Bihar IAS officer regrets ‘condoms’ remark, says didn’t intend to humiliate anyone

On Tuesday, the senior IAS officer snubbed a girl student when she asked why the government did not provide them sanitary pads. “They (students) will demand jeans, good shoes and finally contraceptives for family planning” was Bamhrah’s response to the girl.

When the girl argued that the government was duty-bound to give them certain facilities as politicians seek votes, the IAS officer quipped: “Mat do tum vote, sarkar tumhari hai. Ban jao Pakistan (do not vote, its your government. Become Pakistan). Do you vote in lieu of money or amenities?”

While expressing her regret, Bamhrah pointed out in the letter:  “The patriarchal society teaches girls to stay dependent on others for their needs. By highlighting the differences in the worlds of men and women, young girls are also taught to feel helpless. Girls are also made to believe that they are unsafe in the outer world. Often girls are influenced to such an extent by this kind of upbringing that they don’t walk on their road to success despite multiple solutions around.”

I express regret if my words hurt any girl’s sentiments. I didn’t intend to humiliate anyone or hurt anyone’s sentiments: IAS officer Harjot Kaur Bhamra on Patna incident where she asked a schoolgirl if “she wants condoms too” when the latter asked for affordable sanitary napkins pic.twitter.com/kNb0Ln2yJc

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2022

Earlier in the day, the Bihar CM said that action will be taken against Bamhrah. “I have immediately called a meeting. We are helping to empower women. I’m monitoring each and everything. Action will be taken,” Kumar said.

“I’ve immediately called a meeting. We’re helping to empower women. I’m monitoring each & everything. Action will be taken,” said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, on IAS Harjot K Bhamra asking a schoolgirl if “she wants condoms too” when a student asked for affordable sanitary napkins. pic.twitter.com/qsZWFY5q7U

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2022

Bamhrah was responding to questions from girl students during a workshop — Sashakt Beti, Samriddh Bihar — organised jointly by the Unicef and state government in Patna on Tuesday. The WDC comes under the Social Welfare Department of the state government and is the nodal agency for implementing welfare schemes for women.

Criticising Bamhrah’s behaviour, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought explanation from the IAS officer over her “inappropriate” remark to the student.

While mentioning that the reply must be submitted within 7 days, the NCW said it had observed that such “insensitive attitude” from a person at a responsible position was condemnable and extremely shameful.