Nirupam defends 'anpadh-gawar' remarks against PM, says 'words aren't undignified'

Triggering a controversy, Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam had on Wednesday called Narendra Modi "illiterate", while criticising the state government's decision to screen a short film on the prime minister's life at schools in Maharashtra.

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam. (PTI)

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Thursday defended his derogatory remark against Narendra Modi in which he termed the Prime Minister as 'anpadh-gawar' (illiterate). Nirupam, who is Congress Maharashtra unit chief, triggered a controversy on Wednesday after he called Narendra Modi "illiterate", while criticising the state government's decision to screen a short film on the prime minister's life at schools in Maharashtra. Defending his comment, which drew a sharp reaction from BJP leaders, Nirupam said the words he used weren't undignified. “It’s a democracy and the PM isn’t God in a democracy, people speak of him while maintaining a decorum. The words I used aren’t undignified,” ANI quoted Nirupam as saying. Nirupam had on Wednesday said: "The decision to screen the film forcibly is wrong. Children should be kept away from politics. What will students learn from watching a film on an uneducated and illiterate person like Modi." "Children and people do not know how many degrees the prime minister holds," he had said.

It's a democracy&PM isn't God in a democracy,people speak of him while maintaining decorum. The words I used aren't undignified: S Nirupam on his remark 'Jo bachhe school, college mein padh rahe hain Modi jaise unpadh-gawaar ke baare mein jaan kar unko kya milne wala hai?' (12.9) pic.twitter.com/1Umvb4ypgh

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2018

Reacting to Nirupam's remarks, Shaina NC had tweeted, "Yet another abnoxious comment by a mentally deranged @sanjaynirupam . May be he forgets that @narendramodi is elected by 125 cr Indians who aren't "unpad or gavar".@INCIndia is devoid of ideology and relevant questions. Sure citizens will give a befitting reply in 2019 (sic). Anil Shirole, a BJP MP from Maharashtra had tweeted, "PM is not a representative of one party, he is the Prime Minister of the Country and it's people. @sanjaynirupam by insulting our PM you have insulted and disrespected the office, the country and the constitution drafted by Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar ji (sic).