Speaking in Rajasthan on Thursday, Mr Kamat referred to Ms Irani as a “poncha lagane waali (one who mops floors)” in an attack that questioned the minister’s credentials to have charge of the education portfolio.
“We have sent a showcause notice to Gurudas Kamat on his remarks about Smriti Irani… Have asked him to reply to this notice in a week’s time,” said Lalitha Kumaramangalam, chairperson of the National Commission for Women.
Mr Kamat, who made the remarks against Ms Irani while campaigning for local body elections in the BJP-ruled state, had said, “Her family’s financial condition was not good; therefore, she worked in a hotel in Versova. Since, Smriti was only 10th pass, she used to mop floors.”
While Ms Irani’s party, the BJP lashed out at Mr Kamat, he also earned severe criticism from others. “You can comment on her work and her qualification etc. But by saying that in past she used to do house hold work and now she is working as a minister is wrong. You can’t disrespect women like this,” said K Kavitha of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi or TRS.
The BJP’s Sambit Patra tweeted, “So very pained to hear what Congress leader Gurudas Kamat said about HRD Minister Smt Smriti Irani ..has Politics come down to this level?”
Ashok Parnami, the BJP’s Rajasthan chief was quoted by the Indian Express as saying that the Congress leader’s comments smacked of desperation. “These sort of shallow statements against women show the Congress’ desperation,” he said.
On Twitter, there is an outpouring of support for Ms Irani.
What is the problem of Gurudas Kamat? @smritiirani was not committing any crime by working in a restaurant!
#IStandWithMMS (@PriyabrataT) July 31, 2015
Mr Kamat has been torn apart in scathing tweets.
Mr.Gurudas Kamat Jharoo-pochha always helps in cleaning.but nobody can clean your sick & dirty mind @KamatGurudas@smritiirani@vijai63
Chandra Prakash (@chandra007) July 31, 2015
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