Karnataka MLA’s ‘Pregnancy Is An Excuse’ Remark Against Woman Officer Sparks Outrage

Last Updated:October 16, 2025, 07:52 IST

Shivaganga Basavaraj, Congress MLA from Channagiri, faces backlash for sexist remarks about forest officer missing a KDP meeting, sparking criticism from women’s rights groups.

Congress MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj during a quarterly review session of the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP). (X/@eshaniverma809)

A Karnataka MLA has triggered outrage after making a controversial remark about a woman forest officer. The comment has drawn sharp criticism from women’s rights groups, who have accused the legislator of being “sexist."

Shivaganga Basavaraj, the Congress MLA from Channagiri, confronted forest range officer Shweta for missing a work meeting and went on to lecture her about maternity leave.

The meeting that triggered the Congress MLA’s outburst was a quarterly review session of the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP).

After being informed that the forest range officer wouldn’t come, he asked in public, “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?"

“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’," Basavaraj said at the meeting.

“Immediate action should be taken against her," the MLA, flanked by other officials, said.

A video of the MLA making sexist comments against the woman officer has also surfaced.

Women rights activists shared the visuals, criticising the MLA for twisting a complex and nuanced matter into a sexist punchline.

Basavaraj has not responded to the controversy so far. The issue is expected to intensify, with the opposition BJP gearing up to target the Siddaramaiah government on matters concerning women.

Meanwhile, recently, Karnataka government has announced one day paid menstrual leave in a month for those working in the government and private sector.

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