Rajasthan Minister Critcises 'Karwa Chauth'. BJP Demands Apology, Asks CM Gehlot To Dismiss Him From Cabinet

Rajasthan minister was speaking at the closing ceremony of 'Digifest', when he made the remark about women looking at the moon through a sieve while, drawing sharp criticism from the BJP.

Rajasthan minister Govind Ram Meghwal

Source : PTI

New Delhi: While speaking at an event on Saturday, Rajasthan minister Govind Ram Meghwal triggered a controversy after he said that it is unfortunate that women have to look at the moon through a sieve and pray for their husband's long life on Karwa Chauth while those in developed countries live in the world of science.

The remark drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which demanded an apology from Meghwal and asked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot - who was present at the venue - to take action against him. 

"Women in China and the US are living in the world of science, but it is unfortunate that even today, women here on Karwa Chauth see through a sieve, talk about the long life of their husband. But a husband never sees a sieve for the long life of his wife," the Minister for Disaster Management and Relief said at the closing ceremony of 'Digifest' in Jaipur, as per a PTI report.

"People are pushing (others) into superstition, they are making others fight in the name of religion and caste," he added.

Slamming the Minister, BJP state spokesperson and MLA Ramlal Sharma said that Meghwal should be aware that astronaut Kalpana Chawla had been to space and many Indian women were serving as pilots.

"He has insulted crores of women of the country. He should apologise and withdraw the statement. The Chief Minister should take action against him," PTI reported Sharma as saying.

Sharma further said that women are known to follow traditions but they know how to strike a balance between professional and personal life. 

Meghawal, while speaking to the media, later said that he was only promoting scientific temper and education.

"I am not against Karwa Chauth. Whoever wants to follow it may do so. I was talking about the importance of scientific temperament," he said in his defence.

(With Aegency Inputs)