‘Blot on womankind’ remark draws ire in India
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party came under fire after one of its leaders described opposition leader Mayawati as a “blot on womankind” and “worse than a transgender”.
Mayawati is the head of the Bahujan Samaj Party and a prominent figure among India’s lower-caste communities commonly referred to as Dalits and Bahujans. The remarks by the BJP’s Sadhana Singh, a member of the Uttar Pradesh state legislative assembly, were made at a party rally on Saturday.
“I don’t think Uttar Pradesh’s former chief minister is a woman or a man. She doesn’t understand the concept of dignity,” Ms Singh said.
The National Commission for Women issued a notice seeking an explanation for the remarks, which political activists characterised as an example of the misogynist and casteist policies of the Hindu nationalist BJP.
“The last few years have seen a multifold rise in the movement against caste-based discrimination, so much so that those in the ruling party feel threatened,” said Siddharth Gaware, Maharashtra state president of Rashtriya Soshit Parishad (National Council for Marginalised). “They are afraid, and such statements are a sign of their fear,” he told The National.
Caste is a sensitive issue in Indian politics. Despite being abolished under India’s postindependence constitution, it continues to influence social and political dynamics.
Policies implemented by the BJP have left minority groups feeling marginalised and sparked the mobilisation of anti-caste movements.
Mr Gaware pointed to the annual Dalit commemoration at Koregaon Bhima that drew more than three million members of the community. Deadly riots broke out after the gathering was attacked, allegedly by upper-caste right-wing groups.
“The footfall at the gathering was massive, and a large number of them were the youth from the community who are more educated, aware and empowered with technology.
“They are changing the face of the movement and BJP and right-wing groups have good reason to fear,” Mr Gaware said.
His organisation set up a stall selling copies of the Indian constitution, written by B R Ambedkar, considered a champion of the lower castes. “We sold over 10,000 copies within a few hours. That shows how fast and effectively we are mobilising,” he said.
Divya Kandukuri, 22, an anticaste activist, said the insult against Mayawati was an issue only because of the general election in April and May.
“This is not the first time Mayawati has been targeted – there were instances when she walked out of parliament because she was called a prostitute,” Ms Kandukuri said.
“This is an issue now because the elections are around the corner, but few people protested when Mayawati was insulted in the parliament. That is how women from the lower caste communities are treated.”
Mayawati has been attacked on several occasions for not only her caste, but also for not being “womanly” enough.
BJP spokeswoman Shaina NC, during an entrepreneurship event in 2014, also questioned Mayawati’s gender, saying she did not know whether the BSP leader was a “he or a she”.
“We still don’t have the support from the larger movements,” Ms Kandukuri said.
“You won’t find upper-caste women activists speaking out for Mayawati.”