Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s recent remarks in the state Assembly have sparked controversy and condemnation from opposition leaders. During a heated session on Wednesday, Kumar lost his temper amid protests from the opposition, particularly from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, and directed an offensive comment towards RJD MLA Rekha Paswan.
The Assembly was fraught with tension as Kumar faced criticism over his government’s handling of reservation policies and special status for Bihar. The opposition parties, which include the RJD and Congress, raised slogans and accused Kumar of failing to address these issues effectively. The Patna High Court had recently overturned the Bihar government’s decision to increase the reservation cap to 65%, and the Union government rejected the state’s bid for special status, further intensifying the situation.
As the session progressed and opposition protests grew louder, Kumar reportedly lost his composure and remarked, “You are a woman, don’t you know anything?” This comment was directed at RJD MLA Rekha Paswan amid the ongoing disruption. Kumar’s statement was perceived as dismissive and derogatory, prompting strong reactions from across the political spectrum.
Tejashwi Yadav, senior RJD leader and former deputy chief minister, criticized Kumar for his comment, labeling it as part of a troubling pattern of disrespectful remarks towards women. Yadav took to social media to denounce Kumar’s behavior, accusing him of habitual insensitivity. He highlighted that Kumar had previously made controversial comments about women, including a lewd remark about a BJP woman MLA and an inappropriate statement regarding women’s education and pregnancy.
In response to the uproar, Kumar continued to assert that his government had taken substantial steps to support marginalized groups and insisted that his administration was committed to addressing the issues raised by the opposition. He also stated that his government plans to challenge the Patna High Court’s ruling in the Supreme Court.
The incident adds to a history of contentious remarks made by Kumar in the Bihar Assembly, which have previously drawn criticism from various quarters. In a notable instance last year, Kumar faced backlash for suggesting that women’s education could prevent unwanted pregnancies, a statement he later retracted following public outcry.
Sources By Agencies