'Latka-Jhatka' Jibe: FIR Lodged Against UP Congress Leader Ajay Rai For Remarks Against Smriti Irani

Irani said that Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi needed a new scriptwriter in response to the statement.

Union Minister Smriti Irani during the first day of the Parliament's Winter Session.

Source : File Photo/PTI

New Delhi: A case has been registered against Congress leader Ajay Rai for making the remark "latka-jhatka" about Union minister Smriti Irani, an official said on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. The Uttar Pradesh Congress leader on Monday took a jibe at Irani, saying she just comes to her constituency Amethi to show "latkas" and "jhatkas", an unattractive reference to dance moves that incited a sharp reaction from the BJP.

Station House Officer of Roberstganj Police Station, Balmukund Mishra, told PTI, "A case has been registered against Ajay Rai on the complaint lodged by BJP's mahila morcha head of Sonbhdra Pushpa Singh at the Robertsganj Police Station."

The Indian Penal Code's sections 354(A), 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) have been used to register the case. Section 354(A) addresses sexual harassment and the punishment for sexual harassment.

When asked by reporters whether Gandhi would run for the Lok Sabha in 2024 from Amethi, Rai responded, "It has been the seat of the Gandhi family. Rahul ji has been the Lok Sabha MP from there. So has been Rajiv (Gandhi) ji and Sanjay (Gandhi) ji, and they have served it."

"Most of the factories in Amethi are on the verge of closure. Half of the factories in Jagdishpur industrial area are lying shut. Smriti Irani only comes, shows 'latka-jhatka', and leaves," Rai, who is a regional chief of the party had said.

At the moment, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Irani represents Amethi in the Lok Sabha.

Irani said that Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi needed a new scriptwriter in response to the statement.

"You and Mummy ji need to get your mysoginistic (misogynist) goons a new speechwriter,” the Union Minister for Women and Child Development had said. 

(With PTI Inputs)