Congress MLA Faces Backlash Over Derogatory Remark Against Woman Journalist

In Karnataka, senior Congress leader and former minister R.V. Deshpande, the sitting MLA from Haliyal in Uttara Kannada district, has sparked outrage after making an offensive remark laced with sexual innuendo towards a woman journalist.

The journalist had raised concerns over the lack of hospital facilities in Joida taluk, highlighting the difficulties faced by pregnant women in the region. In response, Deshpande shockingly remarked, “When it’s time for you to have a child, I will do it for you.” When the startled journalist sought clarification, the MLA reportedly repeated his statement.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism. The Journalist Union condemned Deshpande’s comments as “deeply insulting and unacceptable,” stressing that such words are unbecoming of a senior legislator.

The JD(S) also slammed the MLA, questioning, “When a senior journalist demands a super-specialty hospital for the district, is this the kind of response that reflects your respect for women? To say, ‘I will make you pregnant when the time comes’ is nothing short of disgraceful.” The party demanded that Deshpande issue an immediate public apology, stating that his arrogant words demean the dignity of women.

The BJP, too, joined the criticism, with national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla remarking, “The Congress, which has already made derogatory statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother, is now continuing its streak of indecency towards journalists as well.”