Maharashtra Minister Gulabrao Patil apologises for remarking about "roads like Hema Malini's cheeks."
His views were sharply criticised by Hema Malini, a BJP MP from Mathura, and the state women's commission
Gulabrao Patil, a Maharashtra minister and senior Shiv Sena leader who sparked outrage by comparing the roads in his Jalgaon district seat to actress Hema Malini's cheeks, has finally apologised.
"If my statement has hurt anyone, I apologise for it, but I didn't intend to hurt anyone," Maharashtra minister Gulabrao Patil said on Tuesday.
His views were sharply criticised by Hema Malini, a BJP MP from Mathura, and the state women's commission. The video of his statements, which he delivered on Saturday while speaking at an electoral meeting in his area in north Maharashtra for the Bodwad Nagar Panchayat votes, went viral on social media.
During his address, Patil challenged his opponents to come to his constituency and witness how good the roads are.
"Those who have been MLAs for 30 years should come to my constituency and see the roads. If they are not like Hema Malini's cheeks, then I will resign," the water supply and sanitation minister said, apparently targeting former BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who was an MLA from Jalgaon for several years.
The chairman of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, Rupali Chakankar, protested to the remarks and threatened the minister with legal action if he did not issue a public apology.
"The commission has taken note of the comment. If the minister doesn't tender an apology, he will have to face legal action," Chakankar said in a video statement on Sunday.
Patil apologised for his statement a few hours after she issued her warning. The Minister, speaking to media in Dhule, stated, "I didn't wish to cause anyone any harm. Please accept my apologies for the negative feedback. I am a Shiv Sena member who worships Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Balasaheb Thackeray, the party's founder, taught us to respect women."
Hema Malini, a BJP MP, responded to Patil's remarks by saying that they were not in "good taste," especially coming from an elected lawmaker.
Lalu Prasad Yadav initiated the custom a few years ago, according to the Mathura BJP MP, and many others followed suit.
