Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Nov 14: The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday condemned the comments of the minister of state for correctional administration Akhil Giri’s on President Droupadi Murmu and tendered her an apology on his and her party’s behalf.
Ms Banerjee said the remarks made by Giri was not in her party’s culture to make personal comments. She said the minster had been cautioned over his comments and her party has also apologised.
Speaking to media persons at the state secretariat, Banerjee said, “We respect the President a lot. She is a very sweet lady, I apologise for the comments,” and added, “Akhil (Giri) has done something wrong; I condemn the comments and I apologise. Beauty is not about how you look, it is about how you are from the inside,” she added.
“Somebody has committed a mistake and we are opposing it, we aren’t supporting it. But every day, the language that is being used to make statements and the lying that is continuing is unacceptable,” Banerjee said.
“Speaking is an art. I sometimes use the word ‘kimbhutkimakar’ (meaning strange in English). That’s a word in the dictionary. I haven’t used any words outside the dictionary. If I ever speak any bad word, I immediately withdraw it and we certainly have that right,” the West Bengal chief added.
Giri drew widespread criticism recently for making controversial remarks against President Murmu’s looks. After a video clip of his comments went viral, Giri apologised for it. In a 17-second video clip, Mr Giri was heard commenting on the “looks of the President.” “They (BJP) said I am not good-looking. We don’t judge anyone by their appearance. We respect the office of the President (of India). But how does our President look?” Mr Giri was heard saying at a rally in a village in Nandigram late on Friday evening.
Calling the comments “irresponsible” and “misogyny”, the party had distanced itself from Mr Giri’s remarks. “We have the utmost respect for Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Our party strongly condemns the unfortunate remarks made by MLA Akhil Giri and clarifies that we do not endorse such statements. In the era of women’s empowerment, such misogyny is unacceptable,” the party tweeted.
The state unit of the BJP, however, seized the opportunity to launch protest demonstrations against the TMC government on the issue. Protests continued to rock different parts of the state for the third consecutive day on Monday.
Burning tyres and raising slogans against Giri, the BJP supporters held a protest rally near Giri’s residence in Kanthi town of Purba Medinipur district on Sunday.
Demonstrations seeking action against the state minister were organised in the districts of Paschim Bardhaman, Malda and Bankura. Protest marches and dharnas were held in several other places, including Kolkata, by the saffron party supporters, who demanded Giri’s removal as a minister and also his arrest for making controversial remarks against the president.
West Bengal BJP MLAs marched to the Raj Bhavan on Monday afternoon in protest against the distasteful comments by Trinamool minister Akhil Giri on the President of India. The BJP MLAs were heard singing songs and were led by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
Speaking to reporters, Suvendu Adhikari said, “Even 72 hours after his comments, the Chief Minister has not recommended his sacking to the Governor, and she has not even asked him to resign. We had emailed the Governor on Saturday. We have come to the Raj Bhavan with a demand. This is not an appeal. There is enough scope in the Constitution for him to advise the Chief Minister to sack the minister, whether he is in Delhi, Imphal, or Chennai. How he does it is his matter.”
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also condemned the comments, and said no one has the right to make such remarks on the President.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had lashed out at Giri and said the insult hurled on the president was “intentional”. He called on the Bengal CM to take cognizance of the matter and act against her minister.
But the Trinamool also pointed out several instances of BJP leaders indulging in personal attacks on TMC leaders, especially Tribal MLA and minister Birbaha Hansda. Hitting out at Suvendu Adhikari, the TMC said, “Belittling women & the ST community comes as second nature to @SuvenduWB. He has used the most unparliamentary language for MLA @Birbaha_Hansda, who is a daughter of the soil, a proud adivasi. Any sermon on respect for women from @BJP4India leaders is a cruel joke.
