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)
No comments:
Post a Comment