"Next you will demand condoms?": Bihar IAS officer mocks schoolgirl's question on sanitary pads

Senior IAS officer and Bihar Women and Children Development Corporation MD Harjot Kaur Bamhrah has stoked a controversy by publicly mocking a schoolgirl's demand for sanitary napkins. "Today, the government would provide you with sanitary pads for Rs 20 to Rs 30. Then you ask for jeans, pants and then, beautiful shoes," Bamhrah said in response to a question raised by a girl student at an event for Class 9 and 10 students in Patna.

The student had asked Bamhrah that as the government is providing school dress, scholarship, bicycles and many other facilities to students, can't it provide sanitary pads for Rs 20 to 30 to girls students. In reply to this, irritated Bamhrah mocked the girl, saying that people are clapping over the question but these are endless demands.
She didn't stopped at this.



"Tomorrow, you attain the age of family planning and you would expect the government to provide 'nirodh' (condoms) too. Why would I have a habit of taking everything free from the government? What is the need of it?"

At that, the student said the government comes to them to seek their votes. Bamhrah angrily replied that "this is the height of stupidity. You don't vote and go to Pakistan. You are giving a vote for money and facilities from the government".

That girl student responded that she is an Indian and why would she go to Pakistan?

"The government is providing facilities from the money of taxpayers. If taxpayers are paying taxes to the government, why would they not demand for the services?" she asked.

Another girl student claimed problem in toilets for girls in the school, saying that the boys also enter the girls' toilet and make them uncomfortable.

At this, Bamhrah asked if every student present in the hall has separate toilets for them at home, leaving many in the audience surprised and shocked at the tenor of the senior IAS officer who demeaned the girl students.

Ironically, Bamhrah was speaking at the 'Sashakt Beti, Samriddh Bihar' event, organised by the Corporation and Unicef. The video of the statement has gone viral on the social media with several people now demanding her resignation.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought explanation from the senior IAS officer over her "inappropriate and highly objectionable" remarks.

The NCW said it had observed that such "insensitive attitude" from a person at a responsible position was condemnable and extremely shameful.