PM Modi Slams Nitish Kumar For Using 'Derogatory' Language On Population Control

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for using 'derogatory' language against women in Bihar assembly.

Modi criticised the Janata Dal (United) leader and expressed that neither Kumar nor the INDIA alliance seemed to show remorse for such statements. Kumar faced severe backlash for his comments on population control in Bihar, including the use of inappropriate language in the state assembly.

Without explicitly mentioning Kumar, PM Modi remarked, "A big leader of the INDI alliance, 'Ghamandiya Gathbandhan' used indecent language for women inside Assembly yesterday. They are not ashamed. No leader of the INDI alliance said a single word against it. People who think like this about women, can they do anything good for you?"

Earlier in the day, Nitish Kumar issued apologies both within and outside the Bihar assembly for his remarks made the previous day regarding the importance of women's education in controlling population growth. These comments had triggered a strong opposition reaction, leading to the adjournment of the assembly.

The Bihar Assembly's proceedings were quickly adjourned until 2 pm on Wednesday as the opposition BJP persisted in demanding Kumar's resignation.

Despite being present in the House, the chief minister stood up to offer his explanation and stated, "I have expressed my regret while speaking to journalists outside the House. I am willing to do so again. If my words have caused any offense, I condemn myself (main apni ninda karta hoon)."

The veteran leader said, "The context in which I made the remarks should not be overlooked. I have always been a strong advocate of women's education, and it was a moment of realization for me when I observed a direct link between women's education levels and fertility rates."

As the House convened at 11 am, Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha rose in his seat, alleging that Kumar had become "mentally unfit" to govern the state and should step down.

The opposition members, unmoved by Kumar's apology, protested vehemently, raising slogans against the chief minister and persistently demanding his resignation.

On Tuesday, Kumar had provided a vivid description in the assembly of how an educated woman can influence her husband during sexual intercourse.

He had stated, "The husband's actions led to more births. However, with education, a woman knows how to restrain him... this is the reason the numbers (of births) are decreasing," using colloquial language.

Kumar had pointed out that as a result of education, the fertility rate, which was previously 4.3, had now decreased to 2.9.

The opposition BJP accused Kumar of bringing shame to the state's women by discussing the procreation process in detail.

The Speaker informed the unruly opposition members, "You have no right to demand the resignation of the chief minister, who enjoys the confidence of the people. He has expressed regret for his statements. Furthermore, we will review the records, and if any part of his speech is found to be unparliamentary, it will be removed from the proceedings."

However, as the commotion persisted, the Speaker adjourned the House until lunch.

In the meantime, women's wings of Left parties, which support the state's ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' government, released statements condemning the chief minister's remarks.

CPI(M) affiliate AIDWA and CPI(ML) Liberation-affiliated AIPWA issued statements demanding an apology from the chief minister and asserting that the language used by the veteran leader and his "body language" was "vulgar" and indicative of patriarchy.

These women's organizations also criticized the female members of the House for their "failure to raise objections on the floor of the House" and alleged that it demonstrated "their primary concern is their own political careers."