A controversial statement allegedly made by the husband of a Uttarakhand minister, claiming brides from Bihar could be secured for a meager sum, has ignited a fierce political firestorm and widespread condemnation in Bihar. The incident, which came to light on Friday, has drawn sharp reactions from across the political spectrum, prompting the Bihar State Women Commission (BSWC) to take immediate legal notice.
Viral Video and Outrage Across Party Lines
In a video clip that rapidly spread across social media, Giridhari Lal Sahu, who is married to Uttarakhand's Women and Child Welfare Minister Rekha Arya, is seen conversing with a group of young men. During the interaction, Sahu inquired about their marital status and suggested that marriages could be arranged with girls from Bihar at a surprisingly low cost, reportedly mentioning figures between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000.
The remark was met with instant and severe backlash. The opposition INDIA bloc was quick to slam the statement, but significantly, partners within the ruling NDA alliance also joined in condemning the comment in strong terms, showcasing rare bipartisan unity on the issue.
Political Reactions and Demands for Action
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) demanded stringent action. Party spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan called for the dismissal of Minister Rekha Arya from the Uttarakhand cabinet and the expulsion of her husband from the BJP. He asserted that Bihar would not tolerate such derogatory language towards its women and challenged the BJP to demonstrate its morality by acting swiftly.
The Congress party escalated the matter by directly calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP's national working president Nitin Nabin to issue a public apology. Congress spokesperson Rajesh Rathore vehemently stated, "The women from Bihar are not for sale," and questioned the timing of the insult following Nabin's recent appointment.
Allies in the NDA government also reacted strongly. Ramprit Mandal, a JD(U) MP from Jhanjharpur and a member of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's party, threatened to drag Sahu to court if he did not tender a public apology by Friday evening. Similarly, the LJP(RV) spokesperson, Ranjan Singh, asked the BJP leadership to take action, stating his party would have expelled such a member immediately.
BJP's Response and Women Commission's Notice
The Bihar unit of the BJP distanced itself from the remark. Danish Iqbal, the state BJP's media head, condemned the statement, denying it represented the party's official line or culture. He emphasized that any disparaging comments against women from any region were completely improper.
In a decisive move, the Bihar State Women Commission (BSWC) took suo motu cognizance of the incident. The commission's chairperson, Apsara, described the comments as "unfair, indecent and intolerable" and issued a formal notice to Giridhari Lal Sahu. He has been given a 20-day deadline to present his position before the commission, failing which legal action will follow. The chairperson proudly highlighted the achievements of Bihari women, countering the offensive narrative.
The controversy underscores the sensitivity around regional dignity and women's respect in Indian politics, turning a personal remark into a major statewide issue demanding accountability.
