A BJP leader's remark that his party would get girls from Bihar so that men in Haryana can marry triggered a storm in the Bihar assembly Monday, with legislators disrupting the proceedings and demanding his arrest. A case was filed on charges of insulting the modesty of women, while the state women's commission also issued notice to the politician.
The Bihar assembly was Monday adjourned thrice over Bharatiya Janata Party leader O.P. Dhankar's remark.
Incensed legislators of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) demonstrated against Dhankar's remark at the gate of the assembly and later created a ruckus in the house.
On Sunday, BJP Kisan Morcha national president Dhankar had allegedly said the party would get girls from Bihar to ensure that men in Haryana can get married. He made the remark during a meeting of party workers in Haryana, a state known for its skewed sex ratio.
The JD-U and RJD legislators shouted slogans and demanded Dhankar's arrest for his statement.
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Former chief minister Rabri Devi said she was shocked that BJP leaders in Bihar were downplaying the issue of Dhankar, who she said attacked women's "honour and prestige".
"Dhankar has hit every Bihari, including men, women, politicians, mediamen to workers and intellectuals alike," she said.
RJD legislator Bhai Dinesh said: "Dhankar has insulted the daughters of Bihar but it is unfortunate that the BJP leaders are defending him over his remark. We will not sit silent till he is arrested."
RJD chief Lalu Prasad also condemned Dhankar's statement and threatened to chop off his ear for insulting Bihar.
All political parties asked the BJP to take strict action against Dhankar and offer an unconditional apology to the women in Bihar.
Meanwhile, a case was filed in the court of the chief judicial magistrate in Muzaffarpur district against Dhankar's remark by lawyer Prem Kumar Paswan.
The court will hear the case July 17.
The lawyer has slapped charges of defamation, insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, criminal intimidation and gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
Paswan said he has also filed a separate case on the same issue against Bihar BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi.
The Bihar Women's Commission took suo motu cognizance of reports about the BJP leader's remark, and issued notice to him, asking him to appear before it by Aug 13.
"The state women's commission issued notice to Dhankar, asking him to submit a reply in person by Aug 13," said commission chairperson Anjum Ara.
She said Dhankar's remark was "insulting" to women, and the commission would proceed against the BJP leader after receiving his reply.
