Bihar CM Nitish Kumar apologizes after population control remarks row
What's the story
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar apologized on Wednesday for remarks he made on population control in the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday. Kumar had said Bihar's fertility rate has come down from 4.3 to 2.9 while attributing the reduction to the rise in women's education. He stated that educated women influence their husband's behavior during sexual intercourse, triggering backlash from various quarters.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Kumar made the remarks on women's education while tabling the socio-economic and education data of the caste survey conducted in the state. Kumar's remarks sparked a war of words between the leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in opposition in Bihar, and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), formed to challenge the BJP's government in the Centre.
Twitter Post
I apologize if my remarks are being condemned: Kumar
#WATCH | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says, "I apologise & I take back my words..." pic.twitter.com/wRIB1KAI8O
— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2023
Statement
What exactly did Kumar say?
Kumar, in a veiled remark, said that although women can not restrict the frequency of sexual intercourse, the educated ones make their partners discharge semen outside of their bodies, which brings the fertility rate down. BJP leaders called Kumar's statement obscene, adding that it brought shame to Bihar's 6.5 crore women. They said women and girls will shy away from attending his events.
Reaction
BJP legislators stop Kumar from entering assembly
Meanwhile, BJP legislators launched a protest on Wednesday and tried to restrict Kumar from entering the assembly. However, he managed to gain entry to the House through the legislative council building. Kumar's deputy, Tejashwi Yadav, defended his remarks, saying that it was taught to children in schools as part of sex education. Their ally, Congress MLA Neetu Devi, said Kumar's intention was not bad.
NCW
NCW chief Rekha Sharma, Priyanka Chaturvedi cross swords over row
Earlier, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma demanded Kumar's apology, calling his remarks an affront to women's dignity. She sought support from Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Priyanka Chaturvedi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Atishi, and Congress's Priyanka Gandhi in condemning Kumar, all of whom are Kumar's allies. A war of words erupted between Chaturvedi and Sharma, with both accusing each other of selective outrage.
Figures
Kumar cited data showing jump in women's literacy
Bihar's fertility rate continues to lag behind the national average of 2.0. Furnishing survey data, Kumar said the state's sex ratio had improved from 918 to 953 women per 1,000 men since the 2011 census. He said the literacy rate improved from 69.8% to 79.8% and highlighted a "relatively bigger jump among females." He proposed increasing the state's reserved quota from 50% to 75%.