TMC’s Akhil Giri’s misogynist comment on President Murmu kicks up a storm

On Thursday (November 10), Trinamool Congress chief Akhil Giri courted controversy after taking potshots on the facial look of President Draupadi Murmu.

The TMC Minister for Correctional Administration made the misogynist remarks throughout a public tackle in Nandigram city in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal.

In a video that went viral on social media, he was heard as saying, “He (Suvendu Adhikari) claimed that I don’t look good. How beautiful is Suvendu? We don’t judge people by their appearance. We respect the office of the President (Draupadi Murmu). But have you looked at her face?”

#WATCH | “We don’t judge anyone by their appearance, we respect the office of the President (of India). But how does our President look?,” says West Bengal Minister and TMC chief Akhil Giri in Nandigram (11.11.2022) pic.twitter.com/UcGKbGqc7p

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

President Murmu hails from a Scheduled Tribe (ST) neighborhood from Odisha. Born in a household of Santhal tribes in northern Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, in a nondescript village, she is India’s first President from the tribal neighborhood.

Comments by Akhil Giri draw ire

His remarks drew the wrath of Opposition leaders, together with the BJP (Nandigram) MLA Suvendu Adhikari. “MLAs have sought an urgent appointment to meet Governor La. Ganesan regarding the sacking of Minister Akhil Giri,” Adhikari tweeted.

The BJP chief additionally shared a replica of his letter, dated November 12, and emphasised that the TMC legislator had misplaced the ethical authority to proceed occupying the submit of a Minister.

As Hon’ble Governor Shri La. Ganesan Ji is at present out of State, @BJP4Bengal MLAs have sought an pressing appointment to satisfy him relating to the sacking of Minister Akhil Giri. He has misplaced Moral Authority to proceed as Minster after his derogatory comment on the Hon’ble President. pic.twitter.com/pVQWMWmg2n

— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) November 12, 2022

While chatting with the media, BJP Minister Dharmendra Pradhan mentioned, “The more you condemn it, the less it is. If Mamata Banerjee has little morality left or little faith in democracy, then she should immediately sack him & apologize to the nation.”

Odisha | The extra you condemn it, the much less it’s. If Mamata Banerjee has little morality left or little religion in democracy, then she ought to instantly sack him & apologize to the nation: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on WB minister Akhil Giri’s touch upon President Murmu pic.twitter.com/9idIPt0fTH

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra additionally questioned the “unacceptable” remarks of TMC Minister Akhil Giri towards President Draupadi Murmu. “People are protesting against this in Odisha and are demanding the resignation of the TMC minister for his comment on the President,” he knowledgeable.

Nayagarh, Odisha | The form of language utilized by TMC minister Akhil Giri for President Droupadi Murmu is unacceptable. People are protesting towards this in Odisha and are demanding the resignation of the TMC minister for his touch upon the President: Sambit Patra, BJP pic.twitter.com/l8yhwVcJe8

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

Even Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief didn’t maintain again and condemned the feedback of Giri. “Hon’ble President is the shining example of our Nation’s rich culture, tradition & values. Mr.Akhil Giri should unconditionally apologise & be sacked,” he tweeted.

Shame!
I strongly condemn such derogatory feedback on The First Citizen of our Country, Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji.
Hon’ble President is the shining instance of our Nation’s wealthy tradition, custom & values.
Mr.Akhil Giri ought to unconditionally apologise & be sacked.

— Anubhav Mohanty (@AnubhavMohanty_) November 12, 2022
Akhil Giri defends his remarks beneath the garb of an apology

After coming beneath the road of fireplace, the TMC legislator tried to rationalise his remarks within the identify of an apology. “I respect President. I mentioned the post&made a comparison to respond to Suvendu Adhikari, I didn’t take any name,” Giri mentioned.

“He had said Akhil Giri looks bad in his appearance. I’m a min,took oath to office. If something is said against me, it’s an insult to Constitution. I said ‘President’, I didn’t take anyone’s name,” he continued.

I mentioned ‘President’, I didn’t take anybody’s identify. If the President of India feels insulted, I’m sorry and remorse what I mentioned: West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri pic.twitter.com/drcLUKtsPK

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

“I said ‘President’, I didn’t take anyone’s name,” Akhil Giri mentioned.

Trinamool Congress goes in a damage-control mode

Following outrage by netizens and from political quarters, the Trinamool Congress was pressured to challenge a clarification and ‘condemn’ the remarks of its get together chief.

In a tweet, it mentioned, “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.”

We have the utmost respect for Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

Our get together strongly condemns the unlucky remarks made by MLA Akhil Giri and clarifies that we don’t endorse such statements.

In the period of ladies’s empowerment, such misogyny is unacceptable.

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) November 12, 2022

“In the era of women’s empowerment, such misogyny is unacceptable,” the tweet additional added. The archived model of the tweet might be accessed right here. Despite mouthing platitudes, the Trinamool Congress did not take any motion towards Akhil Giri.