Pappu Yadav, an independent Member of Parliament from Purnea, recently made a series of provocative comments regarding women and politicians, which led to backlash and formal action from the Bihar State Commission for Women. During a public address, he questioned the motives of his critics, asking, “Who are these people who have served me a notice? Who are they with? People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

In defending his statements, Yadav reiterated his views regarding the behaviour of politicians, alleging that “70-80% of the politicians watch porn” and inviting scrutiny of his own device in the process. He asserted, “If there is porn on my phone, check me too,” implying a need for self-reflection within the political class.

Allegations of Exploitation in Politics

Yadav made sweeping allegations about the exploitation of women in political circles, claiming that male politicians prevent women from entering politics without subjecting them to exploitation. He stated, “I had said that male politicians do not let women enter politics without exploiting them. Is that incorrect?” He emphasised his role as an advocate for women’s rights, asserting that his concerns were grounded in his commitment to addressing exploitation.

In his remarks, he also claimed that “the whole of India is tainted” by allegations of sexual exploitation against male politicians. The assertions have sparked further controversy, with Yadav questioning why he faced backlash for discussing issues related to male politicians and their exploitation of women in political settings. He linked this discussion to the broader political discourse surrounding women’s representation and the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Previously, Yadav had alleged that “90% of women cannot do politics without entering the room of politicians,” further exacerbating the situation. His comments prompted the Bihar State Commission for Women to take suo motu cognisance and prompt further proceedings to address his controversial statements.

Commission’s Response to Yadav’s Remarks

The Bihar State Commission for Women reacted promptly to Yadav’s statements by initiating a formal response process. In a stern notice, the Commission described Yadav’s remarks as “disgusting” and an affront to the dignity and self-respect of women. It has demanded a response from him within three days regarding the reasons behind his comments and why his membership in the Lok Sabha should not be revoked.

The official notice condemned Yadav’s assertions that women advance in politics merely through connections with male figures, categorising such views as derogatory and baseless. The Commission stated, “This statement hurts the self-respect and social prestige of women,” emphasising the harmful implications of his generalisations.

The Commission’s actions were prompted by a video circulating on social media in which Yadav made the controversial statements, reflecting a broader societal issue regarding women’s representation in politics. The notice warned Yadav that his conduct may warrant recommendations to the Lok Sabha Speaker for cancelling his membership.

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