Twitter is abuzz with reactions, some even from top politicians, after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor commented on Prime Minister Narendra Modi wearing “all sorts of outlandish headgear” and being seen in “hilarious Naga head-dress with feathers”. The former Union minister was speaking at a seminar in Kerala on Monday.
“Why does our PM, who wears all sorts of outlandish headgear whenever he goes around country, around the world… why does he always refuse to wear a Muslim skullcap? You see him in hilarious Naga head-dress with feathers, various kinds of extraordinary outfits, which is right thing for PM to do… Indira Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes,” Tharoor said, while speaking on the theme ,“Standing up to hatred; Violence and intolerance”, at the seminar.
Watch the video below:
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called it an “abhorring act”…
An abhorring act!
Mocking people of #NorthEast and our dressing choices is what Rahul Gandhi’s family & .@INCIndia has done for 70 years.
Will .@RahulGandhi apologise for such statements of his party members? pic.twitter.com/64ecDIUOyg
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 6, 2018
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio was quite vocal about his criticism of the comment and urged people to apologise for such statements.
Nagas have rich heritage&vibrant culture.We are proud of our history&traditions. The Naga headgear is renowned&gifted with honour,definitely not outlandish. Mutual respect makes India a great nation. One must apologise & withdraw statements that hurt others sentiments.
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) August 6, 2018
In his tweet, Ram Madhav, one of the most well-known faces of the BJP in the Northeast, said Tharoor doesn’t mind insulting the custom of the Nagas.
For Shashi Tharoor, Naga headgear is ‘outlandish’ and ‘hilarious’. In his over zealous love for skull cap, Tharoor doesn’t mind insulting d customs of d Nagas n other NE people: https://t.co/WpgshY9cji via @DNA Web Team
— Ram Madhav (@rammadhavbjp) August 6, 2018
Several Twitter users lashed out at Tharoor reminding him of similar headgear worn by Congress leaders in the past.
Pic 1: Rajiv Gandhi in Naga headgear
Pic 2: Narendra Modi in Naga HeadgearPic 1: Secular & friendly
Pic 2: Communal with outlandish, ridiculous headgearFor better understanding of the differences, pls contact Shashi Tharoor.#CongHeadgearInsult pic.twitter.com/a1rKMgu0cb
— Subhajoy Maity (@SubhajoyMaity) August 6, 2018
Honour: Chacha Nehru in Naga headgear. pic.twitter.com/BBb4dH0i4Y
— Anuj Dhar (@anujdhar) August 7, 2018
“Educational” tweets were rampant too… One such tweet came from Nongthombam Biren, the first ever BJP CM in Manipur. Interestingly, Biren had resigned from the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) after a revolt against Okram Ibobi Singh, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, in October 2016.
I am appalled at the gross insensitivity shown by the Congress MP @ShashiTharoor Just to educate you about our culture -headgears are given as a matter of honour to our tribal leaders and kings.I,on behalf of my Naga brothers and sisters,demand an unconditional apology.@PMOIndia
— Nongthombam Biren (@NBirenSingh) August 6, 2018