New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Locket Chatterjee has filed a complaint against Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Akhil Giri for allegedly using derogatory remarks against President Droupadi Murmu, reported news agency ANI. Chatterjee lodged the complaint at Delhi’s North Avenue Police Station and requested immediate action and FIR against Giri under sections of Indian Penal Code and the SC-ST Act.
The BJP MP also demanded a statement on the issue from Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that Giri should be sacked. She also said that Mamata Banerjee should come to Delhi and apologise.
“They may say a lot about the SC-ST community in public but this is the actual sentiment of their ministers,” she said.
In a 17-second video clip, Giri was heard commenting on the looks of the President and mocking the BJP.
"They (BJP) said that I am not good-looking. We don't judge anyone by their appearance. We respect the office of the President (of India). But how does our President look?" Giri, the minister of state for Correctional Homes, was heard saying at a rally in a village in Nandigram late on Friday evening.
Giri’s comment drew widespread criticism after which he tendered an apology.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda also demanded that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tender a public apology for Giri's comments and also clarify that at whose behest he made such "unfortunate" and "indecent" remarks.
He has hurt the sentiments of over 10 crore tribals and dented the country's democratic values, Munda, a tribal like Murmu, told reporters here.
Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said if a minister who has taken a pledge to preserve the ethos of the Constitution makes such a derogatory remark, then he must be sacked.
"Mamata Banerjee should lead by example and expel such a leader from her party (TMC)," Bhatia said.