Goa Minister’s Offensive Comment About Women Triggers Controversy

He said that women are so immersed in TV serials that they forget to make tea or enquire about their husbands

Goa Art and Culture Minister, Dayanand Mandrekar. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/The Goan)

Goa's Art and Culture Minister Dayanand Mandrekar's statement on Wednesday – that women are so immersed in TV serials that they forget to make tea or enquire about their husbands, who return weary from work – has triggered controversy. He was speaking at an awards function organised by the state Arts and Culture Ministry, in Panaji.

Today, she is so immersed in the TV, that the fact that her husband has arrived home and has changed clothes does not matter to her. She is not even in the frame of mind to ask him whether he would like to have a cup of tea or not.

Dayanand Mandrekar

He added that because of good shows on television, even if there is a good programme in the village, people “don’t care”.

He added that the fervour for watching TV serials is such that people "do not even care about religious festivals in the village".

The Congress on Thursday, claimed that Mandrekar's comments reflect the "khap mentality" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, especially vis-a-vis women.

This is nothing but the real underlying khap mentality of its leaders. Demeaning women is not new to them. While the party claims it has a modern outlook, the comments made by Mandrekar against women, reflects the sad reality of their mindset.

Sunil Kawthankar, Congress spokesperson

(With inputs from IANS)