Senior Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav landed himself in controversy with remarks that a "vote's prestige is bigger than that of a daughter".
The former JD-U chief made the remarks at a function in Patna to emphasise the importance of votes.
"The importance of the ballot paper has to be told to everyone and everywhere ... vote's prestige is bigger than the prestige of a daughter. If daughter's prestige is compromised, it will only affect a village and an area but if the vote's prestige is compromised or sold then it impacts the entire nation and the province," he said.
Yadav repeated his view a second time before ending his 30-minute speech with an appeal to people not to sell their votes.
"The prestige of ballot paper is bigger than that of daughter's. Don't sell it off. Go and tell the people in your area," he added.
The National Commission for Women has issued a notice to Yadav for his remarks and demanded an explanation within 24 hours, failing which he will have to appear before the panel.
"Considering the gravity of the offensive and objectionable statement, you are hereby required to provide a satisfactory explanation to the Commission on the matter within 24 hours of the receipt of this notice failing which you will be required to appear before the Commission," the letter sent to Yadav said.
"The NCW strongly condemns the use of such an offensive, objectionable and misogynistic statement made by persons holding responsible positions which shows extreme disrespect to women," it said.
With his comments stoking controversy, Yadav on Wednesday said, "I haven't said anything wrong. Like the way we love, care and respect our daughters we should also do the same in case of votes than our society can become good, our country can develop and we can have a good government".
"Those who are taking it in wrong sense is not a good thing. Vote is the engine of our constitution...it is the driving force....everyone has their own point of view so what can I say," he added.
The Tuesday's function in Patna was organised by the extremely backward class cell of the party to celebrate the birth anniversary of former Bihar Chief Minister and veteran socialist leader Karpoor Thakur.
Speaking to a television channels, NCW Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam said this morning, "Women are tired of being humiliated on public platforms on various issues. Votes are a political tool and women are not a tool. We will issue a notice and if required we will issue summons as well."
Kumaramangalam also termed BJP leader Vinay Katiyar's remarks as "ridiculous and unacceptable".
"To compare women on the basis of their looks is totally ridiculous and not acceptable. Priyanka is much more than her looks. I don't think women who have come up in life is because of their looks but it is because of their competence and hard work," the NCW Chairperson had said.
Reacting on Yadav's controversial statement, JD-U national general secretary K C Tyagi said that it has been taken wrongly.
"We Samajwadis have been of the view that daughter and vote are to be be given to superior person. If daughter is married to a wrong person, then only one family is destroyed but if vote is given to wrong person then it destroys entire nation ... This is not at all a sexist remark.
"We are sorry if it (Sharad's statement) has hurt the sentiments of any section of the society," Tyagi said.
