“Till then, please sit down”: Chaturvedi’s Sass shuts down singer Millben amidst Nitish Kumar’s controversy

On Thursday, Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, made disparaging statements about Mary Millben, an African-American singer who had criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his divisive remarks about population control in the state. She asked Millben to “give up her US citizenship and move to India.”

Mary Millben, taking aim at Nitish Kumar for his Tuesday remarks in the state house, has urged a “courageous” woman to “step up” and announce her bid to become the chief minister of Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also commended by Millben for his support of women, calling him the greatest leader for India and the advancement of its people.

On social media X, Chaturvedi responded to Millben’s statement by saying, “Mary Millben has an opinion on Manipur.” Regarding Bihar CM, Mary Millben has an opinion. Mary Millben believes she knows who should be elected in 2024. For Mary Millben to really experience the wonder of Modi ji Sarkar, she should renounce her US citizenship, relocate to India, and apply for Indian citizenship. Please take a seat, Madam, till then.”

In order to oppose the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the opposition created the INDIA bloc, which includes Chaturvedi’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nitish Kumar’s JDU.

Millben, who has previously openly backed Modi, also urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to “empower a woman to lead in Bihar” in a video message shared on social networking platform X.

“Today, India faces a defining moment,” stated Millben, urging Nitish Kumar to quit. Exactly in Bihar. where there is a challenge to the value of women. And I think there’s just one way to overcome this obstacle. In light of the remarks made by Chief Minister #NitishKumar Ji, I think it is time for a strong woman to come forward and announce her bid to become the next Chief Minister of Bihar. “If I were an Indian citizen, I would relocate to Bihar and seek the position of Chief Minister.”

According to the holy texts, Queen Esther’s cousin Mordecai warned her to openly approach her husband the King in order to aid in the rescue of her people, the Jews. Mordecai was the one who pushed Esther to consider her role as queen, as well as her position and period within the kingdom, as pivotal points in the history of her people—the Jews. “Who knows but that you, Esther, have come to the kingdom, made Queen, for such a time as this?” Mordecai asked Esther. I think it’s time for Nitish Kumar to step down and for Bihar to have its Esther,” Millben continued.

“For a moment like this, you, the people of Bihar, India, have the ability to vote in a woman and to vote in change. The African-American vocalist advised, “Namaste.”

In India, Millben became well-known during Modi’s official visit to the US. She made news when she sang “Jana Gana Mana,” the national hymn of India, and touched the prime minister’s feet.

Nitish Kumar apology

In the state house on Tuesday, Nitish Kumar incited a furious debate by highlighting the need for women to have an education in order to manage the population and providing a detailed account of how an educated woman might constrain her husband during sex.

Women’s organisations and the opposition criticised his comments. In response to criticism of his statements, Kumar issued an apology and withdrew his statement on Wednesday.

PM Modi attacked Bihar CM

But Modi took a sharp jab at Kumar, saying there was “no shame” in the crude remarks made in the state assembly. While speaking at a Madhya Pradesh election rally, Modi mentioned the Bihar chief minister but did not mention him by name.

NCW chief Rekha Sharma vs Priyanka Chaturvedi

Earlier, in a strongly worded statement on X, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma—who had earlier written to the Assembly Speaker demanding “strong action against the chief minister”—urged opposition leaders like Congresswoman Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to denounce Nitish Kumar, a crucial figure in the INDIA coalition.

Retaliating against Sharma, Chaturvedi declared that she was “biassed and politically motivated”.