Mahua Moitra and Rekha Sharma engaged in a war of words
New Delhi: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra sparked a massive row after she took a dig at National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma over her visit to Hathras where a stampede killed as many as 121 people on July 2. Sharma had visited the site on July 4 and a man was seen holding an umbrella for her as she walked amid drizzling.
Moitra commented on a video showing Rekha Sharma’s arrival at the site of Hathras stampede. The video shows a man walking behind, holding an umbrella over her. The video was shared on X, with a social media user questioning why Rekha Sharma could not carry her own umbrella.
Mahua Moitra responded to the tweet, saying, “She (Rekha Sharma) is too busy holding up her boss’s pajamas”.
NCW Seeks FIR Against Mahua
The crude remark drew a sharp reaction from the NCW, which sought registration of an FIR against Moitra.
“The National Commission for Women has taken suo moto cognizance of the derogatory remark made by Ms. Mahua Moitra, Member of Parliament, against Ms. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, NCW. The crude remarks are outrageous and a violation of a woman’s right to dignity.”
It added, “The Commission observed that this remark attracts Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023. NCW strongly condemns these defamatory remarks and requests strict action against Ms. Moitra. An FIR should be registered against Ms. Moitra and a detailed action report should be communicated to the Commission within 3 days.”
Mahua Moitra replied, “Come on @DelhiPolice please take action immediately on these suo moto orders. Am in Nadia in case you need me in the next 3 days to make a quick arrest. I Can Hold My Own Umbrella.”
Mahua Moitra Vs Rekha Sharma
Rekha Sharma and Mahua Moitra engaged in a war of words following the remark and the NCW chief called the TMC MP a “troller”.
“She is not interested in her work but just trolling people, and I don’t give my time to trollers,” the NCW chief said attacking Mahua Moitra. Rekha Sharma also clarified about the incident and said she was not inside the umbrella. “I didn’t ask for it nor did I realised that someone is carrying umbrella as there was so much rush & I was engrossed in the situation & talking to people,” the NCW chief said in a post.
Mahua Moitra was quick to respond to NCW’s statement, challenging Delhi Police to take action against her.
In another tweet, Mahua Moitra shared screenshots of Rekha Sharma’s previous remarks and wrote, “Also @DelhiPolice while you’re at it can you please register an FIR against another serial offender under your new Act. I Can Hold My Old Umbrella.”
Rekha Sharms replied to her tweet with a picture where someone can be seen holding an umbrella for Mahua Moitra and wrote, “See she can hold her own umbrella so nicely.”
NCW Chief Rekha Sharma also wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Delhi CP over Mahua Moitra’s remarks.
BJP Slams Mahua Moitra
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday lashed out at Mahua Moitra over her remark against Rekha Sharma and flagged it as “extremely indecent, objectionable, and shameful”.
He posted a screenshot of Moitra’s comment and sought her expulsion from party, claiming that it was the “true face” of the TMC and the Opposition.
“MP Mahua Moitra who justified and remained silent during Sandeshkhali, Chopra Talibani flogging, silent on Swati Maliwal now makes a disgusting comment at a women that too the NCW Chief,” he said.
Poonawalla also attacked the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party for their silence on Moitra’s comment, “Will Priyanka Vadra, Rahul Gandhi, (Mallikarjun) Kharge ji, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Chaturvedi, AAP call this out?”
“Will Mamata Didi act on her? Nope, just like they remained silent on Sandeshkhali and (flogging of a couple) in Chopra (West Bengal),” he added.
