'Spoke to rural women in their way': RJD leader expresses regret over 'lipstick' remark

RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui has expressed regret over his remark that only those with lipsticks and bob-cut hairstyles would be benefited from women's reservation.

"In that rally, hundreds of rural women were present. I used that language only to make them understand. My intention was not to hurt anyone... If someone is hurt, I express regret... It was a gathering of extremely backward classes and I was teaching them... RJD had been in support of Women's Reservation since the beginning," said Siddiqui.

The controversy started after a video surfaced in which Siddiqui said, "Those with lipsticks and bob cut hairstyles would come forward in the name of women's reservation. The government should instead provide reservations for women belonging to backward communities," Abdul Bari Siddiqui said.

The statement has been criticised by several BJP leaders, including Union Minister Kaushal Kishore and MP Sunita Duggal.

"Women coming to the Parliament, after winning the elections, are not only keeping forward the rights of women but also the rights of the public and every common man... Just like the two wheels of a vehicle, women and men in the Parliament and Vidhan Sabha will work together to make laws for public interests," said Kishore.

"This shows their narrow mindset... Women are making a mark in every area... Giving such statements represents their rude mentality...They want women to do only household work and not contribute to the outside world," said Duggal.

Also watch: RJD leader's 'lipstick and bob cut' remark on women's quota sparks row