Women activist slams JD (U) leader Ali Anwar's remark on Textile Minister Smriti Irani

New Delhi: Former National Commission for Women (NCW) member, Shamina Shafiq, on Thursday lashed out at the Janata Dal (United) leader, Ali Anwar for his 'absurd' remark on the newly-appointed Textile Minister, Smriti Irani, saying such statements embolden criminal elements in the society. After Irani's portfolio was changed from the HRD Ministry to the Textile Ministry in a major Cabinet re-shuffle earlier this week, Anwar said, "Good that Irani has been elected as textile minister; it will help her cover body." Dubbing Anwar's remark as 'shameful', Shafiq said where would women go for their rights if leaders in the country harbour such mindset. "It is a shameful remark. If these politicians do not have manners to talk, then they better keep quite. Leaving alone respecting women, these people do not know how to behave. Where will women go for their rights if our leaders are like him? This kind of behaviour emboldens criminal elements. He should apologise," she said. Ali Anwar, on the other hand, denied the charges and said some sections in the media are portraying him in a negative light. When asked if he would apologise for his remark, Anwar asked the media to apologise first, as it had misquoted him. Anwar, however, said the statement was made in regard to the Textile Ministry as a whole and was not directed against the minister.