A day after TMC minister Firhad Hakim’s remarks on BJP leader and alleged sexual assault harassment victim from Sandeshkhali, Rekha Patra, sparked a controversy, the state BJP on Friday filed a complaint with the the CEO, West Bengal, against Hakim.
In the wake of the controversy, Patra criticised Hakim’s language, calling it “deeply offensive” and an attack on women in West Bengal. She also filed a complaint against Hakim at the Sandeshkhali police station on Thursday.
A letter to the ECI signed by BJP leader Shishir Bajoria said, “This is to record our strong protest against the remarks made by Firhad Hakim targeting our candidate Rekha Patra for 18 Parliamentary constituency Basirhat in the 2024 general elections for the Lok Sabha. In the course of campaigning in 121 AC Haroa bypoll… As you know in local language the use of the word… is in a derogatory, demeaning and abusive context. Accordingly, we request the ECI to immediately censure Firhad Hakim, who has in the past many times violated the Model Code.”
Hakim, a state cabinet minister and senior TMC leader, made the alleged remarks while campaigning for TMC candidate, Rabiul Islam, in Haroa for the Assembly bypolls, on Wednesday. While he expressed regret regarding the complaint against him, he claimed that the alleged comment was not directed at any woman and he was referring to BJP’s losing candidate.
Denying the allegations, Hakim on Friday said, “I see women as mothers. Phrases… were used for poll candidates of BJP who have lost. I did not say this about any woman. Rather, I addressed Rekha Patra as a lady.”
“If my words hurt her (Rekha), I am very sorry. I would never dream of disrespecting a woman. My leader is a woman (CM), my mother, wife, daughters and granddaughters are all women and I respect all women,” he added. Bypolls in Basirhat’s Haroa constituency will be held on November 13.
During the Wednesday election campaign Firhad Hakim said, “Before Lok Sabha election a bearded man came to West Bengal. Do you remember his name?… Narendra Modi. He came to Bengal and shed tears for Sandeshkhali. The BJP also announced a candidate from Sandeshkhali. Where is that candidate? She lost… BJP loses elections. It only knows how to file cases,” Hakim had said, in an apparent reference to the BJP’s candidate from Basirhat, Rekha Patra.
Sandeshkhali falls under Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency. Patra, 31 — one of the alleged victims of sexual harassment by TMC strongmen in Sandeshkhali – was fielded by the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. Hakim’s remark triggered an uproar.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognizance and sought a detailed report from chief secretary. The BJP has filed an complaint against Firhad Hakim through email in the Bidhannagar Commissionerate as well.