Appeal.  

We, the Citizens of India, are in deep anguish and constitutional concern regarding the recent sexist and discriminatory remarks made by BJP MLA Shri Bahadur Singh Koli in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.  As reported in the media, during the budget debate, Shri Bahadur Singh Koli compared the BJP government’s budgets to the “birth of a son” and the previous Congress government’s budget to the “birth of a daughter,” further stating that “the one who gives birth to a son in his youth is always useful.” He went on to imply that a “daughter was born but a son was not born,” as a political taunt against the previous government.

A Call to the Citizens of India from ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy)

This petition, started by ANHAD, is not about party politics. It is about constitutional dignity and gender justice.

We call upon the Citizens of India, Women’s organisations, Student Unions, Civil society groups, Constitutional experts, Advocates, Human rights organisations, Social justice movements to stand united against gender discrimination in public life.

If we remain silent today, we normalise the idea that a daughter is “less useful” than a son. That silence would betray the struggles of millions of women who have fought for equality, dignity, and recognition.

India is a constitutional democracy founded on equality—not a society governed by regressive and discriminatory thinking.

Let us reaffirm: Every daughter is equal. Every child is equal. The Constitution is supreme.

We therefore urge all concerned citizens and organisations to sign and support this petition demanding the disqualification of BJP MLA Bahadur Singh Koli for promoting gender discrimination in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

In defence of the Constitution. In defence of equality. In defence of every daughter of India.

(Petition to the Rajasthan Governor)

To,
Shri Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde
Governor of Rajasthan
Raj Bhavan, Jaipur 

Subject:  Petition for Disqualification of BJP MLA Bahadur Singh Koli for Promoting Gender Discrimination in the Rajasthan Assembly.

Your Excellency,

We, the undersigned citizens of India, civil society organisations, women’s rights groups, constitutional scholars, and concerned members of the public, write to you with deep anguish and constitutional concern regarding the recent sexist and discriminatory remarks made by BJP MLA Shri Bahadur Singh Koli in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

As reported in the media, during the budget debate, Shri Bahadur Singh Koli compared the BJP government’s budgets to the “birth of a son” and the previous Congress government’s budget to the “birth of a daughter,” further stating that “the one who gives birth to a son in his youth is always useful.” He went on to imply that a “daughter was born but a son was not born,” as a political taunt against the previous government.

Such remarks are not merely political rhetoric. They are deeply offensive, constitutionally improper, and socially dangerous.

Why This Statement is Unacceptable -

1. Direct Insult to Half of India’s Population: By equating the birth of a daughter with political failure and the birth of a son with usefulness and success, the MLA has demeaned women and girls across the country.
   
   
2. Promotion of Gender Discrimination: India has struggled for decades against female foeticide, gender bias, and discrimination against girl children. Statements from elected representatives that assign greater “value” to male children reinforce patriarchal and regressive thinking.
   
   
3. Violation of Constitutional Morality: The Constitution of India guarantees equality before law (Article 14) and prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex (Article 15). Public representatives are bound not only by law but by constitutional morality. The Rajasthan Assembly is governed by the Constitution of India—not by regressive social codes or discriminatory traditions.
   
   
4. Breach of Legislative Dignity: The Assembly is a forum for serious policy deliberation. Reducing budgetary discussions to sexist analogies undermines the dignity of the House.
   
   
5. Public Justification of Discriminatory Mindset: The MLA defended his statement publicly, indicating no remorse and normalising such thinking in public discourse.
   
   

Constitutional and Ethical Responsibility -

Elected representatives hold constitutional office. They are expected to uphold the spirit of equality, dignity, and justice enshrined in the Constitution. When an MLA openly promotes discriminatory value judgments between sons and daughters, it raises serious concerns about his fitness to hold public office.

Gender discrimination cannot be trivialised as “language” or “local expression.” Words spoken in the Assembly carry institutional authority and social impact.

Our Demands

We respectfully urge Your Excellency to:

• Take cognisance of the statement made by Shri Bahadur Singh Koli and file a suo moto case against him.
• Seek a formal explanation from the concerned MLA.
• Recommend appropriate constitutional and legislative action.
• Initiate proceedings under relevant provisions to consider his disqualification for conduct unbecoming of a legislator and violative of constitutional values.

Your sincerely,

ANHAD
(Act Now for Harmony
and Democracy)