PM Modi slams Nitish Kumar apologises for his controversial remark on population control

PM Modi at a rally in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh referred to "a prominent leader of INDI alliance (the 28-member INDIA opposition bloc)" who had used "indecent language (shamelessly) in the Assembly ''.

"... prominent leader of INDI alliance used indecent language in the Assembly shamelessly. Not a single INDI alliance leader is speaking (against) it. How low will they stoop... and bring shame to the country."

"Those who watch TV will have seen yesterday... this ghamandiya (arrogant) alliance... this big leader of the INDI alliance used shameful language in the Assembly, where there were mothers and sisters, without any shame. Can such people work for you? Should you respect them?" the PM asked.

Hours later RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari hit back, wanting to know if the PM apologised for calling veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi a "Jersey cow". "Did the Prime Minister (ever) apologise for abusive language used against Sonia (Gandhi) ji and Shashi Tharoor's friend?" Tiwari asked.

Tiwari stressed Nitish Kumar had apologised "inside and outside" for his remark, which he acknowledged was wrong. "As soon as he (Nitish Kumar) realised he apologised."

"(But) the PM is criticising Nitish Kumar... what is the respect of women in (his) eyes? Are they forgetting they called Indira Gandhi's daughter-in-law, and Rajiv Gandhi's widow, a Jersey cow?"

"Nitish Kumar's words, for which he has apologised, seem to the Prime Minister to be an insult... but did he not find it insulting to (insult) Tharoor's friend. Everyone remembers he said "Rs 50 crore 'girlfriend'".

Earlier in the day, Nitish Kumar apologised after his remark on population control triggered a massive row and widespread condemnation.

Speaking to the media, Nitish said, "I apologise if my words have hurt anyone. If my remark has triggered condemnation, I apologise and take back my words."

Nitish on Tuesday vividly described how a woman, if educated, can restrain her husband during sexual intercourse.

The Chief Minister said this stressing on the importance of education among women.

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed Nitish for his remark which it called "misogynistic, vulgar and patriarchal".