BY PC Bureau
The Rashtrapati Bhavan has expressed strong disapproval over comments made by senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, regarding President Droupadi Murmu’s address to Parliament. In an official statement , the President’s office termed the remarks as “unfortunate and entirely avoidable,” and described them as being “in poor taste.”
The controversy erupted after Sonia Gandhi, the former Congress president, made a comment on President Murmu’s speech in Parliament, referring to her as a “poor thing.” The remark immediately sparked backlash, with critics accusing Gandhi of disrespecting the office of the President and making a dismissive statement towards the first tribal woman to hold the highest constitutional post in India.
Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Response:
The Rashtrapati Bhavan, in its statement, did not directly name Sonia Gandhi but indicated that the comments made by Congress leaders were inappropriate and could have been avoided. “It is regrettable that such statements were made in the public domain,” the statement read. The President’s office emphasized that the remarks were not reflective of the dignity and respect due to the office of the President, an institution that holds the highest esteem in the country.
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The comments, which were widely interpreted as a personal attack on President Murmu, have sparked a heated debate within political circles. Supporters of Sonia Gandhi, however, have argued that the remark was made in a specific context and should not be taken out of proportion. Despite this, the statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan has put the Congress party under intense scrutiny.
‘… My mother – Mrs Sonia Gandhi ji – is a 78 year old lady.. she simply said that President must have been tired reading such a long speech
She has utmost respect for President and it is very unfortunate thing that this kind of thing is being twisted by the media
They are… pic.twitter.com/fO3mxEe8JH
— Supriya Bhardwaj (@Supriya23bh) January 31, 2025
Political Reactions:
The controversy has also ignited political discourse across party lines. The BJP, the ruling party, has strongly condemned Sonia Gandhi’s remarks, accusing her of disrespecting the President and undermining the dignity of the office. “It is unbecoming of a senior leader of the Congress to make such remarks against the President of India,” said BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.
On the other hand, Congress leaders have called for a more nuanced understanding of the statement. Some party members claim that the remark was intended as a comment on the tone of the President’s speech rather than an attack on her personally.
Public Sentiment and Media Coverage:
The public’s reaction to the controversy has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment over what they perceive as a lack of respect for the President’s office, while others are questioning the motives behind the outrage. Media outlets have covered the issue extensively, with many calling it a significant development in Indian politics.
This incident has once again brought the discourse around respect for constitutional offices into sharp focus. While political leaders continue to defend their respective positions, the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s response has made it clear that certain comments, particularly those directed at the President, are deemed unacceptable and disrespectful. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the dignity of the highest office in the land.
