Bihar CM Nitish Kumar apologises on derogatory remark on women's education and population control

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's comments resulted in a backlash and widespread condemnation from different quarters

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on November 8 apologised for his remarks related to women's education and population control while speaking in the state Assembly yesterday. He told reporters he meant no disrespect to women and offered to take back his words if they had caused offence.

“I apologise and I take back my words…,” Nitish Kumar told reporters today as his comments resulted in a backlash and widespread condemnation from different quarters.

National Commission for Women (NCW)  'vehemently condemned' Kumar's remark. Chairperson Rekha Sharma said that the Bihar assembly should take steps against him and his statements must be expunged.

"Yesterday's statement of Bihar CM was derogatory, we are deeply concerned with this...The way he spoke was like a C Grade movie dialogue in the Assembly in front of women and the worst was the men sitting behind him were laughing...His actions and gestures were almost like an ugly joke...The worst is this, the Speaker hasn't expunged them yet...," she said.

On November 8, NCW wrote to Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker for action against Kumar regarding his remarks.

National Commission for Women writes to Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker urging for action against CM Nitish Kumar over his derogatory remarks and expunging of his remarks from Assembly records pic.twitter.com/7BE0s3QFsZ

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— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2023

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Kumar on November 7 sparked controversy in the Bihar assembly wherein he stressed the importance of education among women to control the population, but put forward a vivid description in the state assembly of how an educated woman can restrain her husband during sexual intercourse.

Opposition BJP's leader Vijay Sinha said that he should resign as he is 'no more worthy' of sitting in the Assembly. "His statements are to shame women. This is the land of the Maa Janki. The whole country saw how he embarrassed women in the Assembly. CM has lost his memory... He should resign... He is no more worthy of sitting in the Assembly..."

After Kumar apologised, BJP leader Sushil Modi said that even though he has apologised, the entire Bihar state was ashamed. "How did he have the courage to make such a sexist statement?..." he further added.

Although, state deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav clarified the statement saying that Kumar was talking about about sex education. "Let me clarify something. Whatever the chief minister was saying was about sex education. People become hesitant over this topic, but these are taught in schools -- in Science, Biology. Children learn this. He said what needs to be done practically to control the population. This should not be taken in a wrong manner," Yadav said.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders today protested inside Bihar assembly over CM Kumar's derogatory remark.