District officials incite poor people to 'sell their wives' to build toilets

Aurangabad district judge in Bihar state, India, Kanwal Tanuj is causing a stir because of his statement encouraging poor people to "sell their wives to build toilets".

According to Indian Express, Mr. Kanwal Tanuj, district magistrate of Aurangabad, Bihar state, made the above statement during a meeting with people of Jamhore village to raise awareness of the dangers of defecating outside and encourage them to build toilets to make the "community cleaner and safer".

Aurangabad district judge in Bihar state, India, Kanwal Tanuj is causing a stir because of his statement encouraging poor people to "sell their wives to build toilets".

In a dialogue with the people, Mr. Kanwal Tanuj said that many Indian women are sexually assaulted when they go to the toilet outside, far from their homes. He said that,cost of building toiletonly around 180 USD (about 4 million VND).

Accordingly, Mr. Tanuj emphasized: "Is 180 USD greater than the dignity of any wife? Which man would accept the risk of his wife being raped instead of spending 180 USD? If anyone can accept that, sell his wife. Those who refuse to build toilets should sell or auction their wives."

Mr. Tanuj's statement immediately caused controversy after it spread on the media. Under pressure from public opinion, Mr. Tanuj spoke up to clarify that the media had distorted his statement.

"A man interrupted my speech and said he had no money to build a toilet. I thought he was trying to provoke me. I heard him say that we should save our honour and dignity or keep our money. I told him that if he wanted to keep his money, shoot his honour. I never said that if we don't build a toilet, sell your wife. That's nonsense. No one can say such things," Tanuj said, adding that he also told the villagers that if they could earn money to buy alcohol and cigarettes, they could also earn money to build toilets.

According to Kienthuc.net.vn