DMK MP Kanimozhi protests over women being used to lighten moments in Parliament

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi on Saturday said she fails to understand why women are being used to lighten moments in Parliament during serious discussions.

Kanimozhi, who was reacting to Sharad Yadav's 'dark-skinned south Indian women' comment during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, said, "Yes, it happened, I mean I am not blaming any particular individual or any leader, but I really don't understand why should a woman being used to lighten moments in the parliament during a serious discussion."

"I don't think I am the only one who has protested. In the Parliament, of course, I raised an objection and so many others have raised their voice against this outside the Parliament. Many MPs have also expressed their concern and they have questioned it," she added.

Kanimozhi also asked why does woman has to be treated like objects. "It was completely like a woman being created for men to decide which class she has to belong, what their preferences would be..unless it is a serious discussion I don't think there is a need to be discussing it in a lighter way. It is really not right," she added.

The JD (U) chief had made a sexist comment on south Indian women in the Rajya Sabha. The senior politician from Bihar talked about the Indian obsession with fair skin during a debate on the Insurance Bill. "Your god is dark like Ravi Shankar Prasad (present in the House), but your matrimonial ads insist on white-skinned brides," he said as the male members burst into laughter. "The women of the south are dark but they are as beautiful as their bodies...We don't see it here. They know dance," he added while discussing the complexion of south Indian women.

The JD (U) chief's remark, however, did not go well with the women lawmakers, with DMK MP Kanimozhi strongly objecting to it.