BJP leader Khusbhu Sundar has said the ‘Cheri language’ remark she made has been misunderstood by others and claimed 'Cheri' was a French word that meant 'lovable'. Sundar said she was perhaps too intelligent for people around, adding that they couldn't understand what she referred to in the comments.
"I was very sarcastic in my tweet. When I say 'cheri', I was very clear that it was a French word which means lovable, that's what I meant. 'I can't speak your lovable language, is what I wanted to tell you'. Probably, I am too intelligent for people around," the BJP leader said.
Tamil Nadu Congress and Dalit bodies earlier criticised Sundar, who is also a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), for her ‘Cheri language’ remark.
Khushbu had expressed her views about derogatory comments made by Tamil actor Mansoor Ali Khan against his Leo co-star Trisha and other actresses on social media platform X. Later, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supporter Shanmugam Chinnaraj tagged Khusbu alleged on the application that NCW was sleeping when women in Manipur were made to parade naked and beaten, but it woke up for actress Trisha.
In response to this, Sundar said on X, "This is what DMK goons do. Use a foul language. But this is what they are taught. To insult a woman. Sorry can’t speak your cheri language but I would suggest wake up and look what was spoken and action taken. And if DMK does not teach you about laws, then shame on you being a lawyer and shame on your leader for having idiots like you around him. @mkstalin beware of the bunch of fools who are out there to destroy you."
Dalit Body Raises Objection Over Sundar's Remark
Later, a Dalit-centric movement, Neelam foundation and Tamail Nadu Congress condemned Khushbu for using the term ‘Cheri language’.
"In Khushbu’s response to a tweet she labels the use of foul language to insult women as ‘Cheri language’. Cheri is the Tamil word for Dalit ghettos, the place that has witnessed inter-generational resistance of Dalit women against caste, gender and other forms of oppression. Normalising the ‘colloquial’ use of this term to denote foul and disrespect, within the connotation of profanity disregards the history, culture and lives of the community. This is unacceptable and strongly condemnable! We demand an unconditional apology from Khushbu," the foundation wrote on X, quoted India Today.
Khusbh Response With 'Selective Crowd' Jibe
After the row got intense, Khusbu posted a screenshot of the meaning of word 'cheri' from the Cambridge dictionary stating that it is a French word, and the meaning is 'beloved'.
"How funny to see an outrage from a bunch of selective crowd over my language in my tweet. The same are mute spectators to an outrage of women modesty. Would like to educate the educated illiterates a little about it. My tweet is laced with sarcasm. 'Cheri' is a word in French that means beloved or loved, It was used in that context to show the troll from goons party that i share love. I have always been proud of the values instilled in me by my mother. I am someone who has always been in the forefront for the rights of underprivileged. Discrimination is in your dirty heads when you jump to conclusions without applying your minds. So, as always, I say, take a long walk. You will always be those following to gain 2 minutes of fame and expect my individual reaction. Sorry guys, you are not worth it," claimed Sundar.