No apology from Sharad Yadav for calling South Indian women 'dark skinned'

New Delhi: Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav on Friday refused to apologise for his comments about south Indian women, which have sparked widespread outrage amongst other politicians and women's rights activists.

"Why should I apologise? I will make them understand what I meant. Do you think I said anything wrong?" Yadav told ANI here.

"There was no opposition and I didn't say any such thing. In the entire country, wherever men or women are giving training in dance, their figure improves. In the south, there is a huge tradition of dance, art and music, that is why their figure is good," he added.

The 67-year-old leader also defended his remarks, saying he attacked the preference for fair women in the country.

"I said the colour of this country is primarily dark. Our gods Ram and Krishna are also dark but in matrimonial ads we seek fair women, but this is not good. I attacked that. I meant that beauty can't be measured by fair or dark skin and there should be no discrimination on that basis," said Yadav.

He pointed out that the maker of the controversial 'India's Daughters' documentary, Leslee Udwin, gained permission to shoot her film because of her skin colour.

"I also said that the woman who came to make the film got permission because of her skin colour. So it was the ground reality which I spoke," Yadav added.

The senior parliamentarian's comments have drawn all round condemnation from the opposition Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, who termed it as 'appalling', 'racist' and 'misogynistic'.

Woman rights activist had also criticised his remarks saying he should avoid making such statements as he is a representative of the people.