Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a surge of outrage following sexist remarks made by spiritual leaders and a cleric against women, sparking widespread condemnation and legal action. These incidents have ignited public debate about misogyny, respect for women, and accountability within religious and political spheres.
One controversy involves Aniruddhacharya Maharaj, also known as Pookie Baba, a spiritual leader, who made derogatory comments about women in live-in relationships. In a viral video, Aniruddhacharya allegedly proclaimed the moral degradation of women living together without marriage, sparking condemnation. Disha Patani's sister, Khushboo Patani, publicly slammed Aniruddhacharya's statements as sexist and hypocritical, questioning why only women are subjected to societal expectations around cohabitation. After facing increasing negative reactions, Aniruddhacharya issued an apology, claiming his comments were directed at a few women and that the video was edited to distort his meaning; however, this did not quell the public outcry. He also suggested that the clip was manipulated using AI. The women advocates of the Mathura Bar Association have also spoken out against the comments and submitted a complaint to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).
Another incident involves Muslim cleric Maulana Sajid Rashidi, who made a derogatory comment about Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav's appearance during a television debate. Rashidi's remarks, referring to a viral image of Yadav, were denounced as misogynistic and communally provocative. An FIR was filed against Rashidi, invoking charges related to outraging a woman's modesty, promoting enmity between communities, and disrupting national integration. BJP leader Swaraj expressed shock that such a remark was made against a sitting Member of Parliament and that Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party had not spoken out. Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury also condemned the cleric's statement.
These incidents have prompted strong reactions from various quarters. Khushboo Patani has been lauded as a conscious voice fighting against misogynistic public discourse. The Samajwadi Party has demanded stringent action against Rashidi, asserting that his remarks insulted Dimple Yadav and threatened women's dignity and communal peace. The police have assured that action will be taken based on the findings of their inquiry into Rashidi's remarks.
These recent incidents highlight a persistent issue of misogyny and sexism within certain religious and political circles in Uttar Pradesh. The backlash and legal actions taken in response signal a growing intolerance for such remarks and a demand for greater accountability. It also brings attention to the importance of addressing societal double standards and ensuring respect for women in all spheres of life.
