Patna: Political tensions flared in Bihar after a video circulated on social media purporting to show Girdhari Lal Sahu, the husband of Rekha Arya, Uttarakhand’s minister for women empowerment and child development, making a demeaning remark about women from the state.
In the clip, Sahu is heard saying that “girls are available in Bihar for 20–25 thousand rupees”, a statement that has drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum in Bihar, with leaders describing it as misogynistic and insulting.
I P Gupta, the national president of the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP), an ally of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), announced a reward for anyone who brings Sahu to Bihar to face questioning. In a post on X, Gupta said he would offer Rs 10 lakh to the person who “brings the Uttarakhand leader who made indecent remarks about the women of Bihar to the state”.
बिहार की महिलाओं पर अमर्यादित टिप्पणी करने वाले उत्तराखंड के नेता को बिहार पकड़ कर लाने वाले व्यक्ति को दूंगा 10 लाख रुपया इनाम। pic.twitter.com/eeD9yXmsJJ
— Er. I P Gupta Pan (@ErIPGupta1) January 2, 2026
The Purnea MP Pappu Yadav also reacted sharply, using abusive language to denounce the comment and calling for strict action against those who make such statements. His remarks, which included references to physical punishment, were widely criticised but underscored the depth of anger the video has provoked.
Opposition leaders said the comment reflected a broader culture of disrespect towards women and demanded accountability. Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly, was among those who condemned the remark, saying such statements were unacceptable and insulting to the dignity of women in the state.
The controversy has intensified political exchanges between Bihar and Uttarakhand, with calls for an apology and legal action growing louder. As of Monday evening, there had been no official response from Rekha Arya or the Uttarakhand government regarding the video or the remarks attributed to her husband.
