'Bihar girls for Haryana men' remark leads to uproar

A BJP leader's remark that his party would get girls from Bihar so that Haryana men can marry triggered a storm in the Bihar assembly Monday, with JD-U and RJD legislators disrupting the proceedings and demanding his arrest.

The Bihar assembly was Monday adjourned thrice over BJP leader O.P. Dhankar's remark.

Incensed legislators of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) demonstrated against Dhankar's remark at the gate of the assembly and later created a ruckus in the house.

On Sunday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kisan Morcha national president Dhankar allegedly said the party would get girls from Bihar to ensure that men in Haryana can get married. He made the remark during a meeting of party workers in Haryana, a state known for its skewed sex ratio.

A ruling JD-U legislator said: "The state assembly proceedings were disrupted as noisy scenes were again witnessed soon after the house started at 3 p.m. and the speaker adjourned the house till 4.45 p.m."

Earlier, the assembly was adjourned twice before noon and afternoon following the ruckus by JD-U and RJD members.

The JD-U and RJD legislators shouted slogans and demanded Dhankar's arrest for his statement.

Former chief minister Rabri Devi said she was shocked that BJP leaders in Bihar are downplaying the issue of Dhankar, who has attacked "our honour and prestige".

"Dhankar has hit every Bihari, including men, women, politicians, mediamen to workers and intellectuals alike," she said.

RJD legislator Bhai Dinesh said: "Dhankar has insulted the daughters of Bihar but it is unfortunate that the BJP leaders are defending him over his remark. We will not sit silent till he is arrested."

Earlier, RJD chief Lalu Prasad condemned Dhankar's statement and threatened to chop off his ear for insulting Bihar.

All political parties have asked the BJP to take strict action against Dhankar and offer an unconditional apology to the girls and women in Bihar.

JD-U and RJD have sent out a political message by joining hands to corner the BJP in the assembly over Dhankar. It came a day after Lalu hinted about a possible political re-alignment between RJD and JD-U to take on a surging BJP in Bihar.