Ex-RJD leader’s ‘jersey cow’ remark on Tejashwi Yadav’s wife triggers row

Rajballabh Yadav has repeatedly targeted RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi

A former leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has triggered a row in Bihar with controversial remark on Tejashwi Yadav’s wife. Rajballabh Yadav, who was recently released from jail after spending nine and a half years in a POCSO case, took aim at Tejashwi Yadav, questioning the need for him to marry outside the state.

“Caste is used only for votes. When it came to marriage, where did the marriage take place? What was the need to get the marriage done in Haryana and Punjab? Was he getting a woman or a jersey cow? Was there no girl in the Yadav community,” he asked, without naming Tejashwi Yadav’s wife directly.

The former RJD leader was reportedly speaking at a public meeting in Nawada district.

Rajballabh Yadav has repeatedly targeted RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi.

Tejashwi Yadav got married to Rachel Codinho, his batchmate from DPS RK Puram, in the year 2021. After her marriage to Tejashwi, she adopted the name Rajshree Yadav.

Rajshree, originally from Rewari in Haryana, has stayed away from the political spotlight and is seldom seen in public, dedicating most of her time to their children -- daughter Katyayini (born March 2023) and a son born in May this year.

RJD hits back

In response to Rajballabh Yadav’s comments, the RJD reacted strongly – with the women’s wing of the party staging protests and burning the effigy of the former RJD leader, denouncing his remarks as indecent and unacceptable.

Former Nawada MLA and senior RJD leader Kaushal Yadav, in a press conference, said the comments were not just an attack on Rajshree Yadav but on the dignity of the backward and Dalit communities.

“Lalu Prasad Yadav is one of the top leaders of the country, the leader of the backward and Dalits. Making such derogatory comments against his daughter-in-law hurts the society. The entire society is heartbroken,” he said, according to a report by CNN-News18.

Kaushal Yadav further attacked Rajballabh’s record, recalling his conviction in the POCSO case.

“Ten years ago, Nitish Kumar government sent him to jail in a case of raping a Kurmi girl. Now, after coming out of jail, is it like a reward for him to abuse Lalu Yadav’s daughter-in-law? Is looking at women and girls with wrong intentions his only identity?” he asked.

He added that Rajshree Yadav, who stays away from the limelight, had no role in politics and did not deserve such attacks.