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Bhopal: Following alleged derogatory remarks against a woman leader in Madhya Pradesh, state Congress chief Jitu Patwari was booked on Friday, reports PTI.
Patwari, who apologized for his remark later, was booked in an FIR filed in Dabra town in Gwalior following a complaint by the BJP leader Imarti Devi.
The alleged remarks were condemned by the BJP national leadership, including minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and other leaders.
The row started after an audio clip surfaced on social media in which a woman can be heard supporting the Congress candidates from Bhind and Gwalior Lok Sabha seats. There were claims that the voice belonged to Imarti Devi, an ex-MLA and ex-minister from Dabra. However, Imarti denied the claims and called it a conspiracy.
When Patwari was asked about the clip and surrounding allegations, he allegedly made comments using wordplay with the term 'imarti', a popular sweet.
A train of stark criticism followed Patwari's statement. BJP leaders termed his remarks an insult to women.
"These are not just his words but the mentality of the entire Congress party. Insulting Dalits, especially women, has become the norm of this party. Babasaheb Ambedkar has inspired the women and Dalits of the country to fight for their respect," Mr Scindia wrote on X on Thursday.
He shared a video in which Patwari could be heard making the remark and said that Dalit brothers and sisters of Madhya Pradesh will take revenge for the "cheap" comment.
On Friday morning, Patwari took it to X to apologize for issuing the remarks. He wrote, "One of my statements is being distorted and presented in the wrong context. My intention was only to avoid answering the question. Imarti ji is like my elder sister. An elder sister is like a mother. I express my regret if anyone is still hurt."
Patwari was booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 509 (insult the modesty of any woman) and provisions of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, police informed.