[Reader-list] MIND YOUR LANGUAGE, Mr Amar Singh!

[prakash ray]

WOMEN BODIES FLAY AMAR SINGH

New Delhi, July 9: The leading national women's organisations -- AIDWA,
NFIW, GOS, JWP, YWCA and CWDS have jointly issued the following statement:


The widely reported remark made by Shri. Amar Singh using sexist
language to describe meetings between political leaders, is highly
objectionable, condemnable, and unacceptable. He has been reported as
using terms like 'suhaagraat' (wedding night) and 'balaatkar' (rape) to
refer to the meetings between Ms. Sonia Gandhi, and leaders of other
political parties. It is quite shocking that a political leader can make
comments in such bad taste about political relationships that involve a
prominent woman leader of the country. There are many women in high
political office and in the leadership of various parties. Such remarks
not only trivialize their role, and insults the concerned individual,
but is demeaning to all women. The women's organizations strongly
condemn this remark, which is totally unbefitting of a political leader
occupying a responsible position. We call upon all democratic
organizations and individuals to condemn this kind of verbal abuse.

Since the remark referred to has not been denied by Shri. Amar Singh, we
demand a retraction, and a public apology.

The signatories of statement are:

Sudha Sundararaman (All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA),
Annie Raja (National Federation for Indian Women (NFIW), Mohini Giri
(Guild of Service (GOS), Jyotsna Chatterjee Joint Women's Programme
(JWP), Kalpana David (Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), Mary
John ( Centre for Women's Development Studies (CWDS).