TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit gives explanation for his shocking ‘Pat’ on the female journalist's cheek

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, who courted a massive controversy after patting the cheek of a senior female journalist in a patronising manner, has now replied back to the journalist's allegations. In a shocking defence, the Governor said that he patted her cheek to express affection and appreciation for the question she had asked him

"I gave a pat on your cheek considering you to be like my granddaughter. It was done with affection and to express my appreciation for your question and your performance as a journalist," he said.

The journalist had asked him a question on the performance of the government and the Universities in the state, to which he didn’t reply, instead patted on her cheek “patronisingly and without her consent.”

While responding to Lakshmi Subramanian, the journalist's email to his secretary regarding the incident, Purohit also issued an apology to her saying, "I do understand from your mail that you are feeling hurt about the incident. I wish to express my regret and apologies to assuage your hurt sentiments."

The incident in question happened on Tuesday night after a press briefing over allegations on the Governor linking him to an audio tape in which a professor is allegedly asking students to offer sexual favours.

READ| Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit Pats Female Journalist's Cheek, Triggers Massive Controversy

Here's the full response of the Tamil Nadu Governor:

WATCH| I Am Stunned By His Conduct: Senior Female Journalist Lashes Out At Tamil Nadu Governor Who Patted On Her Cheek

Earlier in the day, Lakshmi Subramanian spoke to Republic TV and lashed out at the Governor for his unbecoming conduct. 

"For a moment I was stunned and I did not know how to react immediately. The people around me started laughing and I was so much angered and I thought I should register my complaint. I immediately went to his secretary to tell him that he was wrong. The officials present there, however, said that you drop an email, it will be forwarded to him. And, then I dropped an email seeking an explanation from him," said the journalist.