A video capturing BJP MP Khagen Murmu kissing a woman on her cheeks during a campaign visit to Sihipur village, Chanchal, West Bengal, has stirred debate and received mixed reactions.
The woman involved defended the gesture as a simple act of affection, dismissing criticisms and asserting that there was no wrongdoing. She expressed her perspective during an interview with a news channel, questioning why a display of affection from someone of her father’s age should be considered inappropriate.
However, the incident drew condemnation from the ruling party in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress (TMC), which deemed Murmu’s actions inappropriate, particularly during a live stream of his campaign. TMC took to Twitter to express their disapproval and raise broader concerns about BJP’s approach to women’s issues, citing previous instances of alleged misconduct by BJP leaders.
If you cannot believe what you just saw, let us clarify. Yes, this is BJP MP & Maldaha Uttar candidate @khagen_murmu kissing a woman on his own accord on his campaign trail.
From MPs that sexually harass women wrestlers to leaders who make obscene songs about Bengali women, BJP… pic.twitter.com/f0PKdaDDn5
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 9, 2024
The incident has ignited discussions about cultural norms and boundaries, with differing interpretations of the politician’s affectionate gesture.
Khagen Murmu, born on February 2, 1960, is an Indian politician representing Maldaha Uttar in the Parliament. Initially associated with CPIM, he later joined BJP, winning the Lok Sabha seat for Maldaha Uttar constituency in the 2019 Indian general election after serving four terms as MLA from the Habibpur constituency.
