‘Bihari architects’ remark puts heat on Himachal CM Sukhu, BJP and AAP say don’t pass the buck

Calling Sukhu’s remarks “irresponsible”, senior AAP leader and spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang said, “AAP as a party condemns this statement, which shows the Congress mentality of dividing the country. We are all Indians first. If the structural guidelines are being violated, it’s the failure of the government; how can you blame such a hardworking community,” he asked.

Himachal Rains | CM Sukhu blames rampant construction for disaster

Sukhu, meanwhile, sought to distance himself from the statement. “Mujhe toh pata nahin hai, maine toh aisa kabhi nahin bola (I don’t know about it, I never said this),” he told ANI when asked about the remarks. “Bechare Bihar ke log phase hue the, maine evacuate karwaya… woh hamare bhai hain (People from Bihar were stuck here, I got them evacuated… People from Bihar are our brothers).”

Speaking to The Indian Express on Wednesday, a recording of which is available, the CM had mentioned the term “Bihari architects” not once but twice.

Asked about the devastation in residential areas, the CM had said houses come in the way of rivers, not the other way round.

Saying that many houses that have collapsed don’t pass the structural engineering norms, he said, “Logon ne kya kiya jo Bihari architects aate hain,” before he was cut short by the reporter, who reminded him of the Solan deputy commissioner once introducing ITI training for masons and construction workers. The CM then continued, “Local mistri hain nahin. Woh phata phat structure designing kuch karte nahin hain… lanter pe lanter jaata hai… main yeh Vidhan Sabha session ke time se bol raha hoon. Main toh unhe Bihari architect bolta hoon. Fatafat aate hain, hum sochte hain lanter pad gaya toh ghar ban gaya (There are no local masons. They come here in a jiffy and pay no heed to structural designing, build lanter after lanter. I have been raising this point since the assembly session. I call them Bihari architects. We think a lanter being put means a home has been built).”

A day later, the CM sought to clarify that the damage caused to buildings was the “fault of our structural engineering”.

The hill state has suffered unprecedented devastation during the monsoon, with a loss of 300 lives and damage to property worth Rs 10,000 crore since July.