In a Sexist Jibe, BJP Spokesman Tells Oppn to ‘Go Wear Petticoat’

Guarav Bhatia got so furious at Congress’ Rohan Gupta that he resorted to taking sexist jibes at him.

BJP Spokesperson Guarav Bhatia got so furious at Congress’ National Media Coordinator Rohan Gupta that he resorted to taking sexist jibes at him.

(Photo: PTI/Altered by The Quint)

"Go wear a petticoat! Go wear bangles!" These were the words used by BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia to lambaste Congress representative at a TV news channel debate on Wednesday, 6 March.

As the debate was getting heated up, like most TV debates do, Bhatia got so furious at Congress' National Media Coordinator Rohan Gupta that he resorted to taking sexist jibes at him by telling him to wear bangles and petticoat (underskirt).

The two were on the show, moderated by a woman anchor, debating over Congress' demand to release the proof of Indian Air Force's air strikes in Balakot.

Bhatia could not tolerate the repeated interjections by the panelist representing the Opposition party and resorted to challenging his masculinity by taking misogynistic jibes.

Because that’s what makes you win the battle of words?

As Bhatia was attacking Gupta, the woman anchor interrupted him, questioning the kind of language he was using. To which, a raging Bhatia questioned her back, "Kaun si bhasha galat hai (What language is bad, you tell me?)"

"You are insulting women," the anchor told Bhatia, adding, "Why can't he (Gupta) ask a question?"

“What does it mean, ‘wear petticoat’? What’s the meaning of this? Yes, we wear petticoat. So? Does that mean we are not courageous?”

ABP anchor.

As other panelists jumped in on the debate, grilling Bhatia for his sexist jibe, the woman anchor tells him to take his words back. "You take your words back!" She reminded him that he cannot give sexist statements on her show and get away with it. "You have to apologise to Rohan Gupta," the anchor said.

That did not sink in well with Bhatia, as he told the anchor that she was talking “nonsense.” He said that it is Congress that should apologise for questioning the Air Force.

Even after being prompted repeatedly to apologise to the Congress leader, the BJP spokesperson's rants did not end.

‘So Much For Respecting Women’

As the video clip went viral on social media, many called out Bhatia for his disturbing comments on the show.

Some of the users also pointed out that two Union ministers – Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj – also wear petticoats.