West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri’s comments on President Murmu draws criticism
The Hindu
BJP seeks dismissal of Bengal Minister Akhil Giri.
West Bengal Minister of State for Correctional Home Administration, Akhil Giri on Saturday, November 12, 2022, came under severe criticism for making a controversial remark on President Droupadi Murmu.
In a video clip that has gone viral on social media, the Minister and Trinamool Congress MLA from Ramnagar is heard commenting on the looks of the President Droupadi Murmu. The remark was made at a public meeting at Nandigram on Friday evening. “They (BJP) said that 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?” the Minister is heard saying.
On Saturday, Mr. Giri apologised for the remarks. “If someone thinks I have disrespected the President, then it is wrong. I apologise for making such a remark. I have immense respect for the President of our country,” the Minister said. Mr. Giri said that his remarks were in response to what BJP leaders including Suvendu Adhikari were saying while verbally attacking him.
Mr. Giri has made similar remarks against the President in the past. A video of the Trinamool leader making similar comments on the last week of October also surfaced later in the day.
However, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda also demanded that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tender a public apology for Mr. Giri's comments and also clarify that at whose behest he made such "unfortunate" and "indecent" remarks.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said if a Minister who has taken a pledge to preserve the ethos of the Constitution makes such a derogatory remark, then he must be sacked. "Mamata Banerjee should lead by example and expel such a leader from her party (TMC)," Mr. Bhatia said.
The remarks by Mr. Giri have created outrage in the political and social circles. A police complaint was lodged by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters at Nandigram Police station. BJP supporters hit the streets in Kolkata demanding action against the Minister. A protest rally was brought out from State BJP headquarters in Central Avenue. Reacting to the remarks, the State unit of BJP alleged that “Mamata Banerjee and TMC are anti-tribal.