You give birth, why should government bear expense? Uttar Pradesh BJP leader to women

BJP lawmaker in Uttar Pradesh Ramesh Diwaker courted controversy after he told a group of women, who approached him with requests of fee waiver of their children, that they (women) give birth and expect the government to bear the expenses incurred on their education.

''Bachche paida karen aap, aur kharcha uthaye sarkar?''(You give birth, why should government bear their expenses?), Diwaker remarked, when some women approached with applications for fee waiver of their children, who are students at a private school in Auraiya district in the state, about 150 kilometres from Lucknow.

The remarks of Diwaker came during a 'jansunwai' (public interaction) program in Auraiya on Sunday. Diwaker is an MLA from the district.

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The BJP legislator also asked the women to send their children to government schools. ''No fee is charged in the government schools....you (women) should send your children there,'' he told the women.

The matter came to light when someone shot a video of the MLA's remarks and posted it on social media. The video has gone viral on social media platforms.

The Opposition leaders slammed Diwakar and said that the remarks reflect the 'anti-women' mindset of the saffron party. ''BJP leaders have no respect for the women,'' said a senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader.