Delhi Commission for Women (DWC) chairperson Swati Maliwal today expressed shock over BJP MLA OP Sharma's derogatory remarks against AAP legislator Alka Lamba, and assured the latter of support.
Dubbing Sharma as a "habitual offender" and one lacking respect for women, Maliwal said the DCW had recommended registration of FIR against Sharma in another case earlier, but the absence of police action has emboldened the BJP leader to "repeat" such offence.
The DCW had earlier recommended registration of FIR against Sharma for calling the AAP legislator a "drug addict" in August this year.
"Shocked at Sharma's comments on lady MLA Alka Lamba... He appears to be a habitual offender and lacks respect for women. I had recommended registration of FIR against Sharma to police. Sad no FIR was registered. That's why he got the courage to repeat such offence," she said.
"MLA Sharma been elected by Delhi to protect women and work towards making Delhi safe for them. Not for sexist comments n threatening them. DCW will now support MLA Alka Lamba to take this battle to court. No man should get away with misbehaving with a woman (sic)," Maliwal tweeted.
Sharma made the remarks during a discussion in assembly on homeless people and night shelters in the city, initiated through a calling attention motion by BJP's Vijender Gupta.
Gupta said this year 402 deaths of homeless persons were reported till date, under Kashmiri Gate police station area in the city, while the number was 221 last year and alleged that the AAP government was not serious about this matter.
Lamba intervened in the discussion saying that the deaths were not due to cold but due to "use of drugs".
This prompted Sharma to counter Alka and make a personal derogatory comment against her.
AAP MLAs immediately voiced their protest over the remarks and rushed into the well of the House shouting slogans and demanding his expulsion.
The Speaker expressed his regret over the incident and suspended Sharma till Thursday.
