ISLAMABAD: A controversy has erupted over remarks made by Girdhari Lal Sahu, husband of Uttarakhand Women and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya, belonging to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), suggesting that girls in Bihar are “sold” for a fixed sum in marriage.
The statement has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties as well as the BJP’s Bihar unit, which has demanded an apology.
Sahu made the comments while addressing a public gathering in Almora district of Uttarakhand earlier this week.
Derogatory and demeaning remarks
A video clip of his speech, which has since gone viral on social media, shows him speaking to young BJP workers in the audience and urging them to marry at what he described as the “right time”.
In the video, Sahu is heard saying, “You are young now, when will you get married? In old age? If you are unable to get married, we will bring a girl for you from Bihar. There, you get girls for ₹20,000 to ₹25,000.”
The remarks were widely criticized as derogatory and demeaning towards women of Bihar.
While Arya and the Uttarakhand BJP have not issued any official response, the party’s Bihar unit distanced itself from the statement.
Bihar BJP spokesperson Prabhakar Mishra said women could not be treated as commodities and termed the remark an insult to both Bihar and its women.
He added that action would be ensured against individuals making such statements.
Following the backlash, Sahu released another video claiming his remarks were misrepresented.
He alleged that the Opposition had distorted a casual conversation to create controversy.
“I deeply respect women and can never speak ill of them,” he said, asserting that his words were taken out of context.
‘Extremely objectionable’
The explanation failed to placate critics. Apsara, chairperson of the Bihar State Women Commission, condemned the remarks as reflecting “intellectual bankruptcy” and said the Commission had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and would seek a written apology.
BJP ally Janata Dal (United) MP Rampreet Mandal described the statement as “extremely objectionable” and demanded an immediate apology.
Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram also criticized the remark, alleging it reflected a pattern of disrespect towards the people of Bihar and calling for an apology from Sahu.
