Kavitha remarks unintentional, Bandi tells state women’s panel

HYDERABAD: BJP state president Bandi Sanjay on Saturday appeared before the Telangana State Commission for Women in connection with ‘derogatory remarks’ made against BRS MLC K Kavitha. While he admitted to having made certain remarks, he clarified that they were not intentional, but a spontaneous reaction to media queries.
Sanjay submitted to the Commission that the comment made by him involved a Telugu phrase, commonly used in the state. He said he had no intention of hurting anyone’s sentiments. The MP answered all the the Commission’s questions and also gave a written explanation.

The Commission warned Sanjay not to repeat the mistake. It asked him to refrain from making politically motivated comments and using such language against women in future. It also said stringent action would be taken if such mistakes were repeated.
During the two-and-a-half-hour examination, the Commission reportedly showed video clips in which the BJP leader had made comments insulting women on different occasions in the past. One of the video clips was on Bathukamma saris.
Commission chairperson Sunitha Laxma Reddy also directed DGP Anjani Kumar to conduct an inquiry and submit a report on the episode.
After coming out of the Commission’s office, Bandi said, “BJP is a national party which respects women...When you have not committed a mistake, it is better to appear before the Commission and send a message that the state president of a national party respects women,” he said and added the Commission did not ask him to appear before it again.
Though there were reports that Sanjay had told the Commission that he had even called BRS MLC as “Kavithakka” in one his interaction with the media in a sign of his respect for her, the BJP state president refused to divulge information about the questioning by the Commission.
Meanwhile, there were chaotic scenes at the women’s commission office in Secunderabad with a group of BRS women leaders holding placards and demanding that Sanjay offer an unconditional apology to Kavitha. On the other hand, BJP Mahila Morcha members stood in front of building demanding BRS MLA Chirumarthi Lingaiah and all others who commented on women should be summoned. They alleged that the Commission was functioning like a ‘welfare board for Kavitha’. The police kept the situation under control.