Hooda, Khattar in war of words over Manushi Chhillar
Chandigarh, Nov 24- Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's suggestion that the state government offer Rs 6 crore and a plot to honour state-born Manushi Chhillar for winning the Miss World 2017 title has triggered a war of words between him and incumbent Manohar Lal Khattar.
What has further fuelled the spat was Hooda taking a veiled dig at Khattar's bachelor status.
Hooda, a two-time chief minister, said that the Khattar- led BJP government should honour Chhillar in a befitting way by offering Rs 6 crore, a plot and a job to her, as is given to Olympic Games gold medal winning player, since she had brought laurels to the state and the entire nation with her feat.
Khattar took strong exception to Hooda's suggestion made on Wednesday, saying "what the former chief minister offered is his temperament, as his thinking is confined only to plots and cash. One should think above all this".
Khattar praised Manushi Chhillar for her reply to the last question at the Miss World contest when she was asked, which profession deserves the highest salary and why?
Her reply was "I don't think it is just about cash. But I think it is about love and respect. All mothers sacrifice so much for their kids. Therefore, I think the profession that deserves the highest salary is that of mothers", Khattar said.
When Hooda was asked by reporters to comment on Khattar's remarks, he replied, "What I was talking about was a serious issue. What I said was that Manushi deserves to be honoured at par with Olympic gold medal winning players. She made the entire state and the country proud. But till today Sakshi Malik has not been given a job. Besides, there are a number of other players who should have been given a job, but during last three years they have been running from pillar to post."
"I believe daughters deserve full respect and they should not be insulted by such loose talk. Anyway, I don't think Khattar Sahib is to be blamed for this as only that person can understand the pain who has a daughter of his own," Hooda said taking a veiled dig at 63-year-old Khattar, who is a bachelor.
Hitting back at Hooda today, Khattar said that he considered the entire Haryana as his family.
Khattar said, "This personal comment does not make any difference to me, but it reflects the mindset of Hooda. One should not indulge in such cheap politics and refrain from making personal comments."
"Although I did not raise my own family and have no son or daughter, yet I always remain deeply concerned about the sons and daughters of the state, and consider them as my own family. For me, entire Haryana is my family," Khattar said while interacting with reporters here.
Further attacking Hooda, Khattar said if the former chief minister was so concerned about the daughters, "why he did not take any step during his tenure to curb the social evil of female foeticide which was mainly responsible for the imbalanced sex ratio in the state".
The chief minister said that Manushi Chhillar has brought laurels to the country and the state on her own, and she would be suitably honoured after a round of consultation with her.
"She is coming to Kurukshetra on November 30 and will also participate in a programme to be organised at Bhagat Phool Singh Women University in Khanpur Kalan, district Sonipat, on December 1. The state government plans to utilise her services for a social cause," he added.
In reply to another question concerning the bronze medalist of Rio Olympics 2016, Sakshi Malik, the chief minister said she had expressed her willingness to continue with her present job in the railways.
"If she expresses the desire to do job in Haryana, the state government would provide her a job," he added.
Manushi Chhillar was crowned Miss World 2017 in Sanya, China, on November 18. The 20-year-old medical student from Haryana won the coveted crown at a grand event, bringing to an end the country's dry spell of 17 years at the top pageant contest. PTI
