Did Uttarakhand Minister’s Husband Just Call Bihari Girls a 'Rs 20,000 Marriage Option'?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Controversial remarks by a political figure can lead to significant public backlash.
- The Bihar State Women Commission plays a vital role in addressing issues related to women's rights.
- Political leaders must be held accountable for their statements regarding gender and societal issues.
- Public figures should strive to promote dignity and respect for all individuals.
- The incident highlights ongoing challenges surrounding gender equality in India.
New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) A major uproar has ensued following a viral video reportedly featuring Girdhari Lalu Sahu, spouse of Uttarakhand Women and Child Welfare Minister Rekha Arya, making offensive comments about women from Bihar. This prompted the Bihar State Women Commission to take suo motu cognizance and issue a notice to him.
The widely circulated video shows Sahu addressing a group of young individuals, allegedly stating, “Will you marry in your old age? If you find it hard to marry, we can bring a girl from Bihar for you; they can be found for Rs 20,000 to 25,000.”
This remark ignited swift backlash, with many denouncing it as defamatory and degrading towards women, raising concerns about gender exploitation and social issues like human trafficking and child marriage.
Political figures from both Bihar and Uttarakhand reacted strongly. Jyoti Rautela, state president of the Congress Mahila Morcha, condemned the comments as “shameful,” emphasizing that such attitudes undermine the dignity of women and girls and promote social ills like human trafficking and child marriage.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also criticized the statement on social media, linking it to the BJP's “toxic mindset” regarding women, and sarcastically referencing past claims of BJP leaders allegedly engaging in vote-buying for Rs 10,000.
Sahu's history is controversial; he has been associated with a double murder case and was previously accused of deceitfully facilitating a kidney removal for transplant purposes in Sri Lanka.
In response to the backlash, Sahu issued a clarification video asserting that his remarks were taken out of context and related to a friend’s marriage. He expressed, “If my words have offended anyone, I sincerely apologize.”
The Uttarakhand BJP unit also disavowed Sahu's comments, clarifying that he is not officially affiliated with the party.
In the meantime, the Bihar State Women Commission is demanding a comprehensive explanation from Sahu, stressing that such comments are defamatory, hurtful, and socially unacceptable.
This incident has reignited discussions surrounding public accountability, the dignity of women, and the responsibilities of public figures and their families.