‘Want Condoms?’ Bihar IAS officer confronts schoolgirl over sanitary pads

• Image Credit: Internet

• Sep 29, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

”Will the government provide you with condoms (Nirodh) for family planning? Why would I have a tendency to take what the government offers me for free? What purpose does it serve?"

Digital Desk: At an event for Class 9 and 10 students here on
Wednesday, senior IAS officer and MD of the Bihar Women and Children
Development Corporation Harjot Kaur Bamhrah sparked controversy, with her
caustic reactions to questions from female students.

At the
"Sashakt Beti, Samriddh Bihar" event, which was organized by the
Corporation and UNICEF, a video featuring student questions and the officer's
testy and annoyed responses went viral on social media.

In
response to a student's remark that the government already provides school
uniforms, scholarships, bicycles, and many other facilities to kids, Bamhrah
reacted angrily, adding that while people were applauding the question, there
were endless requests being made of the government.

"You
may now purchase sanitary pads from the government for between Rs 20 and Rs 30.
You then demand jeans, slacks, and stunning shoes "She spoke, but she
didn't end there.”Will the government provide you with condoms (Nirodh) for
family planning? Why would I have a tendency to take what the government offers
me for free? What purpose does it serve?"

The
student responded by saying that the government approaches them to solicit
their votes. Bamhrah retorted fiercely, "The height of idiocy is this.
Vote but don't visit Pakistan. You are casting a ballot to use government resources
like money and facilities".

The
student's girl response was that since she is Indian, she shouldn't have gone
to Pakistan. "With taxpayer money, the government is financing the
provision of facilities. Why wouldn't taxpayers seek the services if they are
paying taxes to the government?, she asked.

Another
female student complained about issues with the girls' restrooms at her school,
claiming that the boys would enter the women's restroom and cause the girls to
feel uncomfortable.

Many in
the audience were bewildered at the tone of the senior IAS officer who demeaned
the female students when Bamhrah inquired if every kid in the room had separate
restrooms at home.