Somnath Bharti Somnath Bharti

National Commission for Women Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam today dismissed as “ridiculous” the “beautiful women” remarks of former Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti and asked political parties to frame a code of conduct so as to not cross the “lakshman rekha”.

“There is this unfortunate tendency among male politicians across (party) lines. It has nothing to do with parties and religious leaders who make this ridiculous statement. I have repeatedly condemned it,” she told reporters here.

“I think there should be some sort of code of conduct within the party, perhaps, if not for MPs and MLAs, where they are actually taught that you should not go beyond a certain line – that we call the Laxman Rekha in India,” she said.

Such remarks are simply manifestations of the patriachical society, she added.

Bharti had created a storm on Monday by saying that “beautiful women” would be able to go out at midnight provided AAP government takes over policing system in Delhi.

His comments evoked sharp reaction from the BJP and the Congress. Later, he defended his statement, writing on his Facebook page, “I request media friends not to twist my statement: I have said “beautiful women laden with jewelries can travel at midnight fearlessly is the kind of benchmark one can measure security level at Delhi against, if AAP has police control.”

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