The ruling RJD in Bihar is facing flak over comments made by a top leader, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who said the Women’s Reservation Bill in its current form would benefit only those wearing ‘lipstick’ and sporting a ‘bob cut’ hairstyle. Siddiqui, a close aide of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav, made the comments at a function in Muzaffarpur, organised by the party’s cell for extremely backward classes.

The remarks, caught on a viral video, have triggered outrage, especially from the BJP, which is in opposition in the state and hopes to politically exploit the Women’s Reservation Bill brought by its government at the Centre. Ravi Shankar Prasad, a senior BJP leader, condemned Siddiqui’s remarks as ‘shameful, disgraceful, and shocking’ and alleged that the RJD prioritizes helping Lalu Prasad and his family remain in power, rather than empowering women in Bihar or when it was an alliance partner at the Centre.

JD(U), the RJD’s ally, said that it supports the reservation for OBC and EBC women but does not endorse the comments made about ‘lipstick’ and hairstyle. JD(U) MLC Khalid Anwar emphasized that women should have the freedom to make their own choices in dress, makeup, and hairstyle, and expressed disapproval of any statement going against women’s rights. Siddiqui, a former state minister, defended his remarks, stating that he did not mean to insult women and that he was explaining to a rural audience in a way they could understand.