Smriti Irani demands apology from Congress over ‘Rashtrapatni’ remark

Union Minister Smriti Irani slammed Congress and demanded an apology for maliciously targeting President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday. Union Minister added that the opposition party is “anti-tribal, anti-Dalit and anti-women”.

The Union Minister Irani’s remarks come after Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury referred to President Droupadi Murmu as “Rashtrapatni”.

“The Congressman knew that to address the President of India in this way not only demeans her constitutional post but also the rich tribal legacy that she represents,” Smriti Irani said.

Meanwhile, Smriti Irani said, Congress needs to apologize in Parliament and on the streets of India. While Congress leader Chowdhury said, by mistake, he had used the term “Rashtrapatni” for President Murmu.

Addressing reporters on Thursday Irani said, “Ever since the name of Droupadi Murmu has been announced as the candidate for the presidency of India. She has been targeted maliciously by the Congress party. Congressmen had termed her a puppet candidate, Congressmen have called her a symbol of evil. The attacks do not seem to stop against Droupadi Murmu Ji even after she has now been elected to the highest constitutional office of the country.”

Earlier on Wednesday Congress leader Ajoy Kumar had said that Droupadi Murmu represents a “very evil philosophy of India’

“It’s not about Droupadi Murmu. Yashwant Sinha is also a good candidate and Murmu is also a decent person. But she represents a very evil philosophy of India. We should not make her a symbol of ‘Adivasi’. We have President Ram Nath Kovind (and) Hatharas (the gangrape and murder of a young Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh) happened. Has he said a word? the condition of scheduled castes has become worse,” Kumar said.

The Union Minister lashed out at the opposition party despite being led by a woman leader Sonia Gandhi.

“Under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, Congressmen continue to demean the women in constitutional posts. Congress party for demeaning the first tribal President of our country needs to apologize in Parliament, on the streets of India and the apology is not only due to the President of India but to every citizen of India who is duly represented by Droupadi Murmu Ji in office,” she said.

However, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi said that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury “has already apologized”.