NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma, whose remark that the word “sexy” should not be taken in a negative connotation sparked a controversy, on Sunday said she had not withdrawn her statement and “stands” by it.
“I have not withdrawn my statement and I stand by it. With time, the meaning of such words also changes,” Ms Sharma told reporters on the sidelines of a programme organised by an NGO here.
“Today nobody can watch television programmes at home with his/her family, but nobody said anything about it,” she said.
Ms Sharma also said she did not endorse West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s announcement of launching a news channel and a newspaper.
The NCW chief had drawn the ire of women’s rights activists over her remark at a function in Jaipur in February, that the word “sexy” meant “beautiful and charming” and should not be taken in a negative sense.
“I was positive in my approach so I said that. One should take it in a positive sense,” Ms Sharma said.
Earlier, referring to rising instances of crime, Ms Sharma said that Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are the only states in the country where “maximum” atrocities are committed against women. The state government’s ignorance on this issue was “highly unfortunate”, she said.
About the programme, she said about 400-500 women have highlighted the various crimes, including rape, committed against them and NCW had taken a cognisance of the same.
The National Commission for Women will write to the Madhya Pradesh chief minister, chief secretary and the DGP asking them to ensure that appropriate action is taken in this regard, she said.