<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/search/maharashtra-articles" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Maharashtra</a> Women and Child Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has proposed the use of the word "Ganga Bhagirathi" to refer to widows in a bid to offer them respect.
A letter written on Wednesday to his department's principal secretary in which Lodha made the proposal has gone viral on social media.
The Congress slammed Lodha and sought his apology, while several social activists said the need of the hour was to undertake measures for equal rights and social safety for women rather than such "superficial and unwarranted decisions".
In the letter, Lodha said <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/search/PM-Modi-articles" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> suggested the concept of referring to persons with disabilities as "divyang", which resulted in such people gaining respect in society.
"The society's outlook towards 'divyang' people has drastically changed,&iquest; the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader noted.
"Prepare a detailed proposal for a discussion on the use of the word 'Ganga Bhagirathi' for widows on similar lines," Lodha said in the letter.
The minister later in a video statement said, "The issue is only under consideration and no action has been taken in this direction. I can assure you that no action will be taken until the proposal is submitted and properly discussed in the department."
Slamming the idea, the Maharashtra Congress said it revealed the BJP's "Manuvadi" thought process and was the party's attempt to demean widows.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/you-do-encounters-in-the-name-of-religion-asaduddin-owaisi-hits-out-at-bjp-23280792" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Also read:&nbsp;'You do encounters in the name of religion': Asaduddin Owaisi hits out at BJP</a>
Condemning the move, state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said Lodha was a "kalank" (blot) on progressive Maharashtra ands must apologise to women.
Londhe also said the state had seen several movements to bring about social reform, including one that began in Herwad gram panchayat two years ago to ban widowhood rituals.
Senior Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan said "ganga bhagirathi" is used in some parts of the state to refer to widows since they cannot be called ''saubhagyawati".&nbsp;
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

The Congress slammed Lodha and sought his apology, while several social activists said the need of the hour was to undertake measures for equal rights and social safety for women rather than such "superficial and unwarranted decisions"

Maha minister proposes use of word 'Ganga Bhagirathi' to refer to widows

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Article / Maha minister proposes use of word 'Ganga Bhagirathi' to refer to widows

Maha minister proposes use of word 'Ganga Bhagirathi' to refer to widows

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast