Jaipur- Rajasthan, a state rich in culture and heritage, continues to grapple with deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that manifest in everyday language, politics, and social practices. These norms often devalue daughters, reinforce male superiority, and perpetuate discrimination against women and girls. Recent events highlight how such thinking persists even in public forums and rural traditions.

In the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly during the budget debate on February 17, BJP MLA Bahadur Singh Koli from Weir constituency, Bharatpur, sparked widespread outrage with his remarks. Praising the Bhajan Lal Sharma government's budgets, he compared them to "giving birth to a son", calling them youthful, productive, and useful. He stated:

"Our government gave birth to a son in the first budget, gave birth to a son in the second, and gave birth to a son in the third. The one who gives birth to a boy in their youth is always useful."

In contrast, he mocked the previous Congress government's final budget under Ashok Gehlot as equivalent to "giving birth to a girl" (beti paida hui), implying that's why Congress is now in opposition.

This sexist analogy drew immediate condemnation: Opposition Leader Tika Ram Jully called it discriminatory and reflective of a "deeply patriarchal and anti-women attitude" within the BJP. Several social organizations submitted a memorandum to the Speaker demanding action against Koli. Media outlets labeled it a clear example of gender bias, trivializing daughters and reinforcing outdated stereotypes.

The second incident took place at the Nainath Mela (a popular folk fair in Rajasthan), a local poet or folk singer targeted former minister Golma Devi, wife of prominent BJP leader Kirori Lal Meena, by making sarcastic remarks and songs about her childlessness. This public humiliation drew widespread criticism for reinforcing societal stigma against women without children, treating infertility as a personal failing rather than a matter of medical condition.

Golma Devi responded with remarkable grace and forgiveness, stating in a heartfelt message that she accepts divine will, views all of Rajasthan's children as her own, and urged society to end such discriminatory attitudes toward childless women. In a long Facebook post, she wrote: "It is the ultimate truth of our life that God has not given us the good fortune of having children. As it is said in Ramayana - 'Profit and loss, life and death, fame and disrepute are in the hands of destiny. Man has no control over the will of God.' If it was God's will that we be deprived of the joy of having children, we accepted it gladly. We don't feel the slightest sadness about it, because we have considered all the children of Rajasthan as our own. I am deeply grateful to the sons and daughters of Rajasthan for never letting me feel that I am childless. But an irony of our society is that childless women are often looked down upon, insulted, and ridiculed. Recently, at the Nainath fair, a folk singer performed songs mocking my childlessness. In the past, Naresh Meena, whom I affectionately considered like my son, also satirized the same subject. It is true that I have been deprived of the good fortune of having children, but I have no regrets about it. I have considered everyone my family and have dedicated my life to them. Yet, when someone makes such comments, a pang naturally arises in my heart. At that moment, a person curses his fate. And he questions God.

I learned that the incident at the Nainath Fair sparked outrage in society, and that all of you registered your protest. I am grateful for this. I also learned that the artist involved has apologized for his actions. I humbly appeal to all of you to put this matter to rest. I sincerely forgive the singer and artist and request the Panchs and Patels of the society to revoke their social boycott and grant him forgiveness. I also request all my sons and daughters not to escalate this matter further. A person speaks according to their understanding; therefore, let's not escalate it further.

With all of you loving and respecting me, I will never feel any sorrow over my childless life. God may not have blessed me with the biological joy of having children, but my good fortune is far greater than this: thousands of sons and daughters have called me "mother." What greater blessing could a life have than this?" Golma Devi, with a big heart, forgave the poet and appealed to society to change such thinking.

Despite her kind-hearted response, the incident highlighted how even respected women face derogatory treatment in cultural gatherings.