Rashtrapatni Controversy: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary made a controversial remark on newly elected President Draupadi Murmu by addressing her as “Rashtrapatni”. The BJP slammed the congress leader, demanding an apology from the leader as well as apology from Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi as well.
Union Minister Smriti Irani slammed Chowdhury by saying, “The Congressman knew that this way to address the President of India not only demeans her constitutional post but also the rich tribal legacy she represents.”
Irani targetted Sonia Gandhi in Lok Sabha saying, “Sonia ji sanctioned humiliation of a woman in the highest constitutional post.”
Irani added that ever since Droupadi Murmu was nominated for the President’s post she was targeted “maliciously” by Congress and the attacks do not seem to stop against her even after being elected as the President.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman,who has recently recovered from covid along with other women MPs were seen protesting against such remarks.
National Commission for Women (NCW) sends notice to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to appear before it in person and give a written explanation for his remarks.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly condemned the act and said, ‘we have been seeing Congress’ comments since the day she was nominated for the post. One Congress spokesperson said that “her selection represents the evil philosophy of India”
“When she has assumed office of the President, no further remarks should be made. Adhir Ranjan has hurt the dignity of the President with his remarks. Not only he but the entire Congress party, and its president Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the nation” said Union Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Minister Piyush Goyal said, “Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury delibaretly called President Murmu ‘Rashtrapatni’, called it twice”.
Amit Malviya, National Convenor of BJP’s IT Cell slammed Mr. Chowdhary for hurting the social identities of President Murmu and tweeted, “Sonia Gandhi’s Congress has been insulting President Droupadi Murmu, repeatedly. From the time she was nominated to even after she has been elected, just because she is a woman and importantly a Tribal. The Congress has never treated Dalits, Tribals and women with dignity. Never.”
However, Adhir Chowdhary said that it was a mistake and he did not call Droupadi Murmu ‘rashtrapatni’ deliberately.“There is no question of apologising. I had mistakenly said ‘Rashtrapatni’,” he told reporters. The Congress leader went on to attack the BJP for a “deliberate design trying to make mountain out of a molehill.” Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi commented on the issue that, “He has already apologised”
Mr Chowdhury further added that “I accepted my mistake..for that if I am ready to hang myself. What do they (BJP) say about Sonia Gandhi during polls? About Shashi Tharoor’s wife? About Renuka Chowdhury?”
He further added that he sought time from President, might get her appointment then will speak to her personally.