Wife is no fun after a while, says Sri Prakash Jaiswal

An old wife is no fun, believes Union coal minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal.

Speaking at a ‘kavi sammelan’ in Kanpur on Sunday, Jaiswal said, “As time goes by, an old victory or an old wife is no fun.” Already under fire over coal blocks allocation, the BJP has asked him to resign for the comment.

Women in Kanpur blackened his posters and threw slippers at them. His effigies too were burnt by women’s groups at many places. Terming the remark unfortunate, National Commission for Women chairperson Mamta Sharma has said she will write to the PM and Congress president.

On Tuesday, Jaiswal tried to explain his remark, and said he was quoted out of context. He said he was sorry if it hurt anyone.

He said he was referring to India’s victory over Pakistan in the T20 tournament on Sunday. “As some youngsters were bursting crackers, I said it is great funto celebrate a victory when it’s fresh. In the same way, a person celebrates marriage when it’s fresh; as time passes it’s not as much fun,” he said.

Even his explanation has raised eyebrows. “The explanation is even stupider,” said activist Meenakshi Lekhi. “People celebrate their silver, golden and even platinum wedding anniversaries. What does he mean by saying old marriages can’t be celebrated.”