Kolkata, December 27
President Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijit sparked off a major controversy by describing women participating in the Delhi protests against the gang rape of a student as “highly dented and painted”, triggering an angry backlash.

Abhijit, a Congress Member of Parliament from the Jangipur constituency, which the President had vacated before his election, alleged that it had become a rage now for fashionable women to take to the streets, holding candles and registering their so-called protests against injustice done to women.

“Those who are coming to the rallies in the name of students are ‘sundori, sundori mahila’ (beautiful women), highly dented and painted,” Abhijit Mukherjee told a local news channel.

“They are giving interviews on the television and showing off their children. I wonder whether they are students at all,” he said, adding: “What’s basically happening in Delhi is something like pink revolution, which has very little connection with ground realities.”

“Walking in candlelight processions, going to discotheques, we have also led a students’ life, we have been students. I know what the character of a student should be,” he said.

Abhijit’s remarks drew sharp criticism from the general public as well as President’s daughter Sharmistha, who expressed “utter shock and anguish” and apologised on his behalf.

“I really apologise to every women, man and every sensitive person in this country... I am quite surprised with

what my brother said. He should apologise immediately,” Sharmistha said. Abhijit “withdrew” his comments and said they were not meant to hurt “any particular section or any particular sentiment”.

Women activists and political leaders were unimpressed with the apology. CPM leader Brinda Karat said political leaders could not be allowed to get away with an apology after making such “outrageous and condemnable remarks”.