New Delhi: Hours after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor stirred a controversy by criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “dislike” towards the Muslim community, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday demanded an apology from the Congress Party for the same.
Speaking to ANI, Rijiju said “Congress should immediately apologise for Shashi Tharoor’s remark. It’s a part of our tradition and is our cultural identity”.
Rijiju also demanded an apology from Tharoor for insulting the people of North-East India.
“I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India’s North East and Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people and Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish and hilarious,” he tweeted.
“Congress Party and Shashi Tharoor Ji please explain what’s the English meaning of outlandish and hilarious headgear? You can’t get away after insulting the Tribal and North East people,” Rijiju said in another tweet.
Echoing similar views, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) national general secretary Ram Madhav asserted that Tharoor should learn to respect all customs.
“Shocking and condemnable he is (Tharoor) making such irresponsible statements on Indian cultures and traditions. He should learn to respect all customs,” he said.
Tharoor, while addressing a seminar in Thiruvananthapuram, claimed that Prime Minister Modi was averse to dawn a Muslim cap or attire.
“The Prime Minister dislikes one particular community and discriminates against them in spite of his party’s slogan Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” the Member of Parliament (MP) from Thiruvananthapuram had said.
However, Tharoor clarified that his comment was an observation and there was no need to get outraged about it. (ANI)