Dented-painted remark: Activists say mindset change needed

President Pranab Mukherjee's son and Congress MP from West Bengal's Jangipur Abhijit Mukherjee sparked a row by calling the anti-rape protesters at India Gate in Delhi as "dented and painted" women. Even as he said sorry for his 'dented-painted' remark, women rights groups have rejected his apology and said a change in mindset was required.
 
Social activist Ranjana Kumari said not an apology, but a change in the mindset is what is required. She said Abhijit Mukherjee's comment was similar to the ones heard at street corners. "It's disappointing to hear a comment from the President's son, his comments are similar to the ones we hear at a paan shop," she said. She also said, "I am really sorry about the way he is thinking and talking. So, so irresponsible. Coming from a family of such a senior and seasoned politician, respected person, President of India's son."

Protesters at Jantar Mantar in Delhi also condemned the statement of Abhijit Mukherjee saying this proves his mentality. "This proves the mentality of Mr Abhijit Mukherjee who has equated women with object. It is shameful and condemnable. It proves the mentality of those in Government," Kavita Krishnan of CPIML said at the protest site.

Social activist Subhasini Ali termed the remarks as "atrocious" and "insulting" to women. "Just using these two words in the context of women is so insulting and to say that these were not students but 'dented and painted women', I cannot imagine something more insulting," she said.

Abhijit Mukherjee has created a controversy by calling the anti-rape protesters at India Gate in Delhi as "dented and painted" women. The Jangipur MP was forced to retract his comments but not before he raked more controversy by trying to justify his statement.

Abhijit Mukherjee first said that it has become fashionable to attend protest demonstrations while speaking at an event in West Bengal, but also added that the women and girls protesting against the brutal gangrape of a 23-year-old girl were not in touch with ground realities and many of them could not be students because they used make up.

However, after CNN-IBN Deputy Editor Sagarika Ghose grilled Mukherjee, he was forced to apologise and retract his statement. Asking Sagarika not to drag the President into the controversy, Mukherjee said he was responsible for his action and comments.