#AkhilGiri's derogatory comments on #PresidentOfIndia create political ruckus across country
14 Nov 2022 11:47:39
New Delhi, Nov 14: TMC's Akhil Giri recently passed objectionable and personal remarks regarding President Droupadi Murmu. Giri's statements rose a toll not only on himself but also on the West Bengal ruling party, Trinamool Congress. Leaders and authorities from around the country have reacted aggressively against Giri's remarks. Trinamool leader Akhil Giri, during a meeting in Nandigram, has collectively commented on the President of India Droupadi Murmu for her looks and her caste.
On the provocative act of TMC's Akhil Giri, BJP on Saturday (Nov 12) wrote to the National Commission for Women (NCW), and requested for immediate arrest of West Bengal Minister and TMC leader Akhil Giri and take appropriate action against him and "try to dismiss him from the MLA post also" over his objectionable remark on the President of India Droupadi Murmu. West Bengal BJP MP Saumitra Khan wrote to the NCW that "Giri's statement was a very despicable act, and it cannot be forgiven under any circumstances, nor can it be left at any point.
"She (Droupadi Murmu) is respected excellency for 140 crores of Indian people. This is an insult to our Democratic System, this is an insult to our Fare Constitutional Structure and This is an insult to all 140 crores of Indian Citizens," the letter read. "This issue is not only related to women's respect; it also reflects their thinking. And this type of thinking cannot be left in society because it is harmful to society as well as the country. I request the commission to immediately arrest Akhil Giri for this heinous act and take appropriate action against him," the letter added.
At the same time, the All India Trinamool Congress on Saturday (Nov 12) distanced itself from its minister Akhil Giri for his remarks against the President of India Droupadi Murmu. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev also slammed Akhil Giri for his remark and said that such comments do not reflect the inclusive politics of the AITC. "It is extremely unfortunate when such irresponsible remarks are made about the highest constitutional post. Such comments about looks etc. are in such bad taste & definitely do not reflect the inclusive politics of @AITCofficial. We believe in mutual respect for all," Dev said in a tweet. However, considering the severity of the issue, a statement of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee denouncing Giri's words, which is rightfully expected, is still missing.
A day after facing strong criticism from the opposition as well as from his own party, West Bengal Minister and TMC leader Akhil Giri on Saturday (Nov 12) apologized for his statement against the President of India Droupadi Murmu. In his apology, Giri said that he was sorry and regretful about what he said, and still respects the Constitution and the post of the President of India. "I said, President. Didn't take anyone's name. If the President of India feels insulted about it, then I am sorry and regret what I said," the TMC leader said in a statement. A few hours after Giri apologized for making objectionable remarks against President Droupadi Murmu, TMC MP Santanu Sen said that the party disowns his comment and there is no question of supporting such a comment. At the same time, TMC leaders also accused BJP of playing dirty politics to gain power in West Bengal.
President Droupadi Murmu is the second woman and first tribal President of the country. Regarding the issue, Union Tribal Affair Minister came down heavily on the TMC govt in West Bengal and demanded an apology from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the derogatory remarks uttered by TMC leader Akhil Giri against President Droupadi Murmu. The minister also asked the TMC chief to sack the Minister for hurting the sentiments of tribals. "West Bengal CM is a lady and a minister from her cabinet has made such a disrespectful comment on our tribal President. The minister's remarks are strongly condemnable," said Munda. "This clearly reflects how the West Bengal government has hurt the sentiments of 10.30 crore people of tribal community and also exploited and insulted the democratic tradition and values of the citizens of the country," he added.
Munda said that the presidential post is beyond politics and the person holding the Constitutional post represents the entire nation. "The TMC leader's statement against the President of India is not only unfortunate but will also affect our international identity. It clearly reflects that the West Bengal government will continue to harass Adivasi communities," he alleged. "They (TMC) cannot digest the fact that a tribal woman is now the President of India. BJP strongly condemns this, and will raise this issue with the citizens of the country to make sure that he (TMC leader Akhil Giri) gets sacked," he said.
BJP leader and Union Petroleum Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, who hails from the state of Odisha, just like President Murmu, also lashed out at Trinamool Congress leader Akhil Giri over his derogatory remarks. Flaying the Trinamool leader for his remark on Saturday, the union minister accused Giri of having a feudal mindset. "He insulted the first citizen of country with a feudal mindset. In democracy, such intolerance against a particular gender and colour is condemnable," Pradhan said. "A few days ago, Adhir Chowdhury also did the same. I hope Mamata Banerjee, being a representative of women, takes action," Pradhan further added.
Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani too has questioned when Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee will remove Giri from her party. "The Chief Minister of West Bengal is not speaking anything about the TMC minister Akhil Giri's remarks against President Murmu. We do not want to listen to that Minister, we want to know when will Mamata ji remove Akhil Giri from the party," said Irani.
While Akhil Giri's derogatory statements about the President of India started a series of political vendetta over the issue, TMC supremo Mamta Banerjee is yet to make any comments on the issue.
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