NCW summons Congress leader Adhir for 'Rashtrapatni' remark, seeks Sonia's intervention

New Delhi: The National Commission for Women on Thursday issued a notice to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to appear before it in person and tender a written explanation for calling President Droupadi Murmu 'Rashtrapatni'.

The NCW chief Rekha Sharma condemned his remarks as "sexist" and stated that it shows his "mindset towards women".

Speaking to ANI, the NCW chief said, "The remark of Parliamentarian Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury towards the President of India is very derogatory. This sexist remark shows his mindset towards women. When he can speak like this towards the highest authority of India, how must he be behaving with others?"

"He must apologize, in writing. His party president should take action against him. We have also written to Sonia Gandhi Ji regarding the same. NCW has summoned AR Chowdhury; he must come and apologize," Sharma added.

Chowdhury on Thursday called President Murmu 'rashtrapatni', a remark for which he said was a slip of tongue and that he would apologise to the President personally. The remark sparked a row as the BJP demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi.

Earlier on Thursday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) along with Chairpersons and other senior officials of different State Commissions for Women jointly condemned the objectionable remarks made by MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury against the President of India Droupadi Murmu, an official statement said.

In a joint statement, Chairperson Rekha Sharma and Chairpersons and representatives of State Commissions of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Telangana, Tripura, Odisha, Maharashtra, Manipur, and Rajasthan, who were present at the quarterly meeting in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh have condemned the words used by Chowdhury as an attempt to humiliate the President.

Observing that the remarks made are extremely derogatory, sexist, and condemnable, the Commission has taken cognizance of the matter, the press note from NCW stated.

NCW has sent a notice to Chowdhury to appear before the Commission in person and to tender a written explanation for his remarks.

The hearing has been scheduled for August 3 at 11:30 am.

Earlier in the day, amid backlash over the "rashtrapatni" remark, Chowdhury said that he can't even think of insulting President Droupadi Murmu and he will personally meet her and apologise.