UP minister distributes cosmetics, lingerie to men as Holi gift; draws flak

Lucknow: Distributing gifts at a Holi function has landed Uttar Pradesh’s minister of state for religious affairs Vijay Kumar Mishra into trouble.

The minister had gone to attend an event organised by Rajya Sanyukt Karmachari Parishad, a government employees’ union at Ghazipur.

In the event he gave away prizes to 10 employees who were selected through a lottery.

However, what turned out to be shocking for everyone, were the items kept inside the gifts. As the men in the all-male gathering unwrapped the gifts they found women's cosmetics and lingerie in them.

As per a Hindustan Times report, some of the men began throwing the items inside the gift pack - lipstick, ‘bindi’, mascara and lingerie - at their colleagues. Some also recorded video of the whole act.

This did not go down well with many women's rights activists who later condemned the act.

The Opposition too did not lose the opportunity and attacked Mishra.

“The act was disrespectful towards women and the state government should immediately seek the minister’s resignation,” BJP’s media in charge for eastern UP Sanjay Bhardwaj was quoted as saying by HT.

Meanwhile, defending himself on the issue, Mishra claimed that he had received the invitation to be the chief guest and was unaware about the items kept inside the gifts.