Chhattisgarh girls have become ‘tana-tan’, says BJP MP at wrestling meet

A video purportedly showing Chhattisgarh MP Banshilal Mahto making the remarks at Korba on October 2 has created furore on social media; Congress demands action against the BJP leader.

Chhattisgarh BJP leader and MP Banshilal Mahto has landed in controversy after allegedly describing the state’s girls as ‘tana-tan’, a colloquial term that opposition parties said was sexist.

Chhattisgarh BJP leader and MP Banshilal Mahto.

Opposition parties demanded action against Mahto, 77, the Lok Sabha member from Korba, about 215 km northeast of state capital Raipur.

A video purportedly showing him making the remarks at a wrestling competition at Korba on October 2 has surfaced and is being shared widely on social media.

In the video, Mahto is purportedly heard saying, “Majaak mein bhale le liya jataa hai inn baaton ko, lekin Bhaiyalal Rajwade aksar ye baat kahte hain kee Korba ki turi aur Chhattisgarh ki ladiyan tana-tan ho gayi hain (People often take it as a joke, but Bhaiyalal Rajwade [Chhattisgarh sports minister] often says that turis [young girls in Chhattisgarhi dialect] from Korba and Chhattisgarh’s girls have become tana-tan).”

Amid a furore over his remarks, Mahto could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts. Top leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit were also unavailable for comment.

Congress leader TS Singh Deo said on Wednesday Mahto should apologise and legal action should be taken against him. “This is disrespect for women and shows the mentality of the MP,” added Deo, the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

Janata Congress Chhattisgarh vice-president Amit Jogi said he was present at the event where Mahto spoke. “The statement of the senior BJP MP is unfortunate. It reflects the mindset of the BJP,” said Jogi.

“Our women’s wing has launched a campaign against Mahto. He should apologise and his party should publicly chastise him. If not, we will be compelled to lodge an FIR against him and see that he is prosecuted for demeaning women,” he added.