Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb today regretted his remarks questioning the crowning of Diana Hayden as "Miss World" in 1997 and alleging that international beauty contests were a farce.
"I was talking about how the handlooms of the state could be marketed well. If anybody is hurt or feeling defamed, I regret for this... I respect all women as my mother," he told reporters.
Deb, who had kicked up a storm by his "Internet in the Mahabharata era" remark, landed himself in a fresh controversy when he questioned the rationale behind Hayden's win 21 years ago.
He had said he failed to understand the "process of judgement" of the crowning of the Miss World contest in 1997, in which Hayden won the award.
Deb, however, was all praise for Aishwarya Rai, who won the Miss World crown in 1994, saying she "represents the Indian women in the true sense".
His remarks drew criticism from various quarters, including beauty pageant contestants, social workers and his political opponents.
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Panchali Bhattacharjee, social worker and wife of former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar, said Deb's comments were "unexpected".
"Beauty pageant winners work very hard. It is not right to demean them in any way. Besides, we do not see women in any stereotypical manner. They should have the freedom to express themselves as Laxmi, Saraswati or otherwise," she added.
Femina Miss India contestant from Tripura Mamita Debbarma said, "It is a shame that our chief minister is making such comments."
Asserting that beauty pageant contestants had to work very hard to win a crown, she said, "The governments of other states felicitate and promote those who win these accolades. This comment is very unfortunate."
"In our country, a three-year girl is raped, but there is hardly any voice against it. I ask, why would people like Asaram and Ram Rahim not be hanged? Nobody is vocal about this. I want a comment from our chief minister."
State Congress vice-president Tapas Dey said, "His (Deb's) comments are divisive. He tried to differentiate between Aishwarya Rai and Diana Hayden with a clear motive, but both of them were judged by those who, according to Deb, are international mafia."