CPM 'censures' Anisur, disowns his sexist remark against Mamata

New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday slammed its leader Anisur Rehman for his sexist remark against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Rehman, during a rally on Thursday, had questioned how much would Mamata demand as compensation if she too were sexually assaulted, referring to Mamata's demands for Rs 20,000 as compensation for rape victims.

CPM leader Brinda Karat slammed the remark as an "atrocious statement and completely unacceptable". "You have a political opponent who is a woman, you can have legitimate political criticism using political language but this kind of highly sexist, derogatory language is what we are fighting against," she said, continuing, "The party has reacted, made public censure and strongly criticised it. We have disowned it. This is against the party's culture and approach. This is done immediately. Biman Bose has already issued a statement."

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Ray said, "We respond to it with disgust. It has become the culture of the CPI-M to make insulting, derogatory comments about women."

Congress leader RPN Singh said, "Any personal attacks made by politicians, I think should be stopped. It can be the personal view of somebody but we should refrain from it."

Anisur, during a rally at Itahar in North Dinajpur, had said, "The government promises that it will do well for everyone - girls, farmers and the poor. So what's good for girls? They are being raped everyday. Mamata is decorating her house with rape victims. She used to once land up at Writers' Building, when we were in power, with rape victims seeking compensation. We used to look up and tell her that these girls won't do. Get some decent girls, in fact, nobody is more appropriate than you. You can go around saying 'I have been raped'. I asked 'didimuni' that their compensation is only Rs 20,000. 'What about yours? If someone rapes you, how much is your compensation'?"