Controversy erupted when a video surfaced showing Girdhari Lalu Sahu, the husband of Uttarakhand Women and Child Welfare Minister Rekha Arya, making disparaging remarks about women from Bihar. In the viral video, Sahu is heard suggesting that men who cannot find a bride can purchase one from Bihar for a price ranging from Rs 20,000 to 25,000.
The video sparked widespread outrage, with many condemning the comments as disrespectful and degrading to women. It brought attention to issues like gender exploitation, human trafficking, and child marriage prevalent in society.
Political figures from Bihar and Uttarakhand swiftly reacted to the incident. Jyoti Rautela, the state president of the Congress Mahila Morcha, labeled the remarks as “shameful” and criticized the underlying toxic mindset that perpetuates social evils like human trafficking and exploitation of women.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also weighed in, denouncing the statement and attributing it to the BJP’s negative attitude towards women. He sarcastically referred to previous allegations of BJP leaders engaging in vote-buying practices.
Sahu, who has a controversial history, faced backlash for his comments. He later released a video clarifying that his words were misinterpreted and taken out of context, claiming they were related to a friend’s marriage. He apologized if his remarks had caused offense or hurt.
The Uttarakhand BJP unit distanced itself from Sahu’s statements, emphasizing that he is not officially affiliated with the party. Meanwhile, the Bihar State Women Commission demanded a detailed explanation from Sahu, stressing that such comments are defamatory, hurtful, and socially unacceptable.
The incident reignited discussions on the accountability of public figures, the respect for women’s dignity, and the obligations of individuals in the public eye.
