‘Rashtrapatni’ remark of Congress MP stirs political row, BJP demands apology to the nation

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s remark on newly elected first tribal President Droupadi Murmu triggered a political uproar leading to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha. Yesterday, during the protest when Congress leaders were trying to march towards Rashtrapati Bhawan and the police stopped them, Chowdhury uttered the word ‘Rashtrapatni’ and which was heard by the reporters present there.

Chowdhury told reporters outside Parliament, “I inadvertently used the word “Rashtrapatni” just once and it was a slip of tongue. I never meant any disrespect to the President. After I realized I uttered the wrong word. I even looked for media persons to request them to not focus on it. However, I couldn’t find them,

He added, “I have sought time from the President and will apologize to her, but not to these ‘Pakhandis’,” the Congress leader said, referring the BJP MPs.

Chowdhury said BJP leaders are making a mountain out of a molehill. The BJP createdruckus in both Houses of Parliament demanding an unconditional apology from the Congress MP.

A face-off between BJP MP Smriti Irani and Congress president Sonia Gandhi added fuel to the fire when Irani asked Gandhi to apologize to the nation.

Speaking to the press, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Sonia Gandhi sought to know from BJP MP Rama Devi why she was dragged into Adhir Ranjan remark saying that he had already apologized.  Smriti Irani stepped into the conversation asking her to apologize to the nation for insulting the President but Gandhi ignored her. But when Irani insisted Sonia cultly replied, “Don’t talk to Me.”

Sitharaman added, “It was a deliberate sexist insult. Sonia Gandhi should apologize to the President of India and the country.”

Meanwhile, taking cognizance of the remark against the President, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has sent a notice to Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to appear before it in person and to tender a written explanation for his remarks. The hearing is scheduled for August 3rd, at 11:30 AM. NCW has also written to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi to intervene in the matter and to take appropriate action against Chowdhury for his derogatory remark, agencies reported. – INDIA NEWS STREAM