Binay Bihari

For blaming mobile phones and non-vegetarian food for the rise of sexual attacks on women

Political leaders in India, often
prone to gaffes, have in the
recent past made absurd
remarks about the spate of
sexual molestation and rape
cases in the country. Recently,
yet another inane reason was
floated by Bihar’s Art, Culture
and Youth Affairs minister
Binay Bihari. He stated that
the chief culprits behind
sexual crimes are cellphones
and non-vegetarian food.

According to him, students’
minds are polluted by the
porn and obscene songs they
watch and hear on their
mobile phones. Non-
vegetarian food, he further
claimed, contributes to ‘hot
temper’, and cited sermons
from saints who claim
vegetarian food keeps the
body and mind pure and
healthy.

He claims he will now
seek a ban of cellphones on
school campuses and make
surprise visits to ensure the
ban is enforced. The minister
even offered an analogy to The
Indian Express to add clarity
to his explanation. “[the cell
phone] is like issuing a licence
for a revolver to individuals in
the name of self-defence, but
misused for criminal purposes,”
he said.

Such statements
reflect the inadequacy of
many of our political leaders,
who instead of ensuring
better law and order, waste
precious time pursuing silly
preoccupations.

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