‘Slip of Tongue’: Rabri Devi Comes to Nitish Kumar’s Defence Amid Row Over His ‘Vulgar’ Remark

Former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi on Wednesday said that it was a mistake on the part of CM Nitish Kumar for his remark on population control and underlined that he has apologised.

Devi, the wife of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, said it was a “slip of his tongue” for which the CM has already apologised.

“The chief minister was explaining the caste census. It was a slip of his tongue for which he already apologised. What is the need for this uproar? The Assembly should proceed,” Hindustan Times quoted Devi as saying.

Earlier today, Nitish Kumar apologised for his remark on population control and said he takes his statement back if it gives a wrong message. He said that the state leads in women’s development and added: “I apologise for my statement, take back my statement if it has sent a wrong message.”

While addressing the legislators, which included some women leaders as well, in the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday, Nitish Kumar went on to explain how women’s education contributes to population control. He was presenting the data of the latest caste census conducted by his government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the INDIA bloc leaders for not taking a stand against Nitish Kumar. While addressing a rally in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, he said the chief minister should be ashamed of his words adding that he was defaming the nation.

Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said that the chief minister’s remark was about sex education and could be considered wrong only if someone misinterprets it.

Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), demanded an apology from the Bihar CM.

“NCW on behalf of every woman in this country demand an immediate and unequivocal apology from CM Nitish Kumar. His crass remarks in the Vidhan Sabha are an affront to the dignity and respect that every woman deserves,” she said.

“Such derogatory and cheap language used during his speech is a dark stain on our society. If a leader can make such comments so openly in a democracy, one can only imagine the horror the state must be enduring under his leadership. We stand firm against such behaviour and call for accountability,” the NCW chief said.