Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel kicked up a storm on Wednesday when he seemed to endorse the sterilization programme initiated during the Emergency of 1975.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel kicked up a storm on Wednesday when he seemed to endorse the sterilization programme initiated during the Emergency of 1975.
Responding to media queries on population control bills being proposed in Uttar Pradesh and Assam, Baghel said, "This is the same BJP which opposed the sterilization programme. In the 70s, if we had taken forward the sterilization program, then the population would not have grown so much. But at that time, the entire opposition made it a major election issue. That's why that sterilization program was impacted."
"Today, the same BJP governments are bringing a law to control the population. Laws are not going to resolve this issue; public awareness will. Laws should not be made to further political agenda," he added.
The remarks sparked outrage on the micro-blogging site Twitter where social commentators reminded the Chhattisgarh chief minister how forced sterilizations were carried out in the 1970s.
No! Forced sterilisations in insanitary conditions in the 1970’s was just plain wrong. It wasn’t opposed to by just the opposition as you claim. Even people from your own party look on that episode with shame & embarrassment. How can you forget or are you unaware? https://t.co/nsBbF6KjXj
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash)Forced sterilisation drives where young men (disproportionately poor) where picked up by Congress goons from their homes and from the streets randomly is not a policy which INC leaders should be proud of. But considering some still justify the Emergency, I am not surprised. https://t.co/mxfeY3SO9r
— Rishap Vats (@VatsRishap)So the equates incentivizing population control to forced sterilization during the emergency!!
These folks, never disappoint! https://t.co/jnYBVBk39u
The sterilization program from which Congress folks willingly eliminate the operational word 'forced', has had a permanent and searing influence on the way people perceive our public health system.
The lack of trust which ails the system has its roots in that heinous coercion. https://t.co/VIxbSZOWKs
In 70s, it was forced sterilization program! An absolute violation of human rights! https://t.co/R5AARRbh0M
— Sushmita Das (@Sushmita4Rights)