Rashtrapati Bhavan Hits Back at Sonia Gandhi’s ‘Poor Thing’ Remark on President Murmu
The Rashtrapati Bhavan issued a rare rebuttal today in response to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s remarks about President Droupadi Murmu. Gandhi, caught on camera, referred to the President as a “poor thing” after Murmu’s address to Parliament.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, described the remarks as a “full display of arrogance” from the Congress’ leadership.
The Controversial Remarks
Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, was filmed commenting on President Murmu’s speech, saying, “Poor lady, the President was getting very tired by the end. No… she could hardly speak, poor thing.”
The video, capturing her response to reporters after the President’s address, was quickly circulated on social media.
Rahul Gandhi, her son and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was also overheard commenting on the speech, saying, “boring… no comments… repeating the same thing again and again.”
The Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Rebuttal
Following the controversy, the President’s office issued a statement, though it did not directly name any individuals. The statement criticized the comments, highlighting that such remarks “clearly hurt the dignity of the high office” and were “unacceptable.”
It emphasized that the President had not shown any signs of fatigue and had spoken with conviction about marginalized communities, women, and farmers during her address.
The statement further suggested that the leaders making these comments might not be familiar with the nuances of the Indian languages, such as Hindi, which could have led to a misinterpretation. It concluded that these comments were in “poor taste” and entirely avoidable.
BJP’s Strong Response
Prime Minister Modi wasted no time in attacking the Congress at a rally in Delhi, linking the remarks to an attitude of elitism within the Congress. “President Murmu addressed Parliament today.
But a member of the royal family said the language was boring. Urban naxals’ words seem more interesting to them,” Modi said, referring to the Congress leadership’s approach.
BJP National President JP Nadda led the charge against Sonia Gandhi, demanding an unconditional apology.
He condemned the phrase “poor thing,” calling it an elitist and anti-tribal remark that reflected the Congress’ disregard for the President.
Nadda added that the comment showcased the Congress’ feudal mindset and its inability to accept the empowerment of marginalized communities, especially under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
Other BJP Leaders Join the Criticism
Other BJP leaders, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, also condemned Sonia Gandhi’s remarks.
Rijiju called the President, a tribal woman, “not weak” and emphasized her significant contributions to the country. He demanded an apology for the disparaging remarks.
Dharmendra Pradhan added that the insult to the President was unprecedented, while BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar linked the comment to the Congress’s “zamindaari mindset,” accusing them of failing to accept that a woman from an Adivasi background is now the President of India.
Allegations of Feudalism and Elitism
The BJP has frequently accused the Congress of maintaining a feudal mindset. Prime Minister Modi, in the past, pointed out instances where Congress leaders, including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, exhibited elitist behavior.
This latest incident has further fueled the BJP’s claims of the Congress being out of touch with the nation’s modern, diverse reality.
The President’s Address and Key Highlights
President Droupadi Murmu’s speech on the opening day of the Budget Session outlined the government’s achievements and ongoing efforts.
She spoke about the progress made despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts.
President Murmu praised the government’s efforts in the aviation and railway sectors and emphasized the importance of modernizing agriculture to make it self-reliant.
Additionally, she expressed concerns about the rise in digital fraud and cybercrime, which pose new challenges to national security.
A Growing Divide
The clash between the Congress leadership and the ruling BJP highlights the growing political divide in India.
The BJP continues to accuse the Congress of elitism and a feudal mindset, while the Congress argues that the BJP’s approach to governance lacks inclusivity and sensitivity to marginalized communities.
As the Budget Session progresses, tensions between the two parties are expected to intensify, with the focus on the President’s office and its role in the country’s political landscape.
