'President wasn't tired': Rashtrapati Bhavan slams Sonia's 'poor thing' remark
What's the story
The Rashtrapati Bhavan has slammed Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for her "poor thing" remark on President Droupadi Murmu. In a statement, the President's House said such remarks "clearly hurt the dignity of the high office, and therefore are unacceptable." The row started after Gandhi responded to Murmu's joint address to Parliament, saying, "The President was getting very tired by the end... She could hardly speak, poor thing."
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Press Release by President's Secretariat
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Rashtrapati Bhavan refuted Congress leaders' claims that the President was tired during her address, stating she was energetic while speaking for marginalized groups. The remarks were termed unfortunate.
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Official response
Rashtrapati Bhavan refutes claims of President's fatigue
The Rashtrapati Bhavan denied Gandhi's claim that Murmu was tired during her address. The statement clarified, "The President was not tired at any point." It added that Murmu believes "speaking up for the marginalized communities, for women and farmers...can never be tiring." The President's House also hinted at a possible misinterpretation due to unfamiliarity with Indian languages like Hindi. "In any case, such comments are in poor taste, unfortunate and entirely avoidable," the statement read.
Modi
An insult to tribal president: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reacted to the remarks, calling them an 'insult' to a president who comes from a tribal community. "Look at shahi parivaar's (royal family's) arrogance. It insulted President Droupadi Murmu, who comes from a tribal background. A member of the shahi family termed the President's speech boring and said she is a poor thing. This is an insult to all tribals," he said without naming Gandhi at a rally.
Political backlash
BJP leaders condemn Gandhi's remarks, demand apology
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have also slammed Gandhi's remarks. BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda demanded an apology from the Congress Party, calling the comments elitist and anti-tribal, while Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called Gandhi's comment an unprecedented insult. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called Murmu's address comprehensive and aspirational, while BJP MP Sambit Patra said Murmu can never be a "poor thing."