Union Minister Smriti Irani protested today in the Lok Sabha, seeking an apology from the Congress after senior leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury referred to President Droupadi Murmu as “Rashtrapatni,” accusing the Congress of “demeaning” her.
Sonia Gandhi, you sanctioned the humiliation of Droupadi Murmu. Sonia ji sanctioned humiliation of a woman in the highest constitutional post: Union minister Smriti Irani in Lok Sabha
Congress interim pres Sonia Gandhi was present in the House before it adjourned till 12 noon pic.twitter.com/rQZhCyD4yb
— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022
Another protest against the comment was organised by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who had just recovered from Covid. She was joined by other MPs and held placards as they stood on the grounds of the Parliament. Sitharaman referred to it as a “deliberate sexist abuse” inside the lower chamber and asked the Congress President to apologise.
It was a deliberate sexist insult. Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the President of India and the country: Finance Minister & BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman on Cong MP Adhir Chowdhury’s ‘Rashtrapatni’ remark pic.twitter.com/4CSGFzH2TE
— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2022
Sonia Gandhi was the target of a vicious attack from Smiriti Irani, who demanded an apology from her. She claimed that “Sonia Gandhi approved the degrading of a woman in the highest constitutional office in the nation.” Irani slammed Sonia Gandhi as “anti-Adivasi, anti-Dalit, and anti-woman” in a furious manner.
The BJP is “creating a mountain out of a molehill,” Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury quickly apologised, saying it was only a simple slip of the tongue.
Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi said that Chowdhury has already apologised. He accused the BJP of diverting attention away from important topics on price increases, the Agnipath scheme, unemployment, etc.
Amid the BJP’s loud protest, the Lok Sabha was suspended until 12 pm.
