The National Commission for Women has accused Ashutosh of defending Sandeep Kumar.
Highlights
- In ndtv.com blog, AAP's Ashutosh wrote about minister sacked for sex CD
- Ashutosh column written before woman filed rape case
- National Commission for Women summoned Ashutosh for column
Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh said today that he would appear before the country's top women's rights body to explain a column he wrote for ndtv.com on the removal of Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar over a sex scandal.
The National Commission for Women has called Ashutosh's comments "reprehensible and demeaning".
"I have decided to appear before NCW tomorrow as I have been asked by the panel, to present my views (sic)," Ashutosh said in tweet today. He is scheduled to meet NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam tomorrow at 11:30 am tomorrow.
Ashutosh's column for ndtv.com was published on Thursday before Sandeep Kumar, 36, was accused of rape by a woman who featured in a sex video with him.
Ashutosh, said in his blog that the sexual act was a private and consensual one, that the media over-reacted to the scandal and exaggerated its import, and that the party sacked Mr Kumar because of "perception management."
Speaking to NDTV on the summon last week, Ms Kumaramangalam said Ashutosh should "admit to his mistake in defending the sacked minister'. She said the tone of the piece was derogatory towards women.
Ashutosh in response to the summons had tweeted on Monday saying, "I hope Lalitha Kumarmangalam, member of BJP Nat Ex/chairman NCW is summoning every writer who wrote about consensual sex. NO pick and choose (sic)."
Ms Kumaramangalam has said Ashutosh was wrong to jump the gun and pronounce Sandeep Kumar innocent when a police investigation was on.
"The Commission has taken a note in the larger interest because we feel that as a spokesperson of a party, that governs Delhi and a party whose members have been accused of many incidents of violence against women, should not be writing a blog like this which reeks of patriarchy and misogyny." she said.
Ashutosh's column elaborates on how neither the sexual habits nor romantic relationships of Indian politicians have historically not been a cause of public concern or judgement. He lists the examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Congress and the BJP say that Ashutosh has insulted Mahatma Gandhi by referring to him in the same breath as a man who is now accused of rape. In his blog, Ashutosh refers to Gandhiji's close ties with Sarla Chaudhary.