New Delhi: Former Left-supported Kerala MP Joyce George has withdrawn remarks in which he called Congress leader Rahul Gandhi an “unmarried trouble-maker” and asked young women to be “cautious” of him.
George made the remarks at a rally in Erattayar on Monday, March 29, when he brought up Gandhi’s interaction with students of a women’s college in Kochi last week. Gandhi had given aikido lessons at St Teresa’s college as part of assembly election campaigns.
George accused Gandhi of visiting only women’s colleges and said young women should be “cautious” while dealing with the former Congress president.
“Rahul Gandhi’s programmes are held only in women’s colleges. He goes there and teaches girls how to stand straight, how to bend. Don’t go near him and do such things…he isn’t married,” ANI quoted George as having said.
“Girls, never bend down in front of him…he is an unmarried trouble-maker,” he said, according to PTI‘s report of the incident.
This is also Kerala..!!
EX-MP Joyce George said “Rahul Gandhi’s programme is such that he will only visit women colleges. He will go there and teach girls to bend. My dear children, please don’t bend and stand in front of him. He is not married.”@RahulGandhi #Kerala #Election pic.twitter.com/TaENHud6Xy
— Raam Das (@PRamdas_TNIE) March 30, 2021
Soon after George’s comments were reported, a section of social media users began circulating videos of the session. While some accused George of demeaning women, others – mostly supporters of the BJP – said he was correct in his comments on Gandhi.
George, an independent candidate supported by CPI(M), had won the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Idukki. He was MP until 2019 and was campaigning for the LDF on Monday, when he made the remarks.
Distancing himself from the comments, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the Left Democratic Front’s stand is not to personally attack Gandhi.
“We will oppose him politically not personally,” Vijayan told reporters in Kasaragod on Tuesday.
Indian Express has reported George as having said at a rally on Tuesday that he regrets making the comments.
“Yesterday while speaking at an election rally in Erattayar , I made certain inappropriate remarks. I withdraw those remarks unconditionally. I publicly convey my regret,” he was quoted as having said.
Other reactions
Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday termed the coloured remarks against Gandhi as ‘unfortunate and unacceptable.’
“A case should be registered against the former MP and he should be arrested,” he said.
We condemn this misogynistic comment by Joyce George.
It’s clear @cpimspeak is feeling the heat of losing elections https://t.co/IZWlV4j0xQ— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) March 30, 2021
Member of Parliament and Youth Congress leader Dean Kuriakose lashed out at the ex-MP and said George might have spoken about his own character.
“The vulgarity within him has come out now. What is his merit to criticise Rahul Gandhi? He is trying to follow the footsteps of power minister M.M. Mani, known for making such derogatory comments,” he said.
Kuriakose said through the comments, the former MP had not only insulted Gandhi but also women students.
According to Express, former chief minister Oommen Chandy, too responded along similar lines, noting that the remarks had been objectionable to women.
However, minister M.M. Mani said George had not made any “anti-women remarks” and only criticised Rahul Gandhi.
Kerala Congress leader P.J. Joseph said the remarks were “immature”.
(With PTI inputs)