New Delhi:

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday said it has initiated legal action against Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra for her remarks against its chairperson Rekha Sharma.

This came a day after the TMC, commenting on a video posted on X showing the NCW chairperson’s arrival at the site of a stampede that recently took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras, wrote, “She is too busy holding up her boss’s pajamas”.

The NCW in a statement said that a formal complaint has been filed with the Delhi Police and a letter has been sent to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the Parliament stating that Ms Moitra’s remarks are condemnable in strongest possible words and being a Member of Parliament, it is unbecoming of her stature.

Reacting to the same, Ms Moitra took a jibe at the NCW and posted on X, “Come on @DelhiPolice please take action immediately on these suo moto orders. Am in Nadia in case you need me in the next 3 days to make a quick arrest. I Can Hold My Own Umbrella”.

In the letter to Mr Birla, the NCW has urged the speaker of the Lok Sabha to look into the matter and take appropriate action against Ms Moitra.

“These crude remarks are not only outrageous but also a severe violation of a woman’s right to dignity,” the NCW said.

While in the letter to the Delhi police, the NCW said upon careful consideration, the Commission said it has has determined that Ms Moitra’s remarks fall under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023.

The NCW demanded registration of FIR against Ms Moitra. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

A social media post by Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress sparked a war of words today between the party and the Chairperson of the National Women’s Commission Rekha Sharma. The initial Trinamool post on X, formerly Twitter, was on Rekha Patra, the women from Sandeshkhali, whom the BJP has fielded as its candidate for Basirhat, the constituency that includes her village in the Sundarbans island.  

The Trinamool, attacking Ms Patra with an image of her state government health card, had accuseds her of playing the “ultimate game of hypocrisy, enjoying the benefits of Smt.@MamataOfficial’s schemes while aligning herself with Delhi’s JOMIDARS”.

“Caught red-handed! @BJP4India’s MP candidate from Basirhat, Rekha Patra, plays the ultimate game of hypocrisy, enjoying the benefits of Smt.@MamataOfficial’s schemes while aligning herself with Delhi’s JOMIDARS.PM @narendramodi, the next time you call her, don’t forget to inquire about her Swasthya Sathi card. It might help you understand how our leader’s brainchild, Swasthya Sathi, surpasses the failed Ayushman Bharat scheme,’ its post read.

Rekha Sharma immediately joined issue. “Is @MamataOfficial is paying from her own pocket? That’s taxpayers money and is for every citizen of west Bengal. Is it only for @AITCofficial workers? And what do you mean by Delhi’s Jomidars? Is west Bengal not part of India? You people behave as if Momta Benarji own the state,” her post read.

“Why do we call them Delhi’s Jomidars? Because despite collecting Rs 4.6 lakh crore as taxes from Bengal, BJP-led Centre has withheld Rs 1.6 lakh crore for crucial schemes. Also, being the chairperson of @NCWIndia you’re distorting the name of the only female CM of India? SHAME!” Trinamool shot back, highlighting its frequent complaint that the state is not receiving its share of revenue.

Many on the social media platform, meanwhile, pointed out that the party has inadvertently made public the candidate’s personal data, including her phone number and bank account details.

The candidature of Rekha Patra, who was among those who spearheaded the protests at Sandeshkhali   against Trinamool strongman Sheikh Shahjahan, has become a huge talking point in the state.

With the contest between Trinamool’s Mahua Moitra and Amrita Roy, the “Rajmata” of the erstwhile royal family of Krishnanagar being the other big draw, the coming assembly elections are being seen as a battle for the votes of women, who have so far backed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.