New Delhi: 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.
Speaking at the Kisan Mahasammelan at Narwana on Friday, Dhankar gave the suggestion as a solution to solve the skewed sex ratios in the state.
"There are many unmarried young men in villages. I've seen this during election campaign also. I was told they are bringing girls from Bihar and other places. We will take care of this, Sushil Modi is my friend and we will get all the young men married," OP Dhankar said.
However, defending Dhankar, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said that his statement has been 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 said.
Meanwhile, the opposition missed no chance to hit out at the BJP leader. "This is a 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," JDU leader Ali Anwar said.
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 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.
