'Beautiful girls prefer jobholders, not farmers': Maharashtra MLA's shocking remarks
What's the story
A video clip of a speech given by an MLA from Maharashtra's Amravati district has gone viral on social media for allegedly demeaning women and farmers.
In the video, Devendra Bhuyar is heard saying that beautiful girls only settle for someone with a job (when choosing her husband).
Bhuyar stated in his speech that salaried boys get smart girls while paan shop owners, grocers, and traders end up with number two or not-so-good-looking girls.
Backlash begins
Bhuyar's comments spark controversy
He added that the remaining "ugly" girls or number three are married off to sons of farmers, who he described as "really unfortunate."
These remarks have ignited a firestorm of controversy.
Shiv Sena (Uttar Bharat Teerth) leader Shushma Andhare has publicly criticized Bhuyar for his comments, describing them as an insult to the sons of the soil.
Political fallout
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader criticizes Bhuyar's remarks
Congress leader and former Maharashtra women and child development minister, Yashomati Thakur, has also slammed Bhuyar, an independent MLA from Warud-Morshi and supporter of deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, for the derogatory remarks.
"Ajit Pawar and those in power should keep their MLAs under control. No one will tolerate such categorization of women. Society will teach you a lesson," said Thakur, who is an MLA from the same district.