Indian Politics has seen many phases after it began its journey in 1947 post-independence. It is estimated that 200 parties were formed after the independence of India. And at present, there are nearly eight national parties and 52 recognised state parties.
Considering the huge number of parties, they will have numerous members as well. Not all of them have the same temperament and skills. But all these members are a face.
Many times we have seen many Politicians give statements that are ridiculous and absurd. Let’s have a look at 10 such comments or statements from the history of Indian Politics.
#1Can Marital Status Mean Asking About Your Virginity?
Have you faced any questionnaire by any government authority that asks you to fill your virginity status? Well, this happened in Patna’s Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in 2017 that the employees had to answer bizarre questions in the marital status declaration form.
They were asked to answer irrelevant questions such as whether they are virgins and the numbers of wives they have. The hospital was at fault, but the matter got worse when the then Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey supported the act by saying the following:
“Virgin, as per the dictionary, means an unmarried and pure girl. So all these words are not objectionable.”
We as Indian always try to look up to the authorities to bring us the right decisions and do things that aim for a better society. But such comments let us down.
News18 shared the options given to the employees in the form, and you will be amused to read those. Mind you, the spelling mistakes are not made by us!
The options are:
1. I am a ”bechelor”/widower/vergin (sic).
2. I am married and have only one wife living.
3. I am married to a person who has no other wife living/ I am married to a person who has another wife living.
#2 Punishing The Victim? Is It Justice?
SP’s state president Abu Azmi attracted criticism for his statements in 2014 about rape survivors. He said, “If a woman is caught (in a rape case), then both she and the boy should be punished. In India, there is a death penalty for rape, but when there’s consensual sex outside marriage, there’s no death penalty against women.” The copy of the conversation was recorded by mid-day in an article.
He may have denied or corrected his verdict. Still, such statements from highly influential people should not be entertained and are dangerous for the country. It is the responsibility of every individual to use their right to speak effectively.
#3 No Electricity Is the Reason Of Growing Population!
“If there is electricity in every village, people will watch TV till late at night and then fall asleep. They won’t get a chance to produce children. When there is no electricity, there is nothing else to do but produce babies,” the Ex Union health minister, Gulam Nabi Azad…
As per reports, Azad was addressing a World Population Day function in Delhi while he made this statement. He said that it might help to give away prizes to rural couples who married after 18 years of age. And also suggested that those wedded after 30-31 years should be awarded for delaying population growth.
Maybe his intentions were right, to curb the population growth, which is now a big concern for the world. But his approach and selection of words haven’t been so fashionable.
#4 Four Children Per Women For Hinduism?
The Hindu in 2015 reported that Sakshi Maharaj addressed a gathering of saints where he tried to justify his theory of four children by raising the popular stereotype about Muslim community.
He didn’t take the name of any community. However, his words were, “The concept of four wives and forty children just won’t work in India but it is high time that every Hindu woman must produce at least four children to protect the Hindu religion.”
Though an old comment but such statements threat the integrity of the country. People at high and respectable posts should be generous to every sect, and they should lead the example of better India.
#5 Why Blame Couples?
India is trying to fight against crimes against women, amid these, comments like the one by Dharamvir Goyat are something that let us all down.
He was quoted by TOI, “If we go into the details of rape cases and abductions, it is found that victims and accused in 90% of cases are runaway couples. So the cases are consensual” he said.
The incident is from 2012 but still is an embarrassment to the Haryana Pardesh Congress Committee (HPCC), of which he was a member.
India has seen people become more sensitive towards the rising cases, but the battle is still on. We haven’t eradicated this evil yet, and it’s a shame for all of us until the evil is dead. Crimes against women are an embarrassment for the whole country.
#6 Can Lipstick And Powder Make You Terrorist?
Do you see women wearing lipstick and powder as terrorists? Well, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, a BJP Leader picturised it this way back in 2008.
Indianexpress quotes him saying, “Some women wearing lipstick and powder have taken to streets in Mumbai and are abusing politicians, thus spreading dissatisfaction against democracy. This is what terrorists are doing in Jammu and Kashmir.”
The voices of our political leaders are the voices of the country. If these voices become so irresponsible, then what will be the image of our country internationally?
#7 Boys Will Be Boys!
“Boys will be boys, they commit mistakes” seem fine until it’s a small boy doing some cute little prank. But if the same is said for a case involving the modesty of a woman, then is it acceptable to the society?
Mulayam Singh Yadav was quoted by Indianexpress in 2014 saying, “Ladkiyan pehle dosti karti hain. Ladke-ladki mein matbhed ho jata hai. Matbhed hone key baad usey rape ka naam dey deti hain. Ladko sey galti ho jati hai. Kya rape case mein phasi di jayegi? (First girls develop friendship with boys. They when differences occur, they level rape charges. Boys commit mistakes. Will they be hanged for rape).”
If this be the thoughts and mindset of our leaders in the country, then are we going to be safe ever? It’s a question many have asked but never received a satisfying answer. Are we ever going to be a better society where women are safe?
#8 Are Numbers So Important In Such Instances?
K J George’s comment is so gross! Is the crime more serious or the number of people involved? It’s the responsibility of everyone to be sensitive to such topics. First, we failed the girl when she had to face such an ordeal and yet again releasing such comments are like an insult to the victim!
News18 recorded George’s apology after the comments, but a statement once made in public can never be taken back. It stays in society and shows the failure of our system.
#9 Finally Population Is The Culprit!
In 2013, Mamta Banerjee was heard saying these words in the State Assembly. The complete statement by her goes as follows:
“Population in our state as well as in the country is increasing. Do you think that West Bengal has the same population now as it was during the tenure of Bidhan Chandra Roy ?”
“The population is increasing, number of vehicles is also on the rise. Infrastructure is increasing and also the shopping malls. Our young boys and girls are becoming modern. Don’t you welcome this,” Mamta asked the opposition that was raising questions on West Bengal’s law and order situation.
The comments are not something one never expects from the chief minister of a state. However, we had the misfortune to hear this in 2013 as recorded by Economic Times.
#10 #DespiteBeingAWoman
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, too couldn’t stay safe from controversial statements. While addressing to the Indian Community in Bangladesh at the Dhaka University.
As quoted by NDTV, PM Modi had said, “It is heartening that Prime Minister of Bangladesh despite the fact that she is a woman is openly saying that she has zero-tolerance for terrorism. I would like to congratulate Sheikh Hasina for her firmness to deal with the menace.”
Some people did not find the comment appropriate and called it ‘sexist’. Being in such a reputed position, even the slightest of faults can bring massive backlash. And when it’s about the nation, everyone must be extra cautious.
Politicians reflect the face of India and their views and ideologies reflect our society in the international eyes. Every politician holds the responsibility to withhold the pride of India, and their every comment should be well measured. They are a social figure who, the world is listening, and we can’t expect them to bring disgrace with their words because it would be a disgrace to the nation as a whole.
