NEW DELHI: Independent MP from Bihar’s Purnia Pappu Yadav’s comment on men’s “predatory” gaze on women, especially in politics, has drawn sharp reactions from the state women’s commission and the BJP. Yadav was speaking on 131st Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, and since then, has been used by the ruling party to accuse the opposition of being “anti-women”. “If the issue of women’s dignity is raised in the Lok Sabha, it is a matter of mockery. In India, women are called goddesses, but they will never be respected here. System and society are responsible for this,” he said.“Who is responsible for domestic violence? Who is looking at women with predatory intent—from America to India? Politicians. Without gaining access to a politician’s bedroom, 90% of women cannot even enter politics. A culture of exploiting women has taken root,” he added.The BJP has sought an apology from Pappu Yadav, calling the statement “shocking”. “Shocker statement! When nation was pushing for Nari Shakti see what Cong supported MP is saying! Controversial statement by MP Pappu Yadav on women surfaces. He said that 90% of women cannot do politics without going into a leader’s room. This is their mindset,” said BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla.Taking note of the comment, Bihar state women’s commotion sought clarification from the leader. “Taking suo motu cognizance of this matter, the Bihar State Women’s Commission seeks an explanation from you as to why you made such an offensive statement. It also asks why a recommendation should not be made to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for the cancellation of your membership,” it said in a statement.“It is stated that in a video circulated on social media, you have made an objectionable statement regarding women working in the political sphere. In the video, you are heard saying that women who enter politics do so by sharing a bed with some politician, which hurts women’s self-respect and social dignity,” the statement said.This comes as PM Narendra Modi criticized the opposition for not supporting the 131st Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to advance reservation for women after delimitation. He called Congress, DMK, TMC and SP of being anti-women.
