Bengali movie star Dev Monday likened the Lok Sabha poll frenzy surrounding him to "being raped", prompting condemnation from political parties and women.
Dev is contesting on a Trinamool Congress ticket from Ghatal in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.
Talking to Bengali tabloid Ebela, the actor-turned-politician said: "Eighty percent of the media is now focusing on Ghatal. Dev contesting from Ghatal has become a hot topic. It is nice that a place like Ghatal has also become popular."
When asked if he was enjoying the moment, Dev was quoted as saying: "Enjoy ... it's just like being raped here, either you can enjoy or can shout".
Political parties have condemned the "outrageous" comments and are even mulling lodging a complaint with the Election Commission (EC).
"It is not surprising because he represents Trinamool, a party which has put Bengal in the headlines for rapes. We condemn the comments and may move the Election Commission against this," state BJP president Rahul Sinha told IANS.
Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sujon Chakraborty too condemned the comments. "We condemn it in the strictest sense especially when such a comment has come from a man who is seen as a role model by youngsters.
"It is unfortunate people who can make such comments are contesting the poll and aspire to be the elected representatives to parliament," said Chakraborty, adding the party might approach the EC over this.
Both Sinha and Chakraborty called for cancellation of Dev's candidature.
Congress leader O.P. Mishra called for immediate penal action against Dev. "The comments invite penal action under the relevant laws protecting the dignity of a woman. The administration should immediately take action," Mishra said.
Women's activist Saswati Ghosh said the comments were outrageous, an insult to women as a whole and demeaning to victims of the dreadful crime.
"It is outrageous and outrightly condemnable. It is most unfortunate for the people that a person like him is contesting. It won't be surprising if he even asks women to enjoy rape if unfortunately they become victim of the crime," Ghosh told IANS.
