Mahua Moitra vs Rekha Sharma: TMC MP's 'holding boss' pajamas' dig at NCW chief sparks row

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has once again stirred controversy with her "pajamas" remark directed at Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW). The NCW has strongly condemned Moitra's "derogatory, crude" comments and has called for strict action against her. Despite the NCW's threat of filing an FIR, Moitra has responded by highlighting Rekha Sharma's past remarks and labelling her a "serial offender."

Rekha Sharma's Visit to Hathras
On July 4, NCW chief Rekha Sharma visited Hathras to meet the women injured in the tragic stampede that claimed 121 lives. Videos surfaced showing Sharma at the site with someone holding an umbrella for her. This sparked criticism on social media, with users questioning why the NCW chief couldn't hold the umbrella herself. Reacting to one such post, Mahua Moitra tweeted, "She’s too busy holding up her boss's pajamas," targeting Sharma, who is often accused of working in favour of the BJP-led NDA government.

NCW's Response and Legal Action
Rekha Sharma responded to Moitra's remarks by calling her a "troll." "She is not interested in her work but just trolling people, and I don't give my time to trollers," Sharma said. She clarified that she did not ask for the umbrella and was unaware of it being held for her due to the rush at the site. Sharma also wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora regarding Moitra's comments.



The NCW has taken suo moto cognizance of Moitra's remarks and has requested an FIR against her. "The National Commission for Women has taken suo moto cognizance of the derogatory remark made by Ms. Mahua Moitra, Member of Parliament, against Ms. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, NCW. The crude remarks are outrageous and a violation of a woman's right to dignity. The Commission observed that this remark attracts Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023. NCW strongly condemns these defamatory remarks and requests strict action against Ms. Moitra. An FIR should be registered against Ms. Moitra and a detailed action report should be communicated to the Commission within 3 days," the NCW said in a statement.


Mahua Moitra's Counterattack
Despite the NCW's actions, Mahua Moitra remained defiant and challenged the Delhi Police to arrest her. "Come on @DelhiPolice please take action immediately on these suo moto orders. Am in Nadia in case you need me in the next 3 days to make a quick arrest. I Can Hold My Own Umbrella," Moitra wrote on X.


Later, Moitra shared screenshots of Rekha Sharma's old remarks against various leaders like Arvind Kejriwal, Sonia Gandhi, and Lalu Prasad, calling Sharma a "serial offender" and demanding an FIR against her. In response to Moitra's tweet, Sharma posted a photo of the TMC MP with someone holding an umbrella for her, captioning it, "See she can hold her own umbrella so nicely."



BJP's Reaction
The BJP strongly condemned Mahua Moitra's remarks. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called Moitra's comments disgusting and demanded her dismissal from the TMC. "MP Mahua Moitra who justified & remained silent during Sandeshkhali, Chopra Talibani flogging, silent on Swati Maliwal now makes a disgusting comment at another woman that too the NCW Chief! Imagine if a BJP MP had said this.. all hell would break loose!! MAHUA MOITRA SHOULD BE SACKED BY TMC!" Poonawalla tweeted.



BJP leader Amit Malviya described Moitra's remarks as indicative of a "depraved mindset." He questioned whether Moitra was speaking from personal experience. "Mamata Banerjee’s MP keeps it classy. Not sure if it is an acquired insight or lived. But #Sandeshkhali and Chopra are manifestations of this kind of depraved mindset," Malviya said in his post.