Maharashtra minister proposes use of word 'Ganga Bhagirathi' to refer to widows

In a development that triggered a political row in Maharashtra, the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government has proposed to refer to widows as ‘Ganga-Bhagirathi’ - inviting the ire of opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and social organisations and women’s groups.

According to state Women and Child Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, the aim is to bestow respect to the women who have lost their husbands.

In a letter to the Principal Secretary in-charge of the Woman and Child Development Department, Lodha said that the government at the Centre and state have launched several initiatives to reach all sections of the society. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed for use of ‘divyang’ instead of ‘viklang’ and this has brought in a big change in how the society looked at them,” he said.

Lodha said that the government is suggesting the use of ‘Ganga-Bhagirathi’ for widows and directed the Women and Child Development Department to put up a proposal for discussion.

Later in a video statement, Lodha said: “The issue is only under consideration and no action has been taken in this direction. I can assure you that no action will be taken until the proposal is submitted and properly discussed in the department.”

Maharashtra State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar initially welcomed the move of the government to accord respect to women but later took a U-turn.

The MVA partners - NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have slammed the government.

“It is a painful decision,” NCP Baramati MP Supriya Sule said. “Women icons like Rajmata Jijabai, Ahilyabai Holkar, Savitribai Phule contributed a lot to the society. While deciding on such a sensitive issue the government should have consulted NGOs, individuals and organisations working for welfare of widows,” she said.

“Its a blot on progressive Maharashtra and the minister must apologise to women,” state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Dr Manisha Kayande said that the government is trying to create a new identity for widows. “This shows their manuwadi ideology,” she said.