Sheila Dikshit condemns Azam Khan's 'khaki underwear' remarks against Jaya Prada, demands action

Senior Congress leader and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Shiela Dikshit on Monday slammed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for his "Khaki underwear" remarks against his opponent and BJP leader Jaya Prada. Khan, infamous for making controversial statements, sparked a political storm on Sunday with his remarks against Prada, who is contesting against the SP leader from Uttar Pradesh's Rampur.

"This is highly condemnable, he owes an apology to women immediately. Its unacceptable, action should be taken against him," news agency ANI quoted the Congress leader as saying.

On Sunday, while addressing a rally in his constituency Rampur, the SP leader had said, "It took you 17 years to understand, but i reconised in just 17 days that she wear underwaer of Khaki colour."

The remarks were condemned across the party line and a notice has been issued to Khan by the National Commission for Women. Jaya Prada, the actoress-turned-politician who was once a friend of Azam Khan, said that it wasn't new for her as the leader had also made similar remarks against her when she was a Samajwadi Party candidate.

“I was a candidate from his party in '09 when no one supported me after he made comments against me.” She also added that, “I'm a woman and I can't even repeat what he said.” She wondered, “I don't know what I did to him that he is saying such things.”

She also demanded Khan be banned from contesting elections as she feared there would be no place for women in the society if people like him wins. "He shouldn't be allowed to contest elections. Because if this man wins, what will happen to democracy? There'll be no place for women in society. Where will we go? Should I die, then you'll be satisfied? You think that I'll get scared and leave Rampur? I won't leave."

Taking strong exception of Khan's remarks, the Election Commission has demanded a detailed report from the District Magistrate and a case has been filed against him.