India, Sept. 3 -- RV Deshpande, a senior Karnataka Congress leader, has sparked a political row over an alleged insensitive comment on a woman journalist during a press interaction.

RV Deshpande, the MLA for Haliyal in Uttara Kannada and a former minister, was asked by a journalist when the Joida taluk, a district subdivision, would get a hospital since residents, especially pregnant women, were suffering because of the lack of one.

The MLA responded with a smirk, "When it's your time (to have a baby), I will get one done for you."

Deshpande's remark has sparked backlash from media and political leaders, calling it an affront to the dignity of women. Many have demanded that Deshpande issue a public apology to the journalist without del...