Ambareesh calls woman IAS officer beautiful, sparks controversy

At a time when the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka is facing severe criticism for its insensitiveness towards crimes against women, state minister M. H. Ambareesh further embarrassed the government by referring to a woman IAS officer as "fair and beautiful".

The housing minister made the remark at an exhibition jointly organised by the Education department and the zilla panchayat on Saturday in his home constituency Mandya.

"We have a new IAS officer, who is fair, beautiful and good looking," he said to which a section of the audience burst in laughter. Realizing his mistake, Ambarish quickly added: "She is new to the district and I'm confident about her capability to deliver and resolve people's problems."

Chief executive officer of the Mandya zilla panchayat, Rohini Sindhuri seemed visibly upset with the minister's faux pas at the event. She, however, has not responded so far on the incident. The minister's remark drew criticism from various sections of the society.

"The officer may be beautiful. But a minister cannot comment on a woman's beauty in front of hundreds of people at a public event. He may have said that casually. But his remarks were unwarranted," women's rights activist R. J. Lakshmi asserted. Ambarish, one of the most popular Kannada film actors in Karnataka, has often found himself cornered on such issues.

The actor-turned-politician is also facing a probe by the Lokayukta for acquiring residential plots in Karnataka in violation of rules.

When the minister underwent a month-long treatment in Singapore for his failing health earlier this year, the magnanimous Siddaramaiah government footed the medical bills running into Rs.1.16 crore.