In the wake of the heavy criticism for his controversial blog defending sacked Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar, AAP leader Ashutosh has alleged that registering police cases against him was an infringement on "freedom of expression."
In a series of tweets, Ashutosh slammed the media, alleging that it was indulging in "vulturisation" and "doing embedded journalism".
Registering police cases against me is an infringement on my fundamental right to freedom of expression mandated by the constitution.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 6, 2016
Atmosphere is created whr critical analysis of history not allowed, freedom of expression will be crushed, voice of dissent suppressed.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 6, 2016
Even Media is not interested into finding the truth, indulging into vulturisation and doing embedded journalism.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 6, 2016
Let there be debate in the country - should I have a right to express myself freely or not as mandated by the Babasheb's constitution ?
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 6, 2016
Who has given right to NCW to muzzle my voice ?? Is there emergency in the country that I need to seek permission from govt and NCW ??
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 6, 2016
Registration of police cases and NCW can't scare me !! I am born in free India, I am a proud indian !! Constitution is my religion !!
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 6, 2016
In the now-controversial blog on NDTV about Sandeep Kumar, Ashutosh wrote: "This video encompasses pictures of a man and woman indulging in a sexual act. The video clearly establishes that both individuals knew each other and consented to sex in a private space away from the public glare. The question then is that if two consenting adults are physically involved with each other, is it a crime?"
The National Commission for Women has summoned the Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson.
"We have asked him to come on 8 September. This is in response to what we feel is a very reprehensible and demeaning blog Ashutosh wrote, where he defended a man accused of rape," NCW Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam said.
"The Commission has taken a note in the larger interest because we feel that as a spokesperson of a party that governs Delhi and a party whose members have been accused of many incidents of violence against women he should not be writing a blog like this which reeks of patriarchy and misogyny," she said.
Also Read: NCW summons AAP's Ashutosh over controversial, 'demeaning' blogpost on Sandeep Kumar
Kumar was arrested on 3 September after a woman seen in a video with him in a "compromising position" complained that she had been drugged and raped a year ago.
Read more: Sex CD case: Following woman's complaint, former AAP minister Sandeep Kumar surrenders
Also Read: Woman on Sandeep Kumar sex CD files complaint, says her drink was spiked
--With PTI inputs
First published: 6 September 2016, 13:38 IST