IANS/New Delhi
Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi yesterday apologised after his comment with sexist innuendo against a woman journalist from Kerala landed him in trouble with women activists and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“I’m sorry for the comment. I have already conveyed my regret for the remark to the TV channel in which the journalist works,” Ravi said.
The journalist yesterday sought Ravi’s reaction over demands to make Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson P J Kurien stand trial in the Suryanelli sex scam.
Ravi responded with a swipe at the reporter, asking if she had a personal grudge against Kurien.
“Do you have anything personal against Kurien? I’m sure you do. Has something happened between you and him in the past?” Ravi said as his comments were caught on camera.
National Commission for Woman chairperson Mamta Sharma said the commission would probe the matter.
“Coming from the position of power and maturity, it is really highly deplorable that he has made such a sexist comment,” said rights activist Ranjana Kumari. She said the issue should be raised in parliament as “this has become almost a habit of the political class.”
“If he lost control, definitely the apology is justified,” said BJP spokeswoman Nirmala Sitharaman.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said Ravi has apologised for his comments and the matter should rest there.
Meanwhile, Kurien met Congress president Sonia Gandhi yesterday, sources said here.
According to the sources, Kurien explained his position to Gandhi.
Kurien has been dragged into the Suryanelli rape case again, after the victim, now 32 years old, repeatedly claimed that he was among those who exploited her in 1996.