“I’ll Get Your Delivery Done”: Karnataka MLA’s Remark to Woman Reporter Sparks Outrage

A controversial comment by Karnataka Congress MLA R.V. Deshpande during a media interaction has drawn raging criticism after he responded to a journalist’s question on hospital infrastructure with a remark considered to be widely inappropriate.

During a conversation with a journalist, where he was addressing queries on healthcare challenges in his constituency, Deshpande reportedly told woman reporter Radha Hiregoudar, “I’ll get your delivery done,” and followed it with a wink.

The exchange, captured on video, was rapidly shared across social media, triggering outrage from journalists, political rivals, and citizens.

Bystanders and observers noted that Hiregoudar had asked a genuine question about hospital facilities and maternal care in the region. Instead of addressing the issue at hand, Deshpande’s comment diverted attention from the core problem and was widely seen as disrespectful.

The incident took place in Uttara Kannada district, which Deshpande represents, and quickly snowballed into a political storm with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders demanding action against him.

The Karnataka Union of Working Journalists condemned the statement, calling it disrespectful to women in the profession.

“Elected representatives must maintain decorum and show accountability, especially when responding to questions about public health.” the association said in a statement.

BJP MLA Bhaskar Jadhav and other opposition members alleged that such comments not only insult journalists but also undermine the dignity of women in public life. Several women’s rights organizations in Karnataka also joined the chorus, pressing for an unconditional apology.

Social media reactions ranged from disappointment to anger, with users highlighting the persistent challenges women face in newsrooms and elsewhere.

Many people have raised demands for an apology from the MLA, saying that such behavior undermines both gender equality and the seriousness of healthcare debates.

Research in Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly (Urbániková and Čaladi, 2024) found women journalists frequently face institutional bias and gender-based stereotyping.

Political analysts suggested that the controversy reflects a deeper issue of how women professionals are treated in public spaces.

Experts argue that such incidents discourage young women from pursuing careers in the field.

As the backlash grew, opposition leaders demanded accountability. “Healthcare is a critical concern in Karnataka, and instead of addressing the failures, the MLA chose to mock the question. This is unacceptable,” one leader remarked.

Deshpande has not yet issued any public apology. According to reports, when pressed further, he brushed off the controversy, maintaining silence instead of directly addressing the criticism.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups across India have called for stricter codes of conduct for elected officials when interacting with the media.

The controversy has reignited conversations about women’s safety and dignity in journalism, as well as the pressing need to strengthen Karnataka’s healthcare infrastructure—the issue that made the journalist put up this question initially.

References:

1. Urbániková, Marína, and Tereza Čaladi. 2024. “The Many Shades of Sexism: Female Journalists in Leadership Positions Reflect on Barriers to Career Advancement in Journalism.” Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10776990241240119

(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)