Sushil Modi defends O.P. Dhankar over his controversial statement

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Sunday defended party leader O P Dhankar after the latter made a controversial statement saying the party would get girls from Bihar to ensure that men in Haryana can get married.

"I had a word with him (Dhankar). He has denied making such statement. Media has quoted him out of context," said Sushil Modi.

He said there have been numerous cases that have come into light where girls from Bihar were taken by Haryana people by giving money to their families.

"He (Dhankar) has said that this buying and selling of girls will be stopped and proper marriages will be carried out. Therefore there is nothing wrong in this statement," Modi added.

Dhankar's comment had reportedly drawn flak from opposition leaders.

Janata Dal (United) leader Ali Anwar said, "This is very inappropriate and wrong statement. Action should be taken against him. We have very good relations with Haryana but by giving such statement they spread communalism and that the men there are anti-women. Such people want to create hatred. This is very dangerous for the country."

CPI leader D Raja also said that the political parties need to educate their leaders on these matters.