Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says all his sex gyaan was 'yun hi', apologises after outcry

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's recent derogatory comments in the state assembly have sparked a firestorm of controversy and condemnation. The 72-year JDU veteran's graphic remarks during a discussion on the importance of girls' education in controlling population growth have drawn severe criticism from women's rights advocates and opposition politicians.

The opposition, led by the BJP, has labeled the remarks as "misogynistic, vulgar, and patriarchal."

Kumar, on Wednesday, November 8, apologised for the statement, stating that his words were made "just like that."

What did he say?

• Kumar, in the full house, was discussing women's awareness of birth control following the release of the Bihar Caste Census 2022, albeit in a less respectful manner.
• His remarks, which included a near-graphic description, drew criticism from various quarters.
• He highlighted the decrease in the fertility rate from 4.3 to 2.9 and suggested that further reduction could be achieved by following the same approach.

Graphic warning. The video:

(Fertility rate or total fertility rate refers to the average number of child/children that a female could expect to have during her reproductive life.)

• During the comments, a female legislator seated behind Kumar lowered her head, and some opposition lawmakers who attempted to voice their objections were promptly silenced by him.
• Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who was seen smiling at the comments made, later, defended the statement after all this and said, the remarks were merely related to sex education and emphasised the importance of discussing the topic.
• He stated, "It’s biology, children study it."

Outrage followed

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) was quick to denounce Nitish Kumar's comments, with NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma expressing her strong disapproval.
• She demanded an "unequivocal apology" from the chief minister and said, "Such derogatory and cheap language used during his speech is a dark stain on our society."

• She further highlighted the broader implications of such comments in a democratic society, suggesting that they could indicate deeper issues within the state's leadership.
• A day later, Sharma said, "The way he spoke was like a C Grade movie dialogue in the Assembly in front of women and the worst was the men sitting behind him were laughing."

• Sharma's call for an apology was echoed by Swati Maliwal, the head of Delhi's women's panel, who also sought an immediate apology from the Bihar Chief Minister.

• The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised Nitish Kumar's remarks, branding them as "vulgar" and "misogynistic."
• BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla aid the language used by the Chief Minister as "the most vulgar, indecent, most misogynistic, sexist, and patriarchal."

• Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, a senior BJP leader from Bihar, went further, calling for Nitish Kumar's resignation, stating that he had tarnished the dignity and decorum of democracy with his comments.