Will build hostels for girls if parents take care of their safety: MP minister

A minister in Madhya Pradesh is the latest to have contracted the foot-in-mouth disease as he has said the safety of girls who stay in hostels is that of parents and not the government.

In remarks that evoked sharp criticism, Tribal and Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah asked parents of girl students to give in writing that they would take care of their security, following which the government would consider building hostels for them.

"Girls might face problems if they stay alone. In view of this, girl students and their parents have to give in writing that they will take care of their security and then only the government would decide to build hostels for them as well," he said.

"The government can give them hostels, but the girls and their parents have to arrange for their own security," the minister said while speaking on the concluding day of the All India Vidyarthi Parishad's state-level programme.

The government will bear hostel expenses, but the protection will be the responsibility of the girls and their parents, he said adding that the girls should return to their hostels by 8 pm.

Shah's remarks came under fire with JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav saying the responsibility for providing security was squarely with the government and it cannot pass the buck.

Madhya Pradesh PCC chief Kantilal Buria lashed out at the minister, saying the state is answerable and cannot shirk its responsibility.

Girls in the state are being assaulted by mafias and goons and it is the government's duty to act against them, he said.

Shah joins a list of ministers in the BJP-ruled state who have been in the thick of controversies in recent months.

Health Minister Anoop Mishra resigned following allegations that some of his close relatives were involved in killing a youth over a land dispute near his home town Gwalior.

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