When the journalist asked him in shock, “What, sir?" he repeated again, “"When it's time for your delivery, we will get it done.”
Published Sep 03, 2025 | 7:03 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2025 | 7:03 PM
Congress MLA RV Deshpande. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: The asked him about the demand in the district, specifically the Joida area, for a multispecialty hospital. “When it floods in the area, even (institutionalised) deliveries are difficult,” she said. Answering the journalist, he said, “Don’t worry, we’ll get yours done elsewhere.” He further added with a grin, “If you have to have a delivery, let me know; we will get it done elsewhere.”
Senior Congress leader and MLA RV Deshpande has gotten himself into major trouble for a misogynistic remark he made while responding to a woman journalist.
Deshpande, MLA of Haliyal in Uttara Kannada, was interacting with the reporters after offering ‘bagina’ to Kali river.
This was when the journalist highlighted that people especially pregnant women are finding it difficult due to a lack of hospital in the area. She asked him about the demand in the district, specifically the Joida area, for a multispecialty hospital. “When it floods in the area, even (institutionalised) deliveries are difficult,” she said.
Answering the journalist, he said, “Don’t worry, we’ll get yours done elsewhere.” He further added with a grin, “If you have to have a delivery, let me know; we will get it done elsewhere.”
When the journalist asked him in shock, “What, sir?” he repeated again, “”When it’s time for your delivery, we will get it done.”
Upon the journalist reiterating that the people of the region desperately need a hospital and Deshpande should get it built in this term itself, he just responded “okay”.
#Karantaka: #Congress MLA #RVDeshpande makes shocking comments.
When asked by a woman journalist when the area would get a hospital because people especially pregnant women are suffering, Congress MLA RV made a remark that left many shocked.
“We’ll get yours done in… pic.twitter.com/0EF3DB9GdS
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) September 3, 2025
Soon the comments were criticised by the Opposition BJP, journalists, and civic society.
The BJP state president BY Vijayendra took to X demanding Deshpande retract his statement and seek forgiveness from the women.
“Pregnant women are facing a dire situation due to the lack of proper hospitals, and in this regard, when a media colleague drew the attention of former minister and senior legislator R.V. Deshpande to the need for a multi-specialty hospital, the words spoken by the honourable Deshpande were not befitting his age, experience, and dignity. The statement he made, which was expressed in a manner that insults womankind, is something that civilized society can never accept. In this regard, R.V. Deshpande should retract his statement and seek forgiveness from the women’s community.”
ಗರ್ಭಿಣಿಯರು ಸೂಕ್ತ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಿಲ್ಲದೆ ದಾರುಣ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಎದುರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದು ಈ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಮಲ್ಟಿ ಸ್ಪೆಷಾಲಿಟಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಸಹೋದರಿಯೊಬ್ಬರು ಮಾಜಿ ಸಚಿವರು ಹಾಗೂ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಹಿರಿಯ ಶಾಸಕರಾದ ಆರ್.ವಿ ದೇಶಪಾಂಡೆ ಅವರಲ್ಲಿ ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆದ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾನ್ಯ ದೇಶಪಾಂಡೆ ಅವರು ಆಡಿರುವ ಮಾತು ಅವರ ವಯಸ್ಸು, ಅನುಭವ ಹಾಗೂ ಘನತೆಗೆ… pic.twitter.com/8X4A42cj44
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) September 3, 2025
The Karnataka BJP X handle also targeted the former minister saying this is a culture of misogyny.
“The INC’s pattern of disrespecting women continues. First, the shameful insults hurled at PM Shri Narendra Modi’s mother. Now, ex-Minister R.V. Deshpande’s vile comment to a female journalist. When asked about a multispecialty hospital for the people of Uttara Kannada, his response was: ‘Do you have any delivery? Tell me, and I’ll get it done for you.’ This isn’t just an insult; it’s a culture of misogyny.”
The INC’s pattern of disrespecting women continues.
First, the shameful insults hurled at PM Shri Narendra Modi’s mother. Now, ex-Minister R.V. Deshpande’s vile comment to a female journalist. When asked about a multispecialty hospital for the people of Uttara Kannada, his… pic.twitter.com/TCkqJ6z9W1
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) September 3, 2025
Meanwhile, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Karnataka, when asked to comment on what RV Deshpande remarked, said, “He is a senior leader and I do not have the exact facts of the matter.” He also added that, according to him, Deshpande does not make such comments, and it is wrong, but it could just be a human error.
Journalists have also condemned the MLA’s comments, and Karnataka Patrakarteyara Sangha have also written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
In the letter addressed to chief minister, they wrote: “We strongly condemn the derogatory comments made by senior legislator Mr. R.V. Deshpande in response to a professional query posed by a woman journalist. Such behavior is unbecoming of an elected representative and deeply disrespectful to the dignity of the press, which is rightfully regarded as the fourth estate of democracy. ”
They further demanded, “A public and unconditional apology from Mr. Deshpande to the journalist concerned and
to the press fraternity at large, and a firm directive from the Chief Minister to all legislators and leaders of the ruling party to maintain dignity, respect, and decorum in public life.”
Further Karnataka Union of Working Journalists also took to X, to criticise the Congress MLA, they wrote: “The sarcastic reply given by MLA R.V. Deshpande to senior journalist Radha Hiregowdar’s public interest question is condemnable. By using a sensitive subject like childbirth for a personal taunt and making a mockery of it, Deshpande has crossed the line. The KUWJ (Karnataka Union of Working Journalists) has demanded that Deshpande apologize to Radha.”
ಹಿರಿಯ ಪತ್ರಕರ್ತೆ ರಾಧ ಹಿರೇಗೌಡರ್ ಅವರ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಹಿತಾಸಕ್ತಿಯ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗೆ ಶಾಸಕ ಆರ್.ವಿ.ದೇಶಪಾಂಡೆ ನೀಡಿರುವ ಕುಚೋದ್ಯದ ಉತ್ತರ ಖಂಡನೀಯ. ಹೆರಿಗೆಯಂತ ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ವೈಯುಕ್ತಿಕ ಟೀಕೆ ತೆವಲಿಗೆ ಬಳಕೆ ಮಾಡಿ, ಅಪಹಾಸ್ಯ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ದೇಶಪಾಂಡೆ ಅವರು,ರಾಧ ಅವರ ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಕೇಳಲಿ ಎಂದು KUWJ ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದೆ.@CMofKarnataka @DKShivakumar pic.twitter.com/ZOZWvetJzR
— Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (R) (@KUWJ_R) September 3, 2025
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
