BJP leader OP Dhankar stokes controversy, promises `Bihari wives for Haryana men`

Zee Media Bureau/Sushmita Dutta

Chandigarh: Giving a bizarre solution to solve the acute sex ratio in the state, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader OP Dhankar stoked a big controversy by reportedly saying that the party would get girls from Bihar to ensure that men in Haryana can get married. Dhankar`s unethical statement came days after Trinamool Congress leader Tapas Pal was caught on camera saying that he would send his men to the homes of Communist Party leaders to rape their women. Addressing the Kisan Mahasammelan at Narwana in Haryana on Friday, BJP`s National Kisan Morcha president OP Dhankar reportedly said, “There are many unmarried young men in the villages of Haryana, so men can bring wives from Bihar.” With Haryana infamous for its skewed sex ratio of 879 girls per 1,000 males, according to 2011 Census, Dhankar said a bunch of 150-200 youths in many villages were unable to find brides. Dhankar, who is BJP Kisan Morcha President and had lost the Lok Sabha polls to Congress` Deepinder Hooda from Rohtak, further said, "Main jab chunav kshetra main ghoom raha thaa tho sunta thaa Bihar aur dusri jagahon se ladkiyon ko rahe hain(When I was touring the constituency, I used to hear tales that some youths were bringing brides from Bihar and other places.) “Maine unse kaha, Sushil Modi mera yaar hai, rishtey karwaenge to dhang se karwaenge, yaha waha se lena-dena churva denge (Sushil Modi is a good friend of mine, we will ensure a compatible match and do away with bringing brides from anywhere),” an English news channel quoted him saying. With this remark Dhankar gave enough ammunition to the rival parties to hit back. Strongly condemning the Haryana BJP leader, All India Women Congress (AIWC) president Shobha Oza said, “He (OP Dhankar) seems to be supporting Human trafficking, he should apologize for his statement.” “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 these people are anti-women. Such people want to create hatred. This is very dangerous for the country," JD(U) leader Ali Anwar said, ANI reported. Ridiculing Dhankar`s suggestion, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said,"What meaning does his words have? Marriage happens on its own. Many people from Haryana and Bihar have married. That happens by consent, not by force. There are strange people in the country and the media is spreading such statements by people," he added, PTI reported. CPI leader D Raja also criticised Dhankar and said that the political parties need to educate their leaders on these matters. "That is patriarchal mindset. Gender quality and treating women equally and with dignity continues to remain an issue an India. This needs to be addressed. Political parties will have to cultivate and educate their leaders on these matters." he said. Meanwhile, Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi defended OP Dhankar by saying that his statements were twisted by the media. "What Dhankar meant was that many incidents have come to light in Haryana where girls from Bihar are being bought with money and then are married off," he clarified. With agency inputs