War of words between NCW chief and Priyanka Chaturvedi over Nitish Kumar's remarks on women
New Delhi (PTI): A war of words broke out between NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's remarks on the importance of women's education to control the population.
The Bihar chief minister, while emphasising the importance of education among women to control the population, put forward a vivid description in the state assembly on Tuesday of how an educated woman can restrain her husband during sexual intercourse.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) strongly criticised Kumar's statements, labelling them as regressive and profoundly insensitive to women's rights and choices. The NCW called for an apology from the chief minister, asserting that his offensive remarks affected women across the country.
Chief Minister Kumar apologised for his remarks on Wednesday.
NCW chief Rekha Sharma took to social media, demanding an immediate and clear apology from Kumar. She condemned his derogatory language and emphasized the need for accountability.
Sharma also tagged other prominent female leaders, including Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena (UBT), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the Congress and Atishi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urging them to condemn Kumar's remarks and demand an apology.
"It will be good if the champions of the women's cause @priyankac19 @priyankagandhi @BDUTT @AtishiAAP and their friend join in to condemn and demand apology from @NitishKumar," Sharma posted.
Chaturvedi, in response, said selective silence and selectively action are doing a huge disservice to Sharma's chair as NCW chief which is supposedly non-partisan.
"My dear biased, politically motivated Madam, I do unequivocally condemn any language used for women which is derogatory-irrespective of my politics, even if it comes from an ally. I am also certain that Chief Minister will revisit his usage of words and apologise. Unfortunately as far as I recall, whenever we expected you to stand up for women, you chose selective silence and selectively action- doing a huge disservice to your chair as NCW which is supposedly nonpartisan," the MP replied.
Sharma hit back at Chaturvedi.
"My not so Dear Priyanka ji do you remember how you showed your inability to do anything against a leader who was once upon a time in your party when I showed you all the proofs of his deeds? How unbiased you were...remember?" Sharma said, without naming anyone.
Chaturvedi asked Sharma to show responsibility to the chair rather than being a troll.
"What stopped you from taking action? In fact I had told you if you have the proof etc there's nothing much I can do! Did I tie your hands, legs or seal your lips? You were in the position of power to do so! In fact you can still do it, but I know what's stopping you, your love for your party and its allies. Now that you wish to make it a slugfest, happy to help take it to conclusion!" she said on X.
"In the interest of transparency, I urge NCW chair @sharmarekha to bring the allegation against the person in the public domain and pursue it with relevant authorities. I could not do it then, I cannot do it now since it is only her who has the evidence. Show your responsibility to the chair and do the needful rather than being a troll," she added.
On behalf of every woman in this country, as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, I demand an immediate and unequivocal apology from the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar. His crass remarks in the Vidhan Sabha are an affront to the dignity and respect that… https://t.co/xNom7jqnzq
— Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) November 7, 2023
It will be good if the champions of the women's cause @priyankac19 @priyankagandhi @BDUTT @AtishiAAP and their friend join in to condemn and demand apology from @NitishKumar https://t.co/TDDUuywNET
— Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) November 7, 2023
My dear biased, politically motivated Madam, I do unequivocally condemn any language used for women which is derogatory-irrespective of my politics, even if it comes from an ally. I am also certain that Chief Minister will revisit his usage of words and apologise. Unfortunately… https://t.co/iRrhRSbfa7
— Priyanka ChaturvediđŸ‡®đŸ‡³ (@priyankac19) November 7, 2023
My not so Dear Priyanka ji do you remember how you showed your inability to do anything against a leader who was once upon a time in your party when I showed you all the proofs of his deeds? How unbiased you were..remember? https://t.co/9s9rt1E3x1
— Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) November 7, 2023
What stopped you from taking action? In fact I had told you if you have the proof etc there’s nothing much I can do! Did I tie your hands, legs or seal your lips? You were in the position of power to do so! In fact you can still do it, but I know what’s stopping you, your love… https://t.co/UqwTHCHtk8
— Priyanka ChaturvediđŸ‡®đŸ‡³ (@priyankac19) November 8, 2023
Again playing politics..I did that long back when he was in your party and still working on it. Remember when I toled you to talk to your than CM and you showed your inability. Do something other than party hopping. https://t.co/1Z92ZNt4dC
— Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) November 8, 2023
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
