Former minister and Congress MLA from Karnataka, RV Deshpande, has been facing heat from all sections of society for his crass response to a female journalist. 

When the reporter asked him about the timeline for a hospital in Joida taluk and highlighted the struggles of residents, especially pregnant women, Deshpande’s response was far from “respectful” and “sensitive”. 

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‘I’ll get your delivery done’

The Congress MLA said, “I’ll get yours done in (neighbouring) Haliyal.”

“What, sir?” the journalist asked, apparently thinking she misunderstood his reply. 

That’s when Deshpande not only told him that he would get her delivery done at a hospital but also winked at her. “When it’s time for your delivery, we will get it done.”

The journalist, who was in for a shock, simply said that the residents desperately need a hospital and that he should get it built soon. 

The MLA simply said, “Okay,” before moving on. 

‘We have asked for an apology’

The journalist, Radha Hiregoudar, who is the Editor-In-Chief of Guarantee News Kannada, told NDTV that she couldn’t believe her ears and that the minister should apologise. 

“I was shocked because I had never heard him make such a nonsensical statement,” she told NDTV, before asking, “My channel and I have asked for an apology. We have not got a response from him.”

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Many activists also launched a scathing attack at him, asking if he would have responded in a similar fashion had a male journalist asked him this question. 

BJP, JDS hit out at Congress

BJP’s National Spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, said that Congress first insulted PM Modi’s mother and now this.  

“After abusing PM Modi’s mother, now a shocker from Congress Karnataka leader RV Deshpande. Journalist: When will the Uttar Kannada region get a good hospital? Congress leader RV Deshpande: When you deliver a child. Replying to a woman journalist like this?” Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X.

The Prime Minister’s mother was abused and insulted by a man from the RJD-Congress stage during Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra. The man has been arrested. 

The Janata Dal Secular (JDS) also lashed out at Deshpande, stating that his “arrogant words are an insult to the dignity of women”.

“Sir, what kind of deplorable mindset is this?” asked JDS while tagging RV Deshpande. 

It further read, “To a senior journalist who asked for a super-speciality hospital for the district, you respond with: ‘Let it be your delivery?’ Is this the respect you show to women? As a senior legislator, your arrogant words are an insult to the dignity of women.”

JDS also demanded an apology from Deshpande. 

Who is RV Deshpande?

RV Deshpande is a Congress MLA from Haliyal constituency, who currently serves as the Chairperson of the Administrative Reforms Commission with the rank of Cabinet Minister.

He has previously held key portfolios in the Karnataka government, including Revenue Minister from 2018 to 2019, and Minister for Medium & Heavy Industries in the cabinets of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and former CM SM Krishna. 

He also served as Industries Minister for a total of 13 years between 1994–2004 and 2015–2018. He has also been elected as the Protem Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

The Congress MLA, who has been facing backlash for his recent crass remarks, holds BA and LLB degrees. He began his political journey as President of the Karnataka State Co-operative Agriculture & Rural Development Bank.

A nine-term legislator, Deshpande started his career with the Janata Parivar before joining the Congress, where he has remained a loyal party member.