Mumbai: A noted right-wing leader in Maharashtra told a female journalist that he would not speak to her for not wearing a caste mark on her forehead.
Sambhaji Bhide, who heads the outfit Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, met Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde at the secretariat in South Mumbai, according to India Today.
As he emerged from the meeting journalists approached him including the female journalist who was not wearing a bindi.
A video of the incident showed the Bhide directing the journalist that she should put on a bindi before taking his byte.
Comparing a woman to Bharat Mata, he told the journalist that she should not appear like a ' window' without putting on a bindi.
Taking note of the video, Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar sought an explanation from Bhide for his remarks.
In 2018, Sambhaji Bhide was accused of orchestrating violence in Pune during the 200-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima Koregaon Battle.
Following the incident, Dalits across the state whipped up massive protests.
Meanwhile, Pune police charged Bhide other under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and other various sections of the IPC.
Later talking to India Today he claimed to have never been involved in dividing communities.
Bhide again courted controversy in 2018 when he said that a couple who ate mangoes from his orchard were blessed with sons.