Taking potshots at Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Agarwal for his derogatory remark, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Saturday said the use of such a language or comment is not only inappropriate, but immoral.
"I don't agree with Naresh Agarwal's comment. The use of such a language or comment in not only inappropriate, but immoral," she told media in Allahabad.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also criticized Agarwal, and said the statement made by the latter reflected his character and mindset.
"It is very unfortunate that such comments have made. It is reflective of their character and mindset," BJP spokesperson Vijay Sonkar Shastri told media in New Delhi.
The Samajwadi Party leader, however, today stood by his 'Rand' remark, and asserted that his statement was used as an idiom to throw light on the Bharatiya Janata Party's trends.
"I have not said anything wrong. I used the idiom as an example. I did not aim my comment on any one person, I said it in reference to the entire BJP. Modi, himself, attacks Mulayam Singh and calls the Prime Minister a chor (thief). He calls our leaders corrupt. So, it is them who are targetting individuals, not us," Agarwal said in his defence.
"I have not used unparliamentarily language. I always use parliamentary language. What I have said is correct and I maintain my stand," he added.
Earlier today, National Commission of Women (NCW) chairperson Mamata Sharma said the commission would send a notice to Agarwal to explain his indecent remark about women.
"I have taken cognisance of the statement made Naresh Agarwal. It is absolutely inappropriate if a tall leader uses such an offensive word. I will serve notice to him and will seek his clarification," she said.
On Friday, while taking a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, Agarwal sparked off a controversy by saying: "Hamaare gaon mein kahawat hai, rand se ashirwad lene jaao, woh kehti hai hamaare tarah ban jaao. Yehi BJP ka haal hai-woh kehte hain, humari tarah ban jao." (There is an idiom used in my village that says when someone goes to take blessings from a 'rand', she asks the person to become like her.
