New Delhi:

The Election Commission on Monday censured BJP leader Dilip Ghosh and Congress’ Supriya Shrinate for derogatory remarks against the dignity of women.

The Commission said it is convinced that they made a low-level personal attack and thus violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

They have been warned to remain careful in public utterances during the Model Code of Conduct period. Their election-related communications will be specially and additionally monitored by the Commission from Monday onwards.

A copy of the warning notice or censure is also being marked to their respective party chiefs for sensitising their functionaries to be careful while communicating in public domain and refrain from any such derogatory comments and violations of model code guidelines.

A controversial comment was posted on social media platforms from Ms Shrinate’s accounts against Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut, who has been fielded by the BJP as its candidate from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Following a row, Ms Shrinate removed the controversial remarks from all her social accounts, claiming that those were not posted by her but by someone else who had access to her accounts.

Mr Ghosh was captured on video mocking Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s family background. He later apologised for his contentious remarks against the West Bengal Chief Minister. 

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

Mandi:

Days after Supriya Shrinate’s derogatory post against Bollywood actress and BJP’s candidate Kangana Ranaut, her mother, Asha Ranaut, said she was pained.

“She (Ms Shrinate) too has daughters and daughters-in-law at home. If she speaks like that, they should think that if someone speaks like that against their children, how would they feel…I too have that same pain in me…Why should I call out the entire party if one individual uses derogatory language? Not everyone is bad,” Asha Ranaut told ANI on Friday.

Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut, who is the BJP candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh, held a roadshow in the city to prepare for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

The ‘Queen’ actress was warmly greeted as she waved to the crowd during the event.

“You can see the large gathering here. A lot of people have come here. They are all proud that the daughter of Mandi, the nationalist voice from Mandi, will represent the constituency in this election,” she said ahead of her roadshow.

“Development is the main issue for BJP. The people of Mandi will show what is in their heart,” Ms Ranaut added as supporters around her welcomed her with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chants.

Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats – Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra – and the BJP had won all of them in 2019.

The elections to the four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh and bypolls to the six Assembly constituencies that fell vacant with the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs will be held on June 1.

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

New Delhi:

The Congress today dropped Supriya Shrinate as a candidate from the constituency she contested in 2019, amid roaring outrage over her remarks on actor Kangana Ranaut, the BJP’s pick from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi.

Ms Shrinate had contested the last Lok Sabha polls from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh but lost to BJP’s Pankaj Chaudhary.

This time, Congress has named Virendra Chaudhary as its choice from the seat, dropping Ms Shrinate, caught in a massive political whirlpool over her post on Kangana Ranaut.

On Monday, an offensive post was put out from Ms Shrinate’s Instagram account with a picture of Ms Ranaut and a derogatory caption. Ms Shrinate promptly clarified that several people have access to her social media accounts, and one of them made the inappropriate post.

“As soon as I came to know, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me, also knows very well that I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman. I wanted to know how this happened,” she said.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission issued a show-cause notice to Ms Shrinate over her post.

The Congress announced its eighth list on Wednesday for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, naming 14 candidates for four states – Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Jharkhand. The party has announced 208 candidates so far.

The party has fielded Rao Yadvendra Singh against Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in Madhya Pradesh’s Guna and Pratap Bhanu Sharma against former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Vidisha. Tarvar Singh Lodhi has been nominated from Damoh.

In Jharkhand, it named Kalicharan Munda from the Khunti (ST), Sukhdeo Bhagat from Lohardaga (ST), and Jaiprakashbhai Patel from the Hazaribagh parliamentary constituencies.

In Telangana, the party fielded Suguna Kumari Chelimala from Adilabad, Tatiparthi Jeevan Reddy from Nizamabad, Neelam Madhu from Medak, and Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy from Bhongir.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress nominated Dolly Sharma from Ghaziabad, Nakul Dubey from Sitapur, Shivram Valmiki from Bulandshahr (SC) seat, and Virendra Chaudhary from Maharajganj.

New Delhi:

The Election Commission has issued show-cause notices to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Dilip Ghosh over “derogatory” remarks against actor Kangana Ranaut, who is the BJP’s candidate for Haryana’s Mandi Lok Sabha, and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“… on careful examination, the comment(s) have been found to be ‘undignified and in bad taste’, and to be prima facie violative of provisions of the Model Code of Conduct…” the poll panel said.

Ms Shrinate and Mr Ghosh have been given till 5 pm Friday to explain why action should not be taken against them. “In the event of no response… it will be presumed you have nothing to say…”

Supriya Shrinate-Kangana Ranaut Row

Controversy erupted after a crude and sexist post appeared on Ms Shrinate’s Instagram account.

The Congress leader issued a video clarification on her X handle, in which she said she had deleted the inappropriate post. Ms Shrinate said the post had been made without her knowledge.

“Many people have access to my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Someone from them made an extremely inappropriate post today. As soon as I came to know, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me knows I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman,” she said.

She also blamed a parody account bearing her name for the post.

“Someone copied it from there and posted it on my Instagram and Facebook accounts. I am trying to know who has done this… I have also reported this parody account to Twitter,” she said.

However, by then the post and the photograph had kicked up a storm, including a letter from the National Commission of Women to the Election Commission calling for action against Ms Shrinate.

NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma also called on Sonia Gandhi to take “stringent action” against Supriya Shrinate and another Congress leader, HS Ahir, for similarly distasteful comments.

Ms Ranaut – who makes her political debut in this Lok Sabha election – responded sharply.

“We must free our daughters from the shackles of prejudices, we must rise above the curiosity about their body parts and above all we must refrain from using sex workers’ challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur… every woman deserves her dignity,” she said.

An under-fire Congress has since responded. The party said that such coarse language has no place in public discourse, and also that the matter should end now with Ms Shrinate’s explanation.

Dilip Ghosh’s Comment On Mamata Banerjee

The other show-cause notice issued today was for Mr Ghosh’s comment about the Bengal Chief Minister. “Didi goes to Goa and says, ‘I am Goa’s daughter’… goes to Tripura and says, ‘Am Tripura’s daughter’. Decide who your father is. It is not good to be just anybody’s daughter,” he had said.

Ms Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has ripped into Mr Ghosh over his crude remark.

Unfortunately for the BJP, Mr Ghosh’s comment also left the party on the back-foot even as it was trying to corner the Congress over the post on Ms Shrinate’s account against Ms Ranaut.

New Delhi:

Under fire for her derogatory social media posts on actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate today questioned if the BJP would speak out on its MP Dilip Ghosh’s offensive remarks on Trinamool chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“Dilip Ghosh is BJP’s former Bengal chief and its Medinipur MP. He is frustrated after he was sidelined and fielded from (Bardhaman) Durgapur against (Trinamool’s) Kirti Azad. In an offensive remark, he has asked ‘who is Mamata Banerjee’s father’,” Supriya Shrinate posted on X, asking whether the BJP would react.

Ms Shrinate also asked if the BJP will remain silent on the wrestlers’ allegations of sexual harassment against its MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

On the campaign trail, Mr Ghosh has sparked a massive row with his remark on Ms Banerjee. “Didi goes to Goa and says, ‘I am Goa’s daughter’, then goes to Tripura and says, ‘I am Tripura’s daughter’. Decide who your father is. It is not good to be just anybody’s daughter,” he is heard saying in a video that has now gone viral.

The remarks have drawn a sharp response from the Trinamool Congress, which has said Mr Ghosh is “venting his frustration” after he was “ousted” from the Medinipur constituency that he currently represents and fielded from another seat.

Trinamool leader Sushmita Dev referred to the row over derogatory remarks Ms Ranaut. “The BJP is making big speeches (on the Kangana Ranaut issue), but its leaders’ remarks for the country’s only woman Chief Minister are against our political traditions. I want to ask the National Commission for Women chief, you are so worried about the BJP’s candidate, but you are silent when BJP insults Mamata Banerjee. You should be ashamed,” she said.

Ms Ranaut, the BJP’s candidate from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, has hit out at Ms Shrinate over the social media posts from her profiles.

The ‘Queen’ actor has said she has played different women roles, “from a prostitute in Rajjo to a revolutionary leader in Thalaivii”.

“We must free our daughters from the shackles of prejudices, we must rise above the curiosity about their body parts and above all we must refrain from using sex workers’ challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur… every woman deserves her dignity,” she said.

Facing a huge backlash, Ms Shrinate issued a clarification, saying that she had deleted the “inappropriate posts” that she said were made from her social media handles without her knowledge. “Many people have access to my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Someone from them made an extremely inappropriate post today. As soon as I came to know, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me, also knows very well that I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman,” she said.

The remarks have drawn a strong response from the National Commission for Women. “Such behaviour is intolerable and goes against the dignity of women. (NCW chairperson) has sent a letter to the Election commissioner of India demanding an immediate and strict action against them. Let’s uphold respect and dignity for all women,” the panel has said.

Chandigarh:

Every woman, irrespective of her background and profession, deserves dignity, actor Kangana Ranaut said on Tuesday, adding that she was particularly pained by Congress leaders’ comments on Mandi from where she is contesting the Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket.

Mandi is often referred to as “chota Kashi” the world over, Ms Ranaut told reporters outside the Chandigarh airport.

Congress leaders Supriya Shrinate and H S Ahir have kicked up a huge political row with derogatory comments on Ms Ranaut and Mandi posted on their social media handles.

“Whatever be the profession of a woman, be it a teacher, actress, journalist, politician, or a sex worker, all of them deserve dignity. I’m pained especially because of the deplorable comments made about Mandi… All of us who come from Mandi have been hurt by the comments,” Ms Ranaut said.

Asked whether she plans to take any action against the two Congress leaders, she said she had been called to Delhi by BJP president J P Nadda and would respond only after meeting him.

“I have to maintain the dignity of the party. I can’t walk before it. I have to walk with them and follow their instructions.”

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to the Election Commission demanding strict action against Ms Shrinate and Mr Ahir for their comments against Ms Ranaut.

“National Commission for Women is appalled by the disgraceful conduct of Ms. Supriya Shrinate and Mr H S Ahir, who made lewd and derogatory remarks about @KanganaTeam on social media. Such behavior is intolerable and goes against the dignity of women. @sharmarekha has sent a letter to the Election commissioner of India demanding an immediate and strict action against them. Let’s uphold respect and dignity for all women.#RespectWomen,” the NCW said in a post on Monday.

Kangana Ranaut, 37, had earlier hit out at Ms Shrinate, saying that she has played various roles and every woman deserves dignity.

“Dear Supriya ji, in the last 20 years of my career as an artist I have played all kinds of women. From a naive girl in ‘Queen’ to a seductive spy in ‘Dhaakad’, from a goddess in ‘Manikarnika’ to a demon in ‘Chandramukhi’, from a prostitute in ‘Rajjo’ to a revolutionary leader in ‘Thalaivii’,” Ms Ranaut tweeted.

Ms Shrinate clarified that many people have access to her Facebook and Instagram accounts, and someone from them made the inappropriate post.

“As soon as I came to know, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me, also knows very well that I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman. I wanted to know how this happened,” she said.

Mr Ahir, state joint co-ordinator of Kisan Congress, also made derogatory remarks against Ms Ranaut. 

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

New Delhi:

A derogatory post by a Congress leader on actor Kangana Ranaut’s electoral debut has sparked a fresh controversy, with the National Commission of Women demanding action against the politician.

The post accompanying a photo of Ms Ranaut from the Instagram handle of Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate landed weeks before the national elections. Ms Ranaut is contesting the elections on a BJP ticket from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

The ‘Queen’ actor took to social media to respond to Ms Shrinate’s remarks, pointing out that she has played different women roles, “from a prostitute in Rajjo to a revolutionary leader in Thalaivii.”

“We must free our daughters from the shackles of prejudices, we must rise above the curiosity about their body parts and above all we must refrain from using sex workers’ challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur… every woman deserves her dignity,” she said.

Ms Shrinate issued a video clarification and said she had deleted the “inappropriate posts” that were made from her handle without her knowledge.

Read | Kangana Ranaut, ‘Ramayan’ Actor Arun Govil Make Poll Debut With BJP

“Many people have access to my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Someone from them made an extremely inappropriate post today. As soon as I came to know, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me, also knows very well that I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman,” she said.

मेरे फेसबुक और इंस्टा के अकाउंट पर कई लोगों का एक्सेस है. इसमें से किसी व्यक्ति ने आज एक बेहद घृणित और आपत्तिजनक पोस्ट किया था.

मुझे जैसे ही इसकी जानकारी हुई मैंने वह पोस्ट हटा दिया. जो भी मुझे जानते हैं, वह यह अच्छी तरह से जानते हैं कि मैं किसी भी महिला के लिए व्यक्तिगत भोंडी… pic.twitter.com/CFDNXuxmo2

— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) March 25, 2024

She blamed a parody account being run with her name which made the “objectionable post”. “Someone copied it from there and posted it on my Instagram and Facebook accounts. I am trying to know who has done this from those who have access. I have also reported this parody account to Twitter,” added Ms Shrinate.

Video |Actor Kangana Ranaut Cleans Ayodhya’s Hanuman Garhi Temple

Ms Ranaut also shared the screenshot of a conversation in which a Gujarat Congress leader is seen making a vile remark on her electoral debut.

“If a young man gets ticket his ideology is attacked if a young woman gets ticket her sexuality is attacked. Strange!! Also congress people are sexualising a small town’s name. Mandi is being used in sexual context everywhere, just because it has a young woman candidate, shame on Congress people for displaying sexist tendencies,” she said.

But the clarification did little to extinguish the fire with Union Minister Smriti Irani leading the BJP attack on the Congress.

“This initiation into politics by fire @KanganaTeam is not a reflection on who you are but on what they have done & are capable of continuing to do for they can’t fathom how to deal with women of steel. March onto victory. Vijayi Bhav,” said Ms Irani, sharing Ms Ranaut’s post.

The NCW has shot off a letter to the Election Commission of India demanding immediate and strict action against them.

National Commission for Women is appalled by the disgraceful conduct of Ms. Supriya Shrinate and Mr. H.S. Ahir, who made lewd and derogatory remarks about @KanganaTeam on social media. Such behavior is intolerable and goes against the dignity of women. @sharmarekha has sent a…

— NCW (@NCWIndia) March 25, 2024

“National Commission for Women is appalled by the disgraceful conduct of Ms. Supriya Shrinate and Mr. H.S. Ahir, who made lewd and derogatory remarks about @KanganaTeam on social media. Such behavior is intolerable and goes against the dignity of women,” said the women’s body.