Independent MP Pappu Yadav has sparked a controversy by allegedly insinuating that most women in India cannot enter politics without providing sexual favours to men in senior political positions.
“In India, women are called goddesses. But unfortunately, they will never be respected in the country. I hold the system and the larger society responsible for this,” he said on Monday, adding that 90% of women cannot start their political career without “entering the room of politicians,” a remark widely interpreted as implying sexual favours.
Following his remarks, the Bihar State Women Commission on Tuesday issued a notice to the Purnea MP, seeking his response within three days.
Yadav’s comments come against the backdrop of the women’s reservation bill failing to secure a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. With 298 votes in favour and 230 against, the bill fell short of the 352 votes required to amend the Constitution.
The defeat marked a rare instance in recent years when Opposition parties managed to unite and block a key government proposal, even as the NDA accused them of undermining a landmark reform aimed at increasing women’s representation in politics.
Meanwhile, leaders from both the Congress and the BJP criticised Yadav over his remarks.
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed called Yadav a “third-rate MP” and urged her party not to support him. “There are many of us who have worked hard to reach where we are. Pappu Yadav must apologise immediately for these disgraceful and derogatory remarks against women,” she wrote on X.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala alleged that Yadav’s statement reflected his mindset and criticised the Congress for its “anti-women” stance. “People like Priyanka Gandhi, who say ‘Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon (I am a woman and can fight),’ will remain silent on his statement,” he said in a video statement.
Yadav, an Independent MP, is aligned with the Congress in the Lok Sabha.
The veteran Bihar leader’s remarks have once again highlighted the deeply entrenched male-centric nature of Indian politics.
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