On Delhi poll day ‘#AntiWomenKejriwal’ trended on Twitter

• Pramod Thomas
• 08 February, 2020

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By: Pramod Thomas

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal landed in trouble over a ‘sexist’ tweet on the election day in Delhi on Saturday (8). On Twitter, he said women should heed their male counterparts’ advice while casting their votes.

“You must go to vote. Special appeal to all women – Just like you bear the responsibility of the home, the responsibility of the country and Delhi are also on you. All of you ladies must go to vote and also take the men of your house. Make sure to discuss with men voting for whom will be right,” Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

वोट डालने ज़रूर जाइये

सभी महिलाओं से ख़ास अपील – जैसे आप घर की ज़िम्मेदारी उठाती हैं, वैसे ही मुल्क और दिल्ली की ज़िम्मेदारी भी आपके कंधों पर है। आप सभी महिलायें वोट डालने ज़रूर जायें और अपने घर के पुरुषों को भी ले जायें। पुरुषों से चर्चा ज़रूर करें कि किसे वोट देना सही रहेगा

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 8, 2020

Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani was quick to respond.

“Don’t you think that women are capable enough to decide on their own about whom to vote?” Irani tweeted with a hashtag #AntiWomenKejriwal.

आप क्या महिलाओं को इतना सक्षम नहीं समझते की वे स्वयं निर्धारित कर सके किसे वोट देना है ? #महिलाविरोधीकेजरीवाल https://t.co/fUnqt2gJZk

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) February 8, 2020

Congress leader and All India Mahila Congress President Sushmita Dev also grabbed the opportunity to hit out at Kejriwal.

“A woman voter can think for herself she doesn’t need to ask anyone. They need to vote against such patriarchy,” she said.

A woman voter can think for herself she doesn’t need to ask anyone. They need to vote against such patriarchy. https://t.co/BxFEIpfQx4

— Sushmita Dev (@sushmitadevinc) February 8, 2020

BJP leader Nupur Sharma, who had contested against Kejriwal in 2015 Assembly Elections, tweeted that there was no need for any empowered woman to either discuss with men or ask them whom to vote. “Whether it is any household duty or office job, we women can manage both well. Please do not impose the patriarchal mentality of #AntiAuratParty on Delhiites”.

As the #AntiWomenKejriwal began trending on Twitter, Arvind Kejriwal gave a response to Smriti Irani.

“Smritiji, the women of Delhi have decided whom to vote for. And this time in Delhi, women will decide the family’s vote. After all, they have to run the home,” the Chief Minister said.

Counting of votes in Delhi will take place on February 11.