Right-wing leader Sambhaji Bhide on Wednesday courted controversy after he refused to speak to a female television news reporter as she had not put a 'bindi' on her forehead.
The incident, caught on camera, took place after he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Mantralaya (state secretariat) in south Mumbai, and promoted the state women's commission to issue him a notice.
In a video, Sambhaji Bhide was heard telling the female reporter, who sought sound byte from him about his meeting with Eknath Shinde, that she should apply a 'bindi' (a decorative dot worn in the middle of the forehead by women) before coming to take his byte, and declined to speak to her.
He also told the journalist that a woman is akin to Bharat Mata and that she should not appear like a "widow" by not sporting a 'bindi.
Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar issued a notice to the right-wing leader seeking an explanation for his remarks.
In 2018, Mr Bhide had come under fire for his comments that couples were blessed with sons after eating mangoes from his orchard.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Poll Body Changes Maharashtra Police Chief After Opposition Alleges Bias Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Patil Withdraws From Maharashtra Polls Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test 2024 Admit Card Released, Exam On November 10 Spoke Of Reunification Under India: Sources On Lalduhoma's Viral Old Speech "Cowardly Attempts To Intimidate Diplomats": PM's 1st Comments On Canada Row Video: Air Force's MiG-29 Stalls In Flat Spin Seconds Before It Crashed What If The US Election Ends In A Trump-Kamala Harris Tie? Abortion Rights Issue Influencing Indian American Women's Voting Preference Israel Says Hit Hezbollah Intel Headquarters In Syria Strike Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.