After making sexist remarks, Farooq Abdullah tenders half-hearted apology

www.mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Dec 6, 2013 (Zee News): National Conference chief and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah on Friday triggered a fresh row by commenting that the situation in the society is so bad that he is afraid of speaking to women these days.

"The incident of rapes and sexual assault on women have risen so much that I am scared of speaking to women these days," the NC chief said, adding, "You never know what lands you in jail today."

"That’s the reason why I don’t even think of keeping a woman secretary, "Abdullah said.

Farooq Abdullah made these remarks while reacting to the sexual harassment allegations against retired apex court justice AK Ganguly, who had been indicted by a Supreme Court panel.

Abdullah’s sexist comment has drawn sharp reactions from Congress and the opposition parties, mainly BJP.

Reacting to his comment, Congress leader Ambika Soni said, "It is not like that, he must be kidding. However, I don’t expect such comments from him."

In her reaction, BJP’s Smriti Irani said, "It is a very very demeaning comment by such a senior political leader."

Importantly, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed regret over his father’s controversial remark by saying that he should apologise for the same.

Shortly after that Farooq Abdullah apologised saying, "If I have hurt anyone’s sentiment, I apologise."

Farooq Abdullah had triggered controversies at several occasions in past too. He recently said that even if Narendra Modi becomes Prime Minister for "ten terms" he will not be able to repeal Article 370 of the Constitution.

Sometimes back, he had said that one can get a full meal in just Rs 1.