New Delhi
Congress leader Udit Raj on Monday not only refused to apologise for his “sycophancy” remarks on President Droupadi Murmu but also justified it even as he questioned the National Commission for Women’s (NCW) jurisdiction in the matter and termed its notice as “politically motivated”.
“The Commission has taken cognisance of his remark. The comments made are extremely condemnable and shameful. The Commission has sent a notice to Shri Udit Raj. NCW has scheduled a hearing and asked Shri Raj to appear before the Commission in person on October 10, 2022 at 3 pm,” the NCW had said on October 6.
In reply, Raj, who is the National Chairman of Unorganised Workers and Employees Congress, wrote: “The National Commission for Women has transgressed its jurisdiction. The content of my tweet is not related to women issues rather it refers to Rashtrapati of Bharat. The office of President is empowered to protect itself, you, me and every citizen of the country. You and I have to go to Droupadi Murmu ji for our protection if it is needed rather than the other way round.”
“Your notice is politically motivated. Caste is a reality in India and Madam Murmu belongs to the community whose concerns I share. I have a duty to urge her to speak for adivasis and Dalits. After she assumed the highest chair the atrocities against Adivasis in Dumka and Godda – Jharkhand happened but she did not speak for them,” alleged Raj.
He said, “On the eve of the election in Gujarat, the President says that all Indians eat salt made in Gujarat. Was it appropriate? In India this phrase relates to loyalty.” He said the NCW doesn’t have jurisdiction in the matter, “yet I am responding to your notice”. The NCW should not “undermine the authority of the President”.
At a function recently, Murmu had noted that Gujarat manufactures 76 percent of salt produced in the country. “It can be said that all countrymen eat Gujarat’s salt,” she had said.
This incensed Raj. “No country should get a president like Droupadi Murmu. This is height of sycophancy. She says 70 per cent of people eat Gujarat’s salt. Spend your life eating salt, then you will know the truth,” he had remarked.
The BJP lashed out at the Congress. “It is a matter of surprise and pain that Congress leaders are regularly using such undignified expressions. This exposes the party’s anti-tribal mindset. The Congress should apologise,” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
Another BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla hit out at the Congress leader tweeting, “Udit Raj uses unacceptable language for the 1st woman Adivasi President! Does the Congress endorse this insult of Adivasi samaj?”
