Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Feb 4: As campaigning for the Jamshedpur Municipal Corporation elections intensifies, the political slugfest has taken a troubling turn, sliding from sharp rhetoric into personal attacks. Former Health Minister and Jamshedpur West MLA Banna Gupta is facing mounting backlash after making what women’s groups have termed “derogatory and irresponsible” remarks during a recent press conference.
The comments have sparked widespread anger among women across the city.
On Wednesday, a delegation of women led by social activist Kavita Parmar submitted a formal complaint to the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, East Singhbhum, demanding strict action against the former minister.
In the memorandum, Kavita Parmar stated that Banna Gupta had publicly dragged the name of a woman who has no political affiliation and no role in the ongoing elections.
She described the act as “unthinkable and deeply condemnable,” asserting that involving a private individual—especially a woman—in political discourse violates basic norms of decency.
Citing the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the delegation accused the former minister of multiple violations, including:
Attack on personal life:The MCC strictly prohibits leaders from making comments on the personal character or private life of any individual during political campaigns.
Insult to women’s dignity: Election Commission guidelines clearly state that derogatory, defamatory or insulting remarks against women undermine the principles of free and fair elections.
Polluting the electoral environment: Such statements, the complaint noted, encourage mudslinging and lower the dignity of democratic processes.
Speaking to the media, Kavita Parmar said that the former minister’s conduct has been controversial in the past as well, repeatedly bringing disrepute to Jamshedpur. “Women will not tolerate such behavior anymore. Do not test our patience,” she warned, urging the authorities to act decisively to set a strong precedent.
The issue has now put the spotlight on campaign ethics in the ongoing civic polls, with women’s organizations demanding accountability and respect in political discourse.
