With controversy escalating over a photo caption in Haryana Government’s magazine describing ghoonghat (veil) as the “identity of the State”, the State Government on Wednesday defended it while the opposition continued its tirade against the BJP over the issue.
Senior Cabinet Ministers Anil Vij and Ram Bilas Sharma on Wednesday dismissed the opposition charge that the photo caption reflected the “regressive” mindset of the BJP dispensation.
The recent issue of Krishi Samvad, a supplement of the monthly Haryana Samvad magazine, published by the State Government, carried a photograph of a woman whose face is covered in a veil. In the picture, the woman is seen carrying cattle feed on her head and the caption reads: “Ghoonghat ki aan-baan, mahra Haryana ki pechchan” (pride of the veil is the identity of my Haryana).
The front cover of the magazine carries the photo of Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar.
When asked about the controversial photo caption, the Chief Minister said he was not aware of it and could not comment. He, however, added that whether be it men or women, they had full freedom in choosing where they go, how they dress or what they eat.
His Cabinet Ministers while talking to the mediapersons on the sidelines of an event here said the BJP Government had taken a number of steps for women empowerment and the opposition is levelling baseless allegations.
Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma also backed the ghoonghat (veil) custom saying that ghoonghat was our custom and they were proud of it.
He also said the Government was not forcing anyone to hide behind a veil.
On the other hand, Health and Sports Minister Anil Vij said the picture should not be misinterpreted. The picture, did not promote the ghoonghat custom, he added.
“We are not forcing anyone to wear ghoonghat. It is not like burqa and only those women who want to put on a veil, it is their wish,” Vij said.
BJP woman MlA from Kalka, latika Sharma also defended the State Government saying that the picture did not send out any wrong message. The State Government had done a lot of work for women empowerment including launching ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme, she added.
Reacting sharply to the photo caption, the Congress has lashed out at the BJP Government saying that it reflected the regressive attitude of the ruling BJP.
Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that this shows the regressive mindset of the BJP government. Women from Haryana are ahead in every field. Just three days back, a young woman from the state was crowned Miss India, he added.
Recently, Manushi Chhillar from Haryana was crowned Femina Miss India 2017.
The two-time former Chief Minister said, “In south India, there was no purdah system. But here, BJP Government wants to move back in time rather than thinking ahead and taking the State forward.”
Congress national spokesperson and Haryana MlA, Randeep Surjewala alleged that a “regressive mindset, parochial thought process and objectification of women has become symbolic of the thought process of the BJP and is reflected in the pages of the magazine.”
Wake up from your slumber and stop this Beti Chupao (hide daughters) campaign instead of Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign,” he said.
He added that the BJP Government has failed to realise that Haryana girls and women have excelled in fields such as space science, sports and the armed forces, to name just a few.
Meanwhile, famous wrestler sisters Geeta and Babita Phogat also criticised it.
“I think it will not be right to say that Haryana’s identity is related to its women keeping themselves in veil. I think Haryana is also famous because its women have made their mark in every field.” Said Geeta Phogat
Babita Phogat mentioned Aamir Khan starrer blockbuster Dangal, based on the life of her father Mahavir Phogat, who defied the pressure of the society and made his daughters wrestlers.