Maharashtra ‘Ladki Bahin’ Yojana: Women Featured On Hoarding Claim BJP MLA Used Photos Without Consent, File Complaint

BJP MLA Siddharth Shirole, who put up the hoarding for the 'Ladki Bahin' yojana, issued an unconditional apology to the women.

Ladki Bahin Yojana: Two women from a family in Pune district of Maharashtra, who were featured on state-erected hoardings advertising the Maharashtra government’s `Ladki Bahin’ scheme, have filed police complaint against a local BJP MLA, claiming that their pictures were used on the billboard without seeking their consent.

The women, who reportedly belong to a low-income household said the unconsented use of their photos led to a dispute in their family, and the husband of one of the women threatened to divorce after he saw his wife’s picture on the hoarding.

One of the women said the use of their photos without their knowledge led to a dispute within the family.”People are asking if we took any money in return. My husband threatened to divorce me,” she said.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Siddharth Shirole, who put up the hoarding for the ‘Ladki Bahin’ yojana, issued an unconditional apology to the women.

Shirole, who represents the Shivajinagar Assembly constituency, claimed the hoarding was designed by an outside agency and sought an apology  in case the women were offended.

Talking to reporters, the BJP MLA said the advertisement was designed by an agency which obtained the photos from an online image depository by paying fees. “But if these two women feel their sentiments were hurt, I apologise to them,” he said.

The ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme’ was launched by the Eknath Shinde-led NDA government last month, ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra. Under the scheme, eligible women will receive an amount of Rs 1,500 per month.

(With PTI inputs)