Women’s panel asks leader to clarify

DURING A DAHI HANDI EVENT EARLIER THIS WEEK, KADAM WAS SEEN SAYING IN A VIDEO THAT HE WOULD KIDNAP GIRLS TO MARRY THEM OFF TO MEN WHO THEY HAD REJECTED

MUMBAI: In more trouble for BJP’s Ghatkopar MLA Ram Kadam, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) on Thursday asked him to clarify his stand on his “kidnap girls” remark in eight days.

During a dahi handi event earlier this week, Kadam was seen saying in a video that he would kidnap girls to marry them off to men who they had rejected. The video was widely shared, and both Kadam and his party have been criticised by opposition parties and activists.

“... The commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the stories. The legislator has been sent a notice seeking clarification in eight days,” Rahatkar said.

The state women’s commission’s chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, said they have sought a clarification from Kadam.

The MSCW’s action comes a day after Kadam publicly apologised for his remarks, which he maintains were taken out of context. Meanwhile, BJP leader Shaina NC came out openly against Kadam on Thursday.

“I was quite shocked and I will say it quite openly,” she said at an event in Delhi, and added, “There was a legislator from our own political party who was talking about kidnapping girls and it shocked me.”

So far, other BJP leaders have remained tightlipped about Kadam’s remarks. While there was speculation that Kadam would be removed as the party’s spokesperson, there has been no official announcement.