Thursday 7 February 2013

Sexism uninterrupted: Akhilesh must sack tainted cabinet ministers




Sexism uninterrupted: Akhilesh must sack tainted cabinet ministers

For the first time in decades, sexism and violence against women arebeing debated in the highest political forums. Charged with gender insensitivity, the political class is under greater scrutiny. But party leaders continue to offer homilies laced with sexism, deaf to public censure. The latest in the list are the wholly inappropriate comments made by a senior minister in the UP government. Khadi and gramodyog minister Rajaram Pandey`s remarks about a woman district magistrate at a public function, were crassly offensive and amounted to public harassment. Starting with how lucky he was to work with such a `beautiful` DM, who happened to be present at the occasion, he went on to comment on her `melodious voice` and `good body structure`. This is precisely the kind of unacceptable remark which makes the work of women professionals difficult and enables their sexual harassment. Such sexism has come in for stringent criticism from women`s organisations as well as youth, who recently vented their anger on city streets following the brutal gang rape and murder of a Delhi student. 

Another equally important cause of worry is the continued induction oftainted ministers in the UP cabinet. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav rode to a triumphant victory on the promise of providing a clean administration. However, Pandey happens to have three criminal cases against him. Now Akhilesh has gone ahead and inducted Vinod Kumar Singh, charged with kidnapping a chief medical officer, into his cabinet. On the verge of completing one year in office next month, the chief minister is fast running out of time to make good his promise. Recall that during the Samajwadi Party`s last tenure UP slipped into lawlessness and chaos, a primary reason why it was voted out of office. To send the right message to UP`s long-suffering people, Akhilesh must immediately sack the tainted ministers.
(TOI editorial)

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