Writer’s remarks on Umashree draw flak

Such anti-women comments are unacceptable: AG

The remarks reportedly made by litterateur C.P. Krishnakumar about Minister of State for Women and Child Development Umashree at a recent function in Mysore came in for criticism at a workshop here on Saturday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the workshop on women and the law, Advocate-General Ravivarma Kumar said the writer had referred to the Minister being a professional actor before joining politics and had described her as a decorative doll. He said that such anti-women comments were unacceptable.

The writer had made the remark while criticising the government and the Minister for the delay in nominations to cultural academies.

‘Surprising’

It was unfortunate and surprising that women activists had not taken exception to the comments, which were disrespectful to women, Mr. Kumar said. When a woman in a position of power was the subject of such sexist remarks, the plight of those more vulnerable could only be far worse, he said.

Umashree’s reaction

Reacting to the controversy, Ms. Umashree said that she did not wish to react because people of the State and her party were already convinced of her credentials.

“As he is a senior man, I will take it as a word of caution rather than take offence,” she said.

Speaking on the absence of women in key fields, Mr. Kumar said there was only one woman in the 34-member State Cabinet and only two women among the 40 judges in the Karnataka High Court. The Constitution not only ensured gender equality, but also measures to ensure that women were provided opportunities, he added.

‘Need to revise laws’

Ms. Umashree said that while there were laws for women and children, there was a need to revise them as times and values changed. There was also a need to see how officials who failed to implement pro-women and pro-children laws and programmes should be dealt with, she added.