By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: At a time when the nation is immersed in Navratri celebrations, honouring Goddess Durga as the embodiment of female power and dignity, Madhya Pradesh’s Urban Development and Housing Minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, has sparked controversy with remarks deemed insulting to women and demeaning to the sanctity of the brother–sister bond.
During a recent event in Indore, Vijayvargiya commented that women in certain attire resemble “Shurpanakha” rather than appearing goddess-like, further adding that he disliked women wearing “revealing” or western clothes. These comments, opposition leaders argue, are not only misogynistic but also an affront to cultural values.
Addressing a joint press conference, Pradesh Mahila Congress president Vibha Patel and spokesperson Aparajita Pandey accused the minister of tarnishing Navratri’s sacred spirit. “When we worship Goddess Durga as a symbol of strength, BJP leaders like Vijayvargiya publicly insult daughters and sisters. His statement is an attack on the dignity of women and the state’s cultural identity,” they said.
The Mahila Congress highlighted alarming statistics: daily reports of 18–20 rapes in the state, more than 7,200 rape cases in 2024 alone, and over 21,000 women and girls missing between January 2024 and June 2025. They alleged that conviction rates remain dismally low—just 23% for Scheduled Castes and 22% for Scheduled Tribes—while perpetrators often enjoy political protection.
“The BJP government is failing to safeguard women, yet its ministers continue to mock them from public platforms,” Pandey added.
The Mahila Congress has demanded Vijayvargiya’s public apology before Goddess Durga or his immediate dismissal by the Chief Minister. They warned of state-wide agitation “from streets to Assembly” if no action is taken.
“Women’s dignity cannot be compromised,” Patel asserted. “Our struggle will continue until justice and security are ensured for every sister and daughter of Madhya Pradesh.”
