Controversial remarks by Pappu Yadav reignite debate on women’s participation in politics, even as Parliament remains divided over how and when reservation for women will actually be implemented.
File Photo: X/@pappuyadavjapl
Independent MP Pappu Yadav on Tuesday triggered a major political storm with a controversial claim that “70-80% of politicians watch porn”, even as his earlier remarks alleging exploitation of women in politics drew widespread outrage.
The controversy comes amid a sharp divide in Parliament over the implementation of women’s reservation, with the proposed rollout now tied to delimitation and unlikely before the 2029 general elections.
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Addressing reporters in Purnia on Monday, Yadav had first flagged what he described as deep-rooted discrimination against women in public life, questioning the gap between symbolic reverence and real power.
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“…In India, women are called goddesses, but they will never be respected here. System and society are responsible for this…90% of women cannot do politics without entering the room of politicians,” he said.
He also maintained that marginalised communities continue to lack adequate representation in positions of authority.
The row escalated further in Malda, where Yadav doubled down with a series of provocative claims, questioning those who had issued notices to him and widening his attack on political leaders.
“…I have said this on the Floor of the House too that 70-80% of the politicians watch porn. So, get everyone checked. If there is porn on my phone, check me too…Who are these people who have served me a notice? Who are they with? There are several photos with former ministers. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones…” he said.
Reiterating his earlier stand, Yadav insisted that women face systemic exploitation within politics and defended his remarks despite the backlash.
“I had said that male politicians do not let women enter politics without exploiting them. Is that incorrect?…I am fighting women’s fight…They exploit women…There is sexual exploitation against 755 male politicians and there are chargesheets against 155…The whole of India is tainted. If I speak of male politicians, why are they (Women’s Commission) troubled?…These politicians exploit women and then they speak of Women’s Reservation Bill…” he added.
Yadav’s comments come at a time when the Constitution Amendment Bill on women’s reservation has been at the centre of intense political debate in the Lok Sabha.
The proposal to implement reservation from the 2029 elections, linked to the Delimitation Bill, has faced strong opposition, particularly over plans to increase Lok Sabha seats and base delimitation on the 2011 census.
In the division that followed the debate, 298 members voted in favour of the Constitution Amendment Bill, while 230 opposed it.
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