BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri faces AAP, Congress ire for ‘anti-women’ comments on Priyanka Gandhi and Atishi

The statement elicited sharp reactions from AAP and Congress.

Hitting out at Bidhuri, Atishi said, “The BJP is anti-women, and this is well-known. But it is deeply concerning that the responsibility for Delhi’s security lies in the hands of this same party. Bidhuri’s remarks reveal the mindset of the party. If BJP leaders, former parliamentarians, and Assembly election candidates hold such views about women, how can the BJP ensure safety of women in Delhi?”

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, while seeking an apology from Bidhuri, targeted PM Narendra Modi. “BJP is extremely anti-women. Bidhuri’s statement regarding Priyanka Gandhi is not only shameful but also shows his disgusting mentality towards women. But what else can be expected from a man who used foul language against his fellow MP in the House and did not receive any punishment? This is the real face of the BJP… the father of this anti-women language and thinking is Modi himself — who uses words like mangalsutra (nuptial chain) and mujra (dance of courtesans),” she said.

As the video of Bidhuri’s remarks was widely shared across several platforms Sunday, Bidhuri first sought an apology for the remark made on Hema Malini. “Hema Malini is also a woman… those who made the mistake first should apologise first… Everybody should get respect. Lalu ji was in the Congress government cabinet, they should have made him apologise. They did not ask for it because she (Malini) was from a simple family. This is their hypocrisy,” he told reporters.

This is not the first time Bidhuri has come under fire for his comments. His comments against fellow Lok Sabha MP Danish Ali in 2023 were termed communal. The matter was referred to the Privileges Committee.

On Sunday, Ali posted on X, “The person who abused me and my community in Parliament, BJP encouraged such petty mentality by rewarding him instead of punishing him… today he is insulting women of the country by making lewd comments on Priyanka Gandhi. Modi, apologise.”

The controversy, however, did not end there. At the venue where PM Modi addressed a gathering on Sunday, Bidhuri attacked Atishi for dropping her surname Marlena and using Singh instead. “Marlena has become Singh… She changed her father. She was Marlena earlier, but has become Singh now,” he said.

Atishi dropped her surname in 2018. Her father is former Delhi University teacher Vijay Singh.

Responding to Bidhuri’s comments, AAP said in a statement, “Ramesh Bidhuri’s abusive remarks against a sitting female CM expose BJP’s anti-women mindset. If he behaves this way now, imagine the treatment ordinary women would face if he becomes an MLA by mistake… Arvind Kejriwal, as a son and brother to Delhi’s women, has ensured free bus rides, CCTVs, and bus marshals for their safety. His promise of a Rs 2,100 monthly allowance for mothers and sisters has rattled the BJP, which is now openly hurling abuses at women of Delhi.”

Bidhuri, however, apologised later on X. Tagging BJP national president JP Nadda, Delhi BJP in-charge Baijayant Panda and Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, he posted, “Some people are making statements on social media for political gain with a wrong perception based on a statement given by me in some context. My intention was not to insult anyone. But still, if anyone has been hurt then I express my regret.”