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The Tamil Nadu BJP has been facing one brickbat after another, as loose canons in the party take to social media to make unacceptable statements. And what’s more, it seems to have become a habit for some leaders to disassociate themselves from the post when they face heat for it.
It was first H Raja who claimed that he was not aware of a Facebook post in his profile, which called for destroying Periyar statues in the state. And now, S Ve Sekhar who has received immense criticism over a post which spoke ill of women journalists, has taken the same route.
A day after he shared a Facebook post, which insulted women journalists, BJP leader S Ve Shekher claims he put up the post on his timeline without actually reading.
“Yesterday, my face book, a message, without reading the content, by mistake forwarded by me FROM THIRUMALAI Sa Was unintentional (sic),” reads a statement issued by S Ve Shekher.
He says in a statement that he removed the post after his friend pointed out that it was abusive.
“When it was pointed out by a friend of mine the content was abusive one, & it was removed immediately. I do not endorse the views expressed in it. I come from a family that respects women & the women journalist,” said Shekher in his statement.
Emphasising that he did not endorse the views expressed in the Facebook post, Shekher also said, “it was not on purpose & my heartfelt apology.”
The actor-turned-politician, however, went on to slam those who were sharing screenshots of the deleted post, stating, "I am surprised how people, who are now spreading the screen shot/photoshop of the deleted post do not find it offensive."
On Thursday, S Ve Shekher shared a Facebook post written by Thirumalai Sa., which didn’t name the journalist in the incident. However, the headline of the post, which read ‘Madurai University, the Governor and a virgin girl’s cheek’ was S Ve Shekher’s own.
Several members of the media fraternity as well as senior political representatives have slammed the sexist post on social media.
Without naming the woman journalist in the incident, the post read: "I feel pity while looking at that woman journalist. She claims she was disturbed because the governor touched her. But when you read her tweets, it is understood that her intention was to target the Governor and Modi. It is actually the governor who has to wash his hands with Phenoyl after touching her. These (TN media persons) are cheap and disgusting creatures. Most people who work in the media in TN are usually illiterate, cheap and don't have any general knowledge. This woman is not any different."
The post also went on to accuse all women journalists in Tamil Nadu of sleeping around.
"Recently this disgusting fact has come out through complaints that women cannot become reporters or anchors unless they sleep with top bosses. And with these faces, they come out to ask questions to the governor," the post stated.
The post was deleted following the furore it sparked, but not before several members of the media fraternity took to Twitter to condemn the post and Shekher.