Remarks against army wives: House to take up Paricharak issue

The Maharashtra Legislative Council will on Monday take up the matter of revoking the suspension of a legislator who allegedly made derogatory remarks about wives of soldiers. The suspension of BJP-backed MLC Prashant Paricharak was revoked yesterday after a probe committee concluded that since the legislator had apologised for the incident, his punishment had been deemed to be enough. The move had met with opposition from several quarters, including Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray who said, "Jawans are being martyred at the borders and the BJP is revoking the suspension of Paricharak, who insulted their families. How can his suspension be revoked?" Council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar today said, adding that the Paricharak issue would be taken up on Monday. Raising the issue, Shiv Sena MLC Anil Parab said the proposal to revoke Paricharak's suspension was approved amidst a din, without the members getting an opportunity to express their stand over the issue. "The manner in which he has insulted soldiers, he should have not just been suspended, but dismissed. The move to revoke his suspension should be rescinded," Parab said. The BJP could go in for fresh polls for the Council seat occupied by Parichark, he said, adding all parties would support its candidate. Paricharak's comments had created an uproar in the state legislature, and the Upper House saw adjournments for three consecutive days, Parab said. NCP member Sunil Tatkare sought the chairman's intervention in doing a vote count to gauge the members' stand on the issue. The Council chairman said Paricharak's comments could not be backed by anybody. "There was a severe feeling of discontent at that time due to which he was suspended for one and a half years.

A committee was formed to conduct a probe. The committee, headed by me, even held six to seven meetings," Nimbalkar said. "Records from the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and other state assemblies were also analysed and it was decided to revoke his suspension. Keeping the feelings of the members in mind, a decision on him will be taken on Monday," he said. Paricharak was suspended on March 9 last year, after he joked during an election campaign that soldiers at the borders distribute sweets when their babies are born although they haven't come home in a year, thus indirectly alleging that their wives are unfaithful.

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