatory statements and emphasized the need for action. With the model code of conduct in effect for the Jharkhand elections, the Congress party has indicated that it will take appropriate steps regarding the matter.
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