TMC Minister Draws Flak For Comment On President Droupadi Murmu, BJP Demands Arrest

Akhil Giri is facing severe criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party over his comments on President Droupadi Murmu.

West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri is facing severe criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party over his comments on President Droupadi Murmu.

Source : Twitter/ANI

West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri is facing severe criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party over his comments on President Droupadi Murmu. In a video that went viral, the Minister for Correctional Administration, while addressing people in Nandigram on Thursday, was heard saying, "We don't judge anyone by their appearance, we respect the office of the President (of India). But how does our President look?".

#WATCH | "We don't judge anyone by their appearance, we respect the office of the President (of India). But how does our President look?," says West Bengal Minister and TMC leader Akhil Giri in Nandigram (11.11.2022) pic.twitter.com/UcGKbGqc7p

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

Reacting over Giri's remarks, BJP MP Saumitra Khan writes to National Commission for Women (NCW), requesting them to "immediately arrest" Akhil Giri and take appropriate action against him. She also requested them to "try to dismiss him from the MLA post also" over his objectionable remark on President Droupadi Murmu.

BJP MP Saumitra Khan writes to National Commission for Women (NCW), requesting them to "immediately arrest" Akhil Giri and take appropriate action against him and "try to dismiss him from the MLA post also" over his objectionable remark on President Droupadi Murmu. https://t.co/DJqIQ6uTFt pic.twitter.com/K4HnVBtHrT

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

Reacting to Giri’s comments, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya said: “Akhil Giri, minister in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet, insults the President, says, ‘We don’t care about looks. But how does your President look?’ Mamata Banerjee has always been anti-tribal, didn’t support President Murmu for the office and now this. Shameful level of discourse.”

Akhil Giri, minister in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet, insults the President, says, “We don't care about looks. But how does your President look?"

Mamata Banerjee has always been anti-Tribals, didn’t support President Murmu for the office and now this. Shameful level of discourse… pic.twitter.com/DwixV4I9Iw

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 11, 2022

The BJP’s West Bengal unit has also called for a statewide protest on Saturday against the comments and demanded Giri’s resignation. “President Droupadi Murmu, hails from the Tribal community. Akhil Giri, TMC Minister of Correctional Homes made objectionable comments about her in the presence of Shashi Panja, another minister from the women’s welfare department Mamata Banerjee and TMC are anti-tribal,” the BJP’s Bengal unit tweeted.

President of BJP’s West Bengal unit, Sukanta Majumdar also reacted to the Mamata Banerjee-led government. “CM Mamata Banerjee has always been Anti Tribal. His minister Akhil Giri took it further and insulted the president on her look. Why she and her govt hate tribals so much?” Majumdar wrote on Twitter.

However, this is not the first time that controversial remarks have been made about President Murmu. Earlier, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had found himself in an uncomfortable situation after he referred to President Murmu as “Rashtrapatni”. Congress leader Udit Raj, too, had faced heat for accusing the President of ‘sycophancy’. Both leaders later apologised for their remarks.