Haryana Minister in tears as Congress MLA's remarks create uproar

While the country celebrated the International Women's Day, the Haryana assembly was plunged into an uproar on Wednesday when an opposition woman member's personal remarks left a woman minister in tears.

Later, the government moved a motion condemning the opposition Congress legislator Geeta Bhukkal's remarks, and the assembly carried it.

The trouble started when former Congress Minister Geeta Bhukkal criticised the Haryana government for not observing the Women' Day with a state-level function.

The assembly, during its ongoing Budget session, had allotted time for women legislators to raise issues on Women's Day.

Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain replied that such a function will be held on March 15 in Sonepat.

Bhukkal then accused Jain of giving "wrong information" in the house and said: "I condemn the government for not celebrating International Women's Day today (Wednesday). The minister is giving a wrong statement in the house. She does not even look into her files -- it is her husband Rajiv Jain (senior Haryana BJP leader) who does that."

Bhukkal's remarks led to an uproar as ministers and legislators of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party flayed the Congress member for her personal comments and Kavita Jain was reduced to tears.

The treasury benches sought Bhukkal's apology but she stood her ground.

Parliamentary Affairs and Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma too tried to sort out the issue but later moved a motion condemning Bhukkal's remarks. The motion was passed by the assembly.

Bhukkal later told the media that her intention was not to make personal comments against the minister and she was only raising an issue.

Jain told reporters that the incident proved "women are themselves the biggest enemy of women".

--IANS

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