New Delhi: BJP’s East Delhi MP candidate Gautam Gambhir has sent a defamation notice to AAP rival Atishi after she alleged that the cricketer-turned politician distributed pamphlets containing “obscene and derogatory” remarks against her in the constituency. Gambhir has also sent notices to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The nine-page legal notice dated May 9 demands immediate withdrawal of each statement made against Gambhir and denies that the former cricketer had any relation with the alleged pamphlet. “It is categorically and vehemently denied that our client has any relation to the alleged pamphlet or the deplorable contents contained therein which have been referred to … in the statements made in the press conference on May 9 and subsequent tweets on social media with utter malafide and ulterior motives.”
The notice said that it was alleged “in a calculated and coordinated manner, wrongly and erroneously … that the pamphlets have been distributed by our client or at his behest”. The allegations had been made in view the elections on Sunday, it said. Atishi on Thursday accused Gambhir of distributing pamphlets that questioned her morals and had objectionable and deeply offensive remarks about her. Reading out the contents of the pamphlet, Atishi broke down twice at a press conference and said she was very pained on seeing it. She asked how women would feel safe if men like Gambhir get elected. In East Delhi, Gambhir is pitted against against Atishi and Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely.
Atishi files complaint in DCW, Sisodia threatens counter-defamation notice
New Delhi: AAP’s East Delhi candidate Atishi on Friday complained to the Delhi Commission for Women over an “obscene and derogatory” pamphlet targeting her distributed in the constituency, saying she holds the BJP and her rival from the party Gautam Gambhir directly responsible. Gambhir had rejected the charge and sent a notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and Atishi for alleged defamation, demanding that they withdraw the allegation and tender an unconditional apology over the matter Sisodia on Friday threatened to file a counter-suit in the matter and said he would be sending a notice for defamation to him.
“We are the ones being defamed, we will file a defamation case against him,” he said. Atishi on Thursday broke down while reading the pamphlet against her, that she alleged has been distributed in the constituency at the behest Gambhir, a charge denied by the cricketer-turned-politician. The BJP alleged that the AAP was staging such incidents. Atishi submitted her complaint to the DCW in which she called it a text book case of character assassination of a woman who has chosen to enter public life. She claimed no other entity except the BJP and Gambhir “stood to gain from spreading such virulently hateful propaganda against a woman”. “Ever since I took the plunge into active politics, I faced a fair amount of attacks and criticism from political rivals and I had learnt to take it with a pinch of salt.
“However, earlier this week, a most disturbing pamphlet was brought to my notice by our well-wishers who received the pamphlet by post, and other means such as newspaper inserts and distribution in parks,” she said in the letter to the DCW.
She said the contents of the pamphlet have been attached to this complaint. “The contents of this complaint cannot be reproduced by me because they’re a combination of communal, misogynistic, casteist slurs and falsehoods against me, the elected Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi,” she said. “There can be no doubt about the fact that the BJP and Gautam Gambhir are directly responsible for this as there is no other entity that stood to gain from spreading such virulently hateful propaganda against a woman. This is a text book case of character assassination of a woman who has chosen to enter public life,” she said in the letter.
Atishi said she is extremely pained that she has become the latest target of the regressive mindset that does not believe women can be equal citizens and have equal opportunity. “I am writing to you to seek your urgent intervention in the matter in order to ensure that there is a thorough and independent investigation into the matter by all agencies and that this act will not go unpunished. I urge you to assist me in this fight against those who have chosen to use sick and misogynistic tactics in this election,” she added. Gambhir, in a series of tweets, said he is “ashamed” to have Arvind Kejriwal as chief minister and he would withdraw his candidature if the charge against him is proved.
“You can’t tarnish someone’s image without proof. I have never given a negative statement against any opposition candidate in my election campaigning,” he said in a press statement. Gambhir on Friday said he will “hang” himself in public if the Aam Aadmi Party can prove that he has any link to the derogatory pamphlet. However, support poured in for Atishi from various quarters, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav saying the pamphlet is a “new, distressing and disturbing low”.”The BJP needs to realise that it’s better to lose with dignity than to lose all dignity,” he said in a tweet.
Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani, who has been campaigning for Atishi, said the pamphlet is “bigotry” and “hateful to the core”.
Targeting the BJP and Gambhir, he tweeted, “Even if the party and candidates like him don’t officially peddle or endorse it, their supporters online surely do. They tell me in comments to go clean gutters, while such progressive women face misogynist, casteist, communal abuses.”
Actress Swara Bhasker said people should give a befitting reply in the upcoming polls to those who made Atishi cry.”East Delhi, you should exact revenge of the tears brought in the eyes of Delhi’s daughter by voting for her. People who do not respect women, what respect would they show to their daughters,” she said in a tweet. Atishi also found support from Twitter users who lauded the Oxford graduate for her courage.
