Mumbai: After a day-long protest at Vakola police station by activist Anjali Damania, the police has registered a first information report (FIR) against former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister Eknath Khadse for his alleged obscene remarks against the ex-Aam Aadmi Party leader. Khadse kicked off the controversy on September 2 while giving a speech at his hometown Muktainagar in Jalgaon district during his birthday celebration.
A Youtube video of the speech shows Khadse allegedly saying, “The mangoes at my farm are bigger than Ms Damania’s”. However, Khadse has denied making any such remarks. The former minister allegedly made these remarks while describing his mango orchard, which apparently grew in 10 years.
Ms Damania had been insisting since Wednesday that the police register an FIR and sat on protest since Wednesday night along with her activists. She said she has also written to the state women’s commission seeking action against Khadse.
However, there was no reaction from the women’s commission when The Asian Age contacted its chief Vijaya Rahatkar through phone calls and text message.
“The police has finally registered the FIR. I sat on fast the entire night demanding that Khadse be booked and arrested for his obscene remarks about me. The remarks by the BJP leader was outraging the modesty of a woman and not at all acceptable,” Ms Damania said.
Kailashchanda Awhad, senior police inspector of Vakola police station, said, “Anjali Damania has registered an FIR on Thursday evening under section 509 of the Indian Penal Code that pertains to insulting the modesty of a woman by word, gesture or act. The investigation is proceeding with teams being sent to Jalgaon.”
On Wednesday, Jalgaon district superintendent of police Dattatreya Karale said, “Police will record statements of the persons concerned.”
Earlier, refuting the charges by Ms Damania, Khadse had said, “I have never made any obscene remarks against her. I have not taken any name in my speech. There are many Damania in the society. I do not have any intention to insult a woman.”
