BJP's Dilip Ghosh apologises for comments on Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata (PTI): Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday apologised for his remarks on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that triggered a massive controversy.
The apology came hours after the BJP sought an explanation from Ghosh, who was heard mocking the family background of Banerjee in a purported video clip.
Maintaining that his party and other people have reservations about his choice of words, Ghosh said, "If it is so, I am sorry for that."
The TMC filed a complaint with the Election Commission against him over his comments, alleging that it violated the model code of conduct (MCC).
Ghosh, the former state BJP president, said he has no personal enmity with the chief minister.
"This is not the first time that a controversy has erupted over my comments since I say it on the face of anyone who does any wrong," he said.
Ghosh claimed that he had only protested Banerjee's political statements.
He, however, hastened to add that though the issue of women's respect was raised over his comments, a TMC leader had used derogatory words against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and his father Sisir Adhikari.
"Does Suvendu not expect respect because he is a man?" he asked, speaking to reporters in Durgapur.
The Medinipur MP, who has been fielded from the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat this time by the BJP, on Tuesday mocked TMC's slogan of "Bangla Nijer Meye ke chai (Bengal wants its own daughter)".
"When she goes to Goa, she says she is the daughter of Goa. In Tripura, she says she is the daughter of Tripura. First, let her clarify...," he said.
BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said his party does not support such remarks about women and that too against someone who is a chief minister, and that is why an explanation was sought from Ghosh.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
