AAP MLA’s sexist remark about Hema Malini sparks outrage; BJP demands action

BJP slams AAP MLA for disrespecting women and the local community

A remark made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Naresh Balyan, comparing the smoothness of roads in his constituency to the cheeks of Bollywood actress-turned-politician Hema Malini, has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with the BJP demanding swift action against him.

In a video that quickly went viral on social media, Balyan was heard saying, “All works will be completed swiftly by the 35th of the month, and will make Uttam Nagar’s roads like Hema Malini’s cheeks.” The comment, which many have labeled as misogynistic and offensive, was made during a live Facebook session on Monday.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor was quick to condemn Balyan’s statement, calling it an “insult to women” and a slap in the face to the residents of Uttam Nagar. Kapoor charged that the AAP MLA not only demeaned women with his inappropriate comparison but also disrespected the people of Uttam Nagar by making light of the poor condition of the area’s roads. He also pointed out the bizarre reference to the “35th of the month,” accusing Balyan of further embarrassing himself and his constituency.

“The MLA’s comment shows a complete lack of respect for women and for the people of Uttam Nagar. If this is how an elected representative behaves, it reflects poorly on the values of AAP. Arvind Kejriwal must immediately expel this MLA for such offensive remarks,” Kapoor demanded.

The remarks sparked widespread outrage, even among those within the AAP’s political circle. AAP’s own MLA Swati Maliwal, who is known for her work on women’s rights, condemned the comment as “anti-women” and called for strong action against Balyan.

दिल्ली के उत्तम नगर से विधायक नरेश बाल्यान का कहना है कि “सड़कें हेमा मालिनी के गालों जैसी बना देंगे”! इस महिला विरोधी बात की जितनी निंदा करें वो कम है।

ये आदमी पूरे दस साल सोता रहा है जिसके चलते उत्तम नगर की सड़कें टूटी फूटी पड़ी हैं! आज भी काम न करके, सिर्फ़ अपनी घटिया सोच का… pic.twitter.com/ObXRdrbj3e

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) November 4, 2024

“Naresh Balyan says he will make Uttam Nagar’s roads like Hema Malini’s cheeks! No amount of condemnation can be enough for such a statement. This is a man who has been inactive for the last ten years, leading to the dilapidated state of the roads in Uttam Nagar. Such cheap and misogynistic thinking that objectifies women has no place in our society,” Maliwal stated. She further appealed to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena to immediately remove Balyan from his post.

Former National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma also joined the chorus of criticism, denouncing Balyan’s comment as part of a wider, troubling pattern of sexist remarks from political leaders.

“It is deeply unfortunate that political figures, particularly from the opposition, continue to make such misogynistic statements. This is not an isolated incident, as we’ve seen similar comments from other leaders like Lalu Yadav. These individuals are perpetuating a culture of disrespect towards women,” Sharma said. She called for the AAP to take strict action against Balyan, adding, “Such people should be thrown out of the system.”

While the AAP leadership has yet to issue an official response to the controversy, the incident has placed the party under mounting pressure to take swift action. Critics argue that failure to address such issues would only fuel perceptions of a party willing to tolerate misogyny in its ranks.

The comment, which has been widely shared across social media platforms, has also drawn attention to the need for greater accountability in public discourse. With the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections on the horizon, the controversy surrounding Balyan could have political ramifications for AAP if not handled with the seriousness it warrants.

As the backlash continues to grow, all eyes are now on Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena and the AAP leadership to determine whether they will distance themselves from Naresh Balyan and take meaningful steps to address the growing concerns over sexism in politics.

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