New Delhi: Already facing flak in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, the BJP government is in more trouble for a misogynist remark made by Uttarakhand minister Rekha Arya’s husband.
A video of Girdhari Lal Sahu, husband of Uttarakhand Women and Child development minister, has caused much outrage on social media. In the video he says: “Will you get married in old age? If you’re unable to get married… we’ll bring a girl for you from Bihar—you can get one there for 20 to 25 thousand rupees,” he said in the video.
Speaking at an event in Almora, Sahu tells the audience, “Come with me, we’ll get you married.”
Following the controversy over his statement, Sahu released a video claiming his remarks were distorted and misrepresented and blamed the opposition for it.
Sahu said he was speaking at an event also attended by women. “In my address, I mentioned the marriage of one of my friends. Opposition leaders including the Congress have twisted that discussion and presented it in the media, which is completely wrong,” said Sahu, maintaining that he has utmost respect for women.
ThePrint messaged Rekha Arya over SMS and WhatsApp, but received no response. This report will be updated when and if she does respond.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the derogatory remark by Sahu, Bihar State Women’s Commission (BSWC) chairperson Apsara Friday wrote to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, urging him to initiate action against Sahu. Terming the remarks “unfortunate”, the BSWC chairperson told the media that if satisfactory action was not taken against Sahu, the commission would be compelled to take legal recourse.
“The statement made by Girdhari Lal Sahu, husband of Uttarakhand’s Honorable Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Development, Rekha Arya, regarding the women of Bihar, is extremely shameful and condemnable. His statement, ‘Girls in Bihar are available for 20,000-25,000 rupees,’ has deeply hurt the women of Bihar, and they feel insulted,” the letter said.
It added, “The Commission also believes that it is extremely unfortunate that a member of the family where the Honorable Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Development, Mrs. Rekha Arya, resides, would make such an offensive statement against women. The Bihar State Women’s Commission, Patna, considers this statement a direct attack on the self-respect of the women of Bihar.”
The Congress and other opposition parties launched sharp attacks on the BJP over Sahu’s statement.
BJP leaders in Bihar too expressed anger over Sahu’s statement. Bihar BJP spokesperson Prabhakar Mishra said action should be taken against the person who made the comment, terming it an insult not only to the women of Bihar but the entire country.
Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram said in a statement: “…it is the nature of the BJP to disrespect the people of Bihar… This kind of language is being used for the women of Bihar. Bihar will not tolerate this… He should apologise to the people of Bihar…”
Uttarakhand Mahila Congress state president Jyoti Rautela demanded an apology from Sahu. “A very shameful statement has been made by the husband of Uttarakhand Minister Rekha Arya. He should apologise for his statement…”
Congress spokesperson Sujata Paul demanded legal action against Sahu.
“The statement made by the minister’s husband is extremely serious, especially his claim that girls are available for Rs 20,000–25,000 in Bihar. This raises serious questions about whether he should be taken into custody and questioned, and whether the authorities should initiate legal action to identify who these girls are and whether he has any involvement in such crimes,” she said.
A number of Congress leaders termed it a reflection of a “misogynistic mindset” and also questioned how a government—where the minister responsible for women’s empowerment comes from a family that uses such language—could claim to safeguard the dignity and safety of women in the state.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar also expressed strong objections. The party alleged that such “disgusting” attitudes toward women from Bihar repeatedly surface among people associated with the BJP and the RSS.
It also demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that the BJP’s silence speaks volumes.
“We will bring a girl from Bihar! In Bihar, one can get her for just Rs 20-25 thousand! This is the disgusting mindset of BJP supporters and RSS members towards women from Bihar! On this, the Prime Minister and Home Minister should provide clarification on behalf of the BJP! But now, the mouths of Bihar BJP, JD(U), and all BJP leaders will be sealed! The shameless husband of Uttarakhand government minister Rekha Arya, Girdhari Lal, is revealing the BJP’s thinking towards women from Bihar,” the RJD posted on X.
This is an updated version of the report
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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