Promoting Swachh Bharat, a Bihar DM asks a man to “sell” his wife

The district magistrate of Aurangabad in Bihar stirred up controversy after he asked a local resident to “sell” off his wife if he couldn’t afford to build a toilet.

In an apparent bid to promote Centre’s flagship scheme of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, DM Kanwal Tanuj said on Saturday, "Due to lack of toilets, women get raped and harassed. It only costs ₹12,000 for the construction of the toilet. Is 12,000 more than anyone's wife's dignity? Who can let her wife get raped in return of ₹12000?"

After being interrupted by a villager who quipped that he didn’t have enough money to build a toilet, Tanuj got miffed and remarked, "If this is your mentality then go and sell your wife. Those who cannot build toilet should sell or auction his wife.”

The remarks, first reported by news agency ANI, were made during a cleanliness drive in Jamhore village of the district.

According to reports, Tanuj made the inappropriate remarks after getting miffed at an audience member who reportedly said that he didn’t have enough money to build a toilet.

Tanuj’s comments have elicited a strong reaction from Samajwadi Party, which demanded “strong action” against the government official.

"He is an IAS officer and they are trained to have control on their language. Their salary comes out of the tax paid by people. His remark is against his conduct rules. Action should be taken against him. I would want to urge the government and the Chief Minister (Nitish Kumar), to take strict action against him," SP leader Juhi Singh was quoted as telling ANI on Monday.