‘Rashtrapatni’ Row: NCW Summons Congress Leader Over Remark Against Draupadi Murmu

New Delhi: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sent a notice to Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, asking him to appear before it in person and tender a written explanation for his remarks.

NCW has scheduled the heating at 11.30 am on August 3.

The commission has also written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi urging her take appropriate action against Chowdhury for his “derogatory” remark.

A row erupted after a video surfaced in which Chowdhury is seen referring to the President as ‘Rashtrapatni.’

The BJP wasted no time in pouncing on the Congress.

Slamming the main Opposition party, Irani demanded an apology for Chowdhury maliciously targeting the recently-appointed President, while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sought an apology from Sonia.

Pushed into a corner by the furore, Chowdhury said it was a ‘slip of the tongue’ and an ‘error’, and he will personally meet the President and apologize, if she had felt bad.

“I cannot even think of insulting the President. It was just a mistake. If the President felt bad, I will personally meet her and apologise. They can hang me if they want. I am ready to get punished, but why is she (Sonia Gandhi) being dragged in this?” asked Chowdhury.

The Congress leader has also that he won’t apologize to ‘these pakhandis’ (hypocrites), referring to BJP leaders.

Lok Sabha had to be adjourned for an hour as BJP members strongly protested against Chowdhury’s comment. The chaos continued when the House reassembled, forcing BJP member Rajendra Agarwal, who was in the Chair at that time, to adjourn proceedings till 4 pm.