New Delhi: Star shuttler Saina Nehwal slammed a Congress MLA for his remarks towards a female BJP candidate, saying that the misogynistic remark was “really upsetting”.

A controversy erupted following a sexist remark made by Congress’s Davangere South MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa had derided BJP candidate Gayathri Siddeshwara by suggesting she was only capable of cooking.

“She can't even speak properly. She is fit to cook food at home. Let her understand the problems of Davangere before seeking public support in the Lok Sabha polls," Shivashankarappa said, reported India Today.

The remark sparked outrage, with London Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal taking to X to criticise the sexist comment.

Nehwal said, "Women should be restricted to the kitchen – this is what a top Karnataka leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa ji has said. The sexist jibe at BJP candidate from Davanagere, Gayatri Siddeshwara ji is least expected from a party that says Ladki Hoon Lad Sakti Hoon (I am a woman, I can fight)."

She said it is upsetting that while women are making their mark in many fields, some people are insulting “Nari Shakti” (women empowerment).

"When I won medals for Bharat on the play field, what would Congress party have preferred I should have done? Why say like that when all the girls and women dream of achieving big in any field,” Saina Nehwal said.

"On one hand, we are doing Nari Shakti ko Vandan (respecting women empowerment). The Women’s Reservation Bill has been passed under the leadership of our PM Modi and, on the other hand, Nari Shakti ka apman (insult) and misogynistic people... really upsetting,” wrote Nehwal, former World No1 badminton player.

Reacting to the Congress leader’s comment, Gayathri Siddeshwara, Shivashankarappa's comment against her was not just an insult to her personally, but to all women in general.

"Shamanur Shivashankarappa has insulted women with his remarks. Are we confined only to the kitchen?" she asked.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given importance to women empowerment. But these people keep insulting women," Gayathri Siddeshwara said.