Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ram Kadam from Mumbai’s Ghatkopar west constituency landed in a controversy on Monday night after he allegedly promised young men attending his dahi handi celebration that he would kidnap the girl they liked, even if she said no to the proposal of marriage.
“If you propose to a girl and she rejects it, you come to me with your parents. If they too like the girl, what will I do? I will kidnap her and give her to you,” Mr. Kadam told the audience.
A video of the MLA’s speech, in which he even gives his mobile number, was first shared on Twitter by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Jitendra Awhad. “How can women in this country remain safe if ruling party MLAs openly boast about kidnapping women?” asked Mr. Awhad. The NCP reacted sharply saying BJP’s ‘Ram’ has shown his real face and that is of ‘Ravana.’
‘Statement misconstrued’
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Kadam said his statement was misconstrued, taken out of context and it was nothing but a joke. “If anyone is hurt by my statement, I extend my apology,” he said.
The BJP’s State unit distanced itself from the controversy with party spokesperson Madhav Bhandari saying that Mr. Kadam will himself explain his statement.
BJP’s ally Shiv Sena too slammed Mr. Kadam. Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray demanded an apology from Mr. Kadam, adding it is a disgrace that the Maharashtra Assembly has members like him.
“One BJP MLA has offered from a stage to help boys kidnap girls and marry them even against the will of the girls. I guess he believes marriage is like forming a govt. Ashamed and disgraced that he sits in the legislative assembly of Maharashtra — a land of culture & women liberty,” Mr. Thackeray tweeted. The Sena leader also demanded to know from Home Minister and CM Devendra Fadnavis as to what action will be taken against him.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra State Women’s Commission president Vijaya Rahatkar said, “The statements made by MLA Ram Kadam are controversial. He has claimed that his comments have been distorted. However, even if that is the case, one should not speak about women in this manner. Not just him, all elected representatives must have patience while they speak about women. They should speak thoughtfully and ensure that their comments do not hurt anybody’s sentiments.”
Mr. Kadam, who started his political career with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), had won the 2009 Assembly election as MNS candidate. He was suspended for four years, along with three other MNS MLAs, in the first session of the Assembly after the 2009 poll for assaulting Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi inside the Assembly hall. MNS MLAs attacked Mr. Azmi as he took oath in Hindi, while the MNS wanted every MLA in Maharashtra to take the oath in Marathi. The suspension was later revoked. He was also part of the confrontation inside the Assembly building with a policeman, along with another MLA.
He joined the BJP before the 2014 poll and was soon included in the list of State party spokespersons. On Monday, Mr. Fadnavis too had attended his dahi handi event, where Mr. Kadam went on to say that he was the ‘Hanuman’ of the CM.
Inside the Assembly, Mr. Kadam is always seen aggressively defending Mr. Fadnavis against the Opposition. In the 2018 monsoon session he demanded the resignation of Leader of Opposition for making graft allegations against Mr. Fadnavis.
