Patna: Politicians across party lines in Bihar have slammed Girdhari Lal Shahu, husband of Uttarakhand minister Rekha Arya, for his controversial remark that girls from the eastern state are available for marriage for Rs 20,000-Rs 25,000.
The comment, made at an event in Almora last month, has sparked outrage after a purported video surfaced on social media showing Shahu allegedly saying, “Will you get married in old age? If you are unable to get married, we will bring a girl for you from Bihar; you can get one there for Rs 20,000 to 25,000.”
Senior Bihar BJP leader Dilip Jaiswal, former state unit president, denounced the remarks, saying, “People using such language are not anybody's husband or son. That was a wrong act, and we condemn them.” The ruling BJP in Uttarakhand also condemned the statement, clarifying that Shahu has no connection with the party and sought to distance itself from him.
RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad described the language as an insult to the women of Bihar, calling it “not appropriate from any angle.” He said it posed a test for BJP national working president Nitin Nabin, questioning whether action would be taken against the minister or her husband. Ahmad also accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of undermining women, referencing the recent incident in which the CM forcibly removed the niqab of a female doctor at a government event.
The women’s wing of the RJD staged a protest march in Patna on Saturday, burning a BJP effigy. RJD spokesperson Sarika Paswan said Shahu’s remarks generalised all “sisters and daughters of Bihar, including those of BJP leaders,” demanding strict action so such statements are not repeated. She added, “The BJP is proving what their leaders' and ministers' feelings are towards daughters.”
Independent MP Pappu Yadav also criticised Shahu, calling such people “cow dung” and stating, “The government should sort out such cases through a speedy trial or permanently cut the tongues of those who use such language. Their approach towards women has always been like this.”
Shahu has since issued an apology following the public uproar. The Congress described the remarks as an “insult” to Indian women and demanded an apology from the BJP.
Meanwhile, a criminal case has been registered against Shahu in the court of ACJM, Muzaffarpur (West). The litigant claimed the statement was a deliberate attempt to disgrace the women of Bihar and malign their culture. The court has scheduled the hearing for January 12.
With PTI inputs