BJP's Kailash Vijayvargiya under fire for body-shaming woman councillor at event
Vijayvargiya was heard telling woman councillor Sandhya Yadav that she had "put on a little weight" as she approached the microphone during the event.
Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has courted controversy after making a remark about the physical appearance of a woman councillor during a public programme in Indore. A video of the body-shaming has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and drawing criticism from the Opposition Congress.
The incident took place on Sunday during the inauguration of infrastructure development works in Indore. Vijayvargiya was present at the programme, where woman ward councillor Sandhya Yadav was also in attendance.
During the event, Yadav was walking towards the microphone stand when Vijayvargiya commented on her physical appearance.
"Sandhya didi ki bhi chaudai badh gayi hai thodi si (Sandhya didi has also put on a little weight)," Vijayvargiya is heard saying in the video.
The minister made the remark as Yadav approached the microphone stand. A party worker was walking behind her, and Vijayvargiya made the comment after the worker moved out of view.
The video has since surfaced on social media, triggering criticism from the Congress and sparking a political exchange between the two parties over the minister's remarks.
AICC media coordinator Neelabh Shukla termed the comment “condemnable” and criticised Vijayvargiya for referring to the woman councillor's physical appearance.
Shukla said the BJP frequently speaks about respecting women, but alleged that comments about women's physical appearance by BJP leaders had become a recurring practice, including in the case of a woman councillor from the party.