BJP leader apologises for derogatory post against women scribes after protest

Actor-turned-politician Shekher in a statement said he had forwarded a friend's post 'without reading' the content.

Journalists on Friday protested actor-turned-Bharatiya Janata Party politician S Ve Shekher's shared Facebook post that contained derogatory remarks on the media and women scribes, even as he tendered an apology.

Media persons protested near the state BJP headquarters in Chennai demanding action against Shekher.

The scribes shouted slogans and held placards reading 'vitriol' against media should stop.

They also urged women leaders in the BJP to 'speak up'.

Earlier in the day, Shekher in a statement said he had forwarded a friend's post 'without reading' the content and apologised for the same.

The message was forwarded 'without reading the content, by mistake... was unintentional.When it was pointed out by a friend that the content was abusive, it was removed immediately', he said.

The Facebook post was reportedly shared on Thursday, but was found removed later.

The post also makes insinuations against the media and women journalists in light of the 'patgate' row involving Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit.

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 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, calling for his removal as Tamil Nadu governor.

Purohit later apologised to the woman scribe.

Shekher's shared post also had some caustic references to the woman scribe whose cheek the governor patted.

These drew instant condemnation, with a number of journalists lashing out at his post, which was found removed later.

The actor-politician said he does not endorse the views expressed in the post he shared.

The Chennai Union of Journalists denounced Shekher over the post, with many journalists taking to Twitter and Facebook to express their anger.

"I come from a family that respects women and women journalists. If I had hurt anyone in the very few minutes of (sharing) that post... it was not on purpose and (I express) my heartfelt apologies," he said.

Shekher, however, said he was 'surprised' to find some people circulated the screenshots of the post without finding them offensive.

Meanwhile, some persons have also filed a police complaint against Shekher.