'Shows Their Respect Towards Women': Karnataka WCD Minister Slams Ex-BJP MLA Over 'Extra Peg' Remark

Karnataka Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar slammed former BJP MLA Sanjay Patil for his comment suggesting that she should take a sleeping pill or an ‘extra peg’ to sleep well at night.

Patil made the controversial remark at a party gathering in Karnataka’s Belagavi on Saturday. Lakshmi Hebbalkar’s son, Mrinal, is the Congress candidate for the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat.

“Hebbalkar will not get good sleep looking at the rising support of women for the BJP in Belagavi. It will also be difficult for her to see Ramesh Jarkiholi campaigning there. She has to have a sleeping pill or an extra peg to get a good night’s sleep,” Patil remarked at the meeting.

Responding to Patil’s remark, Hebbalkar in a video statement, said that his comments reflect the respect the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has towards women, NDTV reported.

“This shows the respect BJP has towards women. This is the hidden agenda of BJP. It’s not enough if you chant Ram, beti pachao, beti padhao; you must respect women,” rebuked Hebbalkar, adding, “It’s our Hindu culture. The remark of Sanjay Patil, who gives speeches about Hindu culture, is a disrespect not just to me but to all the women of the state and the nation.”

In March 2021, BJP leader Ramesh Jarkiholi faced a huge scandal after local news channels aired sexual content from a CD allegedly involving him. Following the incident, the ruling BJP in Karnataka removed him from the cabinet.