"Women deserve respect": Karnataka Minister's wife files complaint with Women's Commission against BJP media cell

"I have filed a complaint with the Karnataka Women's Commission against the BJP for their continuous derogatory and communal remarks against me, despite my lack of involvement in active politics. Attacking a woman is petty. Women deserve respect, not abuse," Tabassum Rao posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

In her complaint, she stated, "I am writing to bring to your notice a disturbing incident involving the BJP's Twitter (X) handle, which has made disparaging remarks against me and referred to my community. As the wife of Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, I have been subjected to unwarranted attacks and communal references, solely because of my marriage and my Muslim faith."

She also mentioned that she had already filed a defamation suit against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for previous derogatory comments.

"As someone who is not involved in politics, I find it reprehensible that my personal life and community are being dragged into the political arena. It is unacceptable to target family members of politicians simply because of their relationships," she said.

Rao has urged the Commission to take strong action against the BJP office-bearers and those handling the party's social media accounts for making derogatory comments about her, which she said have damaged her reputation and caused emotional distress.

"I request the Commission to take strict action against the state BJP office bearers and those managing their social media accounts," she reiterated.

This development follows a controversy sparked by Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao's remarks about Veer Savarkar on Thursday.

The controversy arose when, during the release of the Kannada version of Gandhi's Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and His Idea of India on October 2, Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated, "Savarkar was not opposed to cow slaughter. He was a Chitpavan Brahmin, but he ate non-vegetarian food. In that sense he was a modernist. While some say he ate beef, it is certain that, as a Brahmin, he consumed meat and openly promoted eating it."

He further said, "Gandhiji was a vegetarian and held strong beliefs in Hinduism. However, his actions were different; he was a democratic person. Jinnah was a staunch Islamist who consumed wine, and some claim he even ate pork. But he became a Muslim icon. He was not a fundamentalist, but Savarkar was. Jinnah compromised his philosophy to become the president or prime minister, following a secular philosophy."

Criticising the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha, Rao challenged their narrative and ideology.

"To fight against the growing fundamentalist ideology of the RSS and Hindu Mahasabha, we must understand key aspects. While there is increasing awareness among the public, how we respond is crucial. Many people are traditional, but that does not mean fundamentalism is their core belief," he added. (ANI)