Bihar: Aurangabad district magistrate asks men to 'sell their wives' if they can't build toilets

Kanwal Tanuj, district magistrate of Bihar’s Aurangabad, went a step too far while promoting the Centre’s Swachh Bharat mission. Tanuj, while urging locals to ensure there are enough toilets in Jamhore village, said men who cannot afford to build toilets should sell their wives.

'If you can't build toilet for your wife, then sell her': Aurangabad DM sparks controversy

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A report on the news agency ANI said Tanuj was trying to impress upon villagers the importance of sanitation facilities. But while he may have wanted to make a point about the importance of building toilets, his argument took a misogynistic tone as he tried to link the issue with the dignity of women. “Due to lack of toilets, women get raped and harassed. It only costs Rs 12,000 for the construction of a toilet. Is Rs 12,000 more than anyone’s wife’s dignity? Who can let his wife get raped for Rs 12,000?” Tanuj asked. [caption id=“attachment_2582520” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational Image. Reuters[/caption] “If this is your mentality, then go and sell your wife. Those who cannot build toilets should sell or auction their wives,” he added. This statement came as he was responding to queries from the villagers, according to a report on India Today. A villager reportedly said, “Sir, I don’t have the money to build a toilet.” “I will talk to you. If that is the case, then go and sell your wife. If this is the mentality you have, then go and sell your wife. So many people talk about advance payment, they get advance and then spend it on useless things,” India Today reported Tanuj as saying. Tanuj was spreading awareness about the ‘Shauchalay Nirman’ and ‘Ghar Ka Sammaan’ schemes, under which the Bihar government provides an aid of Rs 12,000 to a beneficiary to build toilets at home to end the menace of open defecation.