Mayawati supporters erupt in Lucknow in protest against "prostitute" remark

BJP might have suspended Dayashankar Singh for 6 years but his "worse than a prostitute" remark against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has badly backfired on the party. On 21 July, thousands of BSP workers poured on to the streets of Lucknow protesting against Singh\'s distasteful remark.

The protest is being held at the main Hazratganj crossing. BSP state president Ram Achal Rajbhar said the party supporters have been asked to gather in the state capital in larger numbers.

The Lucknow District Magistrate has said that permission to protest at Hazratganj area is usually not granted due to traffic issues, public inconvenience and security concerns.

"If anyone gathers and tries to organise any protest at Hazratganj, we take action accordingly," he said.

BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya sacked Dayashankar Singh from the party on Wednesday, hours after he announced that Singh had been relieved from all organisational responsibilities.

Dayashankar Singh\'s remarks drew severe criticism from members in the Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien saying that the House wants the government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his unforgivable comments.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earlier expressed "personal regret" in Parliament over Singh\'s remark. "It is not right and I condemn the use of this word. And if a person has said this, we will investigate. I express personal regret. I associate with your dignity and stand with you," Jaitley told Mayawati in the Rajya Sabha.

The BSP chief on her part thanked Jaitley and other leaders in the Rajya Sabha for supporting her on the matter. "There are war of thoughts and ideas in the House, but never have I used derogatory words against anyone ever," Mayawati said.

"Dayashankar Singh should be arrested otherwise if in response to this the people get violent, it will not be on my conscience," she added.