- By Aditya Jha
- Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:16 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Karnataka News: A Karnataka Congress MLA triggered a row after allegedly questioning the absence of one of the women officers from a key meeting by stating that "pregnancy was an excuse" for her. While attending a quarterly review of the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP), Channagiri MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj lost his cool after being informed about the officer's absence. He stated that the officers should have taken a leave if she was sick, adding that the officers want a full salary despite not working wholeheartedly. The remarks have been criticised by multiple women activists; however, the public representative has not clarified his stance yet.
Basavaraj claimed that the officer had "no shame", as she took leave after being called to attend the key meeting, reported NDTV. "If she is pregnant, she should take a leave. Why does she need to work? She wants to make money, but also when called for meetings she wants to take leave. Is there no shame?" the MLA asked public.
"There are maternity leaves, right? Till the last date she wants salary and the extras, but can't come to the meeting as soon as you ask for some work. Pregnancy is an excuse, one should feel ashamed. Every time it's the same excuse. 'I'm pregnant, I'm going to the doctor'," he added. He further asked the other officers to take "immediate" action, further warning them to attend all the key meetings.
"Immediate action should be taken against her," the MLA said. While several women activists have criticised the Congress MLA for giving the "insensitive" remarks, Basavaraj has not spoken on the controversy yet. Earlier last month, the Karnataka government announced one day of paid menstrual leave per month for the women employees working in both the government and private sectors.