Biharis are not beggars, says Nitish Kumar

PATNA: A Goa minister's remark that there will be more beggars in the coastal state if trains linking it to Patna are introduced triggered an outrage in Bihar with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar demanding an apology.

Denouncing as unwarranted the remarks made by Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik on Tuesday, Kumar said it had hurt the sentiments of the people of Bihar.

"Coming from a person occupying the responsible post of a minister in a state the remark is deplorable and should be condemned by all. The remark should be withdrawn immediately and the minister should tender an unqualified apology to the people of Bihar," Kumar said while denouncing anti-Bihari remarks.

Opposing the proposed introduction of a train from Patna to Panaji, Naik reportedly said it would create a problem as "beggars from Bihar" will start visiting Goa.

"Though the minister's unwarranted remark has not not lowered our respect for the state or its people, it merits to be denounced and an apology from Naik would be in place. Biharis are not not beggars, but have earned respect and status and done our state proud through sheer merit and hard work," Kumar said while reacting to the remarks.

He also demanded that the Congress, the party to which Naik belongs, also clarify the situation.

Naik had made the controversial remarks while participating in the discussion during the ongoing Goa Legislative Assembly session.

The opposition benches had attacked the Home ministry for adopting a lethargic attitude in getting rid of beggars, who, they said are causing nuisance for tourists and locals alike. Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar said the beggar population in the capital city of Panaji was on the rise.

Source : Times Of India