'Woman cannot become a reporter without sleeping with bigwigs': BJP leader S Ve Shekher stokes controversy

A day after 'patgate' row involving Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit , actor-turned-BJP politician S Ve Shekher has stoked a controversy with his derogatory remarks about the media and in particular against women scribes, drawing the ire of journalists.

Shekher's shared Facebook post, reportedly put out on Thursday makes insinuations against the media and women journalists.

The Facebook post shared by Shekher is titled “Madurai University, Governor and the Virgin Cheeks of a Girl”.

He reportedly wrote: “Illiterate scoundrels are now in media, she (senior female journalist Subramanian) is not an exception to that. Sexual abuses are more in media than in educational institutions. No one can become a reporter or news anchor without sleeping with some big shots.

Media people are the cheap, lowly, ugly, vulgar beings of Tamil Nadu. There are only few exceptions. I respect only them. Otherwise, the whole of TN media is in a regressive path caught in the hands of criminals, rascals, blackmailers,” reported Indian Express News quoting the post.

The Chennai Union of Journalists criticised Shekher for the post, with many journalists also taking to Twitter and Facebook to condemn him.

Shekher in a statement said that he posted the remark on the social media site without reading it.

"I had posted it without reading the message. It was removed immediately after my friend pointed it out. If I had hurt anyone, it was not on purpose and I extend my heartfelt apology," Shekher said.

He said he does not endorse the views expressed in the post and added that he comes from a family that respects women.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu journalist fraternity has lodged a police complaint against Shekher for his assertion.

The 78-year-old governor had patted on the cheek of a woman journalist earlier this week during the conclusion of a press meet in Chennai, apparently to diplomatically avoid queries posed by her.

The incident had triggered a furore with political parties, including the opposition DMK, calling for his removal as Tamil Nadu governor.

(With agency inputs)