Days after actor-turned-politician Hema Malini’s controversial statement that widows from West Bengal should not crowd Vrindavan, 50 of them from the holy city in Uttar Pradesh arrived here on Friday to participate in the Durga Puja festival.
They met Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, and while discussing their problems, touched upon Ms. Malini’s comment.
“We told the Governor of the problems we had to face earlier, and that our living conditions have improved over the past few years, thanks to the intervention of various voluntary organisations. We also invited the Governor to Vrindavan,” Manu Ghosh, who is in her nineties, told The Hindu .
The Governor, who presented them mementos, said God had been unkind to these women, who, after being rejected by their families, had to live far from their homes.
The widows, along with the representatives of Sulabh International, will meet West Bengal Minister for Women and Child Development Sashi Panja.
Disapproving of the remarks made by the BJP’s Mathura MP, Dr. Panja told The Hindu that the widows went to Vrindavan compelled by deep-rooted religions beliefs. “Old people being abandoned by their children is a problem all over the country. The situation in West Bengal is not an isolated case as there are many widows residing in Vrindavan who hail from other States as well,” Ms. Panja said.
Ms. Malini’s comments caused considerable distress among the old women. “We have been residing there for decades. Where can we go now? Will everything in Mathura take place by her orders?” Ms. Ghosh said.
A press statement issued by Sulabh International said: “Despite the controversy kicked up by the ‘outsider’ remark by actor-turned-politician Hema Malini, the widows were all full of mirth and joy as the visit to Kolkata… virtually lit up their lives.”
