Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and Uttar Pradesh's State Minister for Labour, Manohar Lal Pant, popularly known as Mannu Kori, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm once again. This follows a series of viral videos where the minister's unconventional advice, particularly regarding domestic conduct and alcohol consumption, has captured public attention.
From Dance Floor to Public Address: The Minister's Viral Moments
The controversy began days after a video surfaced showing the minister joyfully dancing to a popular Hindi film song at a wedding function in the Lalitpur district. However, it was a subsequent clip that sparked wider discussion. In this video, recorded during a public event, Minister Mannu Kori is seen addressing a gathering of women in Hasira village, located in the Madawara block of Lalitpur.
The minister was there to distribute certificates under the state government's Mukhya Mantri Awas Yojna (Chief Minister's Housing Scheme) to beneficiaries. During his speech, he covered various topics, advising women to focus on their children's education, consume healthy food, and drink milk. He also made a unique appeal, asking them to set aside at least one chapati from each of their two daily meals for cows.
The 'Stick' Advice: A Personal Anecdote Against Alcohol
The tone of the address took a more forceful turn when the minister began speaking about the issue of alcohol abuse. In a lighter vein, Mannu Kori strongly denounced the drinking of alcohol and offered some stark advice to the women present.
"Keep a stick with you and thrash your husband if he enters home drunk and place his cot outside the home," the minister suggested. He then added a personal revelation to underscore his point, stating, "Even I quit drinking after being thrashed with a stick by my wife." This candid admission, linking his own sobriety to domestic discipline, is what propelled the video to viral status across multiple social media platforms.
Political Profile and Public Reaction
Manohar Lal Pant (Mannu Kori) is a two-term MLA representing the Meheroni constituency in Lalitpur district and is considered a loyalist of the ruling BJP. His straightforward, colloquial style of communication often resonates with his rural constituency but can also lead to national scrutiny when clips go viral.
The public reaction to his latest comments has been mixed. While some have criticised the minister for apparently endorsing violence, others in his support have interpreted his statements as a colourful, metaphorical way of advocating for women to stand firm against alcoholism within the family. The video has reignited debates on public figures' language, solutions for alcohol abuse, and gender dynamics in Indian households.
The incident highlights how off-the-cuff remarks by politicians, especially when captured on video, can quickly transcend local events and become topics of national conversation, often requiring careful navigation of the ensuing public discourse.
