New Delhi:

Reacting to the controversy over Congress leader Randeep Surjewala’s remarks against Mathura MP Hema Malini, the actor-politician said that the opposition leader One must learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi how to respect women.

Before filing her nomination for the Lok Sabha elections in the temple town, she told reporters that the opposition was only targeting “the people”. “They only target popular people because targeting unpopular people does not do them any good. They should learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi how to respect women.”

The BJP launched a scathing attack on the Congress party over Surjewala’s remarks.

BJP leader Amit Malviya yesterday shared a video of Mr Surjewala addressing a public rally. He made the comments about Ms Malini while saying people elect leaders to raise their issues. In a post on X, Mr Malvia said it was “the most disgusting description anyone could imagine”. “This is Rahul Gandhi’s Congress. It is misogynistic, hates women,” the BJP leader said.

Facing criticism, Surjewala said the BJP’s IT wing has developed a habit of distorting facts and spreading lies. He shared another video from the same event in which he said, “We respect Hema Malini ji because she is married to Dharmendra ji and she is our bahu.”

He accused the BJP of distorting facts and spreading lies and said the ruling party’s aim was to divert attention from the Narendra Modi government’s “anti-youth, anti-farmer, anti-poor policies and its conspiracy to complete the constitution” .

“These minions of the BJP never asked the Prime Minister why he said ‘girlfriend of 50 crore’, why he called a woman MP ‘Surpanakha’, teased a woman chief minister, used ‘widow of Congress party’ The term, and describes the Congress leadership as ‘jerseys’,” he said.

Mr. Surjewala said he was just saying that every elected representative should be accountable to the people, whether it is him or (Haryana Chief Minister) Nayab Singh Saini and (India) PPP leader) Manohar Lal Khattar.

“My intention is not to insult Hema Maliniji or hurt anyone. That is why I made it clear that we respect Hema Maliniji and she is our bahu. The BJP is anti-women ‘s, so it’s looking at everything through the lens of misogyny and conveniently viewing everything as “spreading lies,” he said in the post.

Yogi Adityanath was among the leaders who attacked the Congress over Mr Surjewala’s remarks. Mr. Adityanath said Mathura is a land of art and Ms. Malini is an artist who showcases Indian culture at a global level. He did not name Surjewala but said: “If Congress doesn’t like this, I doubt God can save them.”

Ms Malini said she was delighted to be nominated again for the Mathura seat. “I am happy to get the opportunity to serve the people of Mathura for the third time. I will complete the work that I failed to complete during my two terms. This time, huge development projects will be launched for the people of Mathura.” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yo Yogi Adityanath is extending all possible help to Mathura,” she told news agency ANI.