Mumbai: Woman Activists on Sunday filed a police complaint against Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan who while addressing a meeting said liquor brands should be named after women to increase sales.
According to a report by Indian Express, social activist Paromita Goswami, on Sunday filed a complaint against the minister for his "sexist" remarks which have been slammed by other activists and leaders from opposition parties.
“Women are protesting against the sale of liquor in various places of Maharashtra. Despite this Maharashtra Minister Mahajan made such a remark. It is very unfortunate", Shiv Sena said in its mouthpiece Saamana on Monday.
It added that on the one hand, the state government launches campaigns to curb consumption of liquor and on the other it suggests to use the names of women for selling alcohol.
“Bihar Government last year completely banned sale of liquor. Despite of disputes between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the latter supported the initiative. But in Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) own minister is giving suggestions on how to increase the sale of alcohol,” the article read.
Mahajan on Sunday landed himself in trouble over a derogatory remark against women, after he said, “If you want alcohol or any product’s demand to rise, name it after a woman and see how the demand soars.”
He made the statement while attending an event organised by a sugar factory, which also produces liquor under the brand name ‘Maharaja’.
Mahajan's comments have also been condemned by other political parties. While the NCP’s women’s wing protested in Nashik and other places, Aam Aadmi Party’s Preeti Sharma Menon said this was “stooping to a low level.”
“What is the purpose of saying this? I am shocked that a minister from the state is so eager to increase liquor sales. Is this his social responsibility?… how did he make this anti-women statement?” said Menon.
Following the outrage, Mahajn apologised for his remarks saying he did not intend to hurt the sentiments of women.
"I regret my remarks. I express my apologies. It wasn't my intention to hurt women's sentiments," Mahajan, who handles the water resources portfolio, told reporters at a hurriedly convened press conference here.
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