'Sexist, misogynistic': BJP launches scathing attack on Cong's Surjewala over Hema Malini remark

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya (L) and Congress MP Randeep Surjewala

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday came down heavily on Congress leader Randeep Surjewala over his remarks against MP Hema Malini. The saffron party said Surjewala's comments are vile sexist and extremely derogatory.

Sharing a video on X, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya accused the Haryana Congress leader of making 'vile, sexist' remarks against Hema Malini, who is the party's Lok Sabha candidate from Mathura.

"Congress MP Randeep Surjewala makes a vile sexist comment, that is demeaning and derogatory, not just for Hema Malini, who is an accomplished individual, but women in general," he wrote.

Congress MP Randeep Surjewala makes a vile sexist comment, that is demeaning and derogatory, not just for Hema Malini, who is an accomplished individual, but women in general. He asks, “MLA/MP क्यों बनाते हैं? ताकि वो हमारी आवाज़ उठा सकें, हमारी बात मनवायें, इसीलिए बनाते होंगे।… pic.twitter.com/JO0UIXSOt1

— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) April 3, 2024

Sharpening his attack against the grand old party, Malviya added, "This is Rahul Gandhi’s Congress. It is misogynistic and abhors women".

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also slammed Congress over Surjewala's remarks against Hema Malini, terming his comments 'objectionable and indecent'.

"The opposition party has touched a 'new low in showing disrespect towards women. Hema Malini would be of Sonia Gandhi's age. She is a self-made woman," the BJP leader said.

Surjewala, however, accused the BJP of twisting facts and said that he has utmost respect for the BJP MP.

"My intention was not to insult Hema Malini ji or to hurt anybody. That's why I clearly said we respect Hema Malini ji. The BJP is anti-women, so it sees everything from its misogyny-tinted glasses and conveniently spreads lies," Surjewala said in his post.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath too hit out at Surjewala and said the derogatory comments against "matru shakti" (mother power) are a disgraceful insult to half the population.

Yogi, accompanied by Hema Malini, was addressing the Vijay Sankalp Naamankan Sabha in Mathura after the sitting MP filed her nomination papers from the Lok Sabha seat.

Issuing a warning to the Congress and INDIA bloc members, the UP CM said that the entire nation is prepared to teach a lesson to those who disrespect 'matru shakti'.

"Hema ji is contesting from Mathura for the third time, while other parties struggle to find suitable candidates ... Some Congress leaders have lost their composure. Their derogatory remarks against matru shakti are a disgraceful insult to half the population," Yogi Adityanath, who was campaigning for the actor-turned-politician said.

Earlier in the day, when asked about Surjewala's remarks against her, Hema Malini said only those people who have achieved something in life are targeted.

When asked why the Congress did not initiate action against its leader, she said, "They should learn from our Prime Minister how to respect women. They should also respect women."