- Thursday, March 06, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
Akhil Giri, a minister in the Trinamool Congress of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, on Saturday (12) drew widespread criticism, including from his own party, for making controversial remarks on president Droupadi Murmu.
He apologised after a video clip of his comments went viral on social media.
In the 17-second video clip, the authenticity of which could not be verified by India Weekly independently, Giri, the fisheries minister, was heard commenting on the “looks of the president”.
“They (the state’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Party) said that I am not good-looking. We don’t judge anyone by their appearance. We respect the office of the president (of India). But how does our president look?” Giri, 63, was heard saying at a rally in a village in Nandigram in East Midnapore district of the state on Friday (11) evening.
The TMC distanced itself from the minister’s remark saying it was “irresponsible”.
“This is an irresponsible comment & does NOT represent the views of @AITCofficial. We are extremely proud of the President of India & hold her & her office in the highest regard,” read a tweet by TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale.
Statement:
This is an irresponsible comment & does NOT represent the views of @AITCofficial.
We are extremely proud of the President of India & hold her & her office in the highest regard. https://t.co/v571435Snv
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) November 12, 2022
The party also condemned Giri’s remark in a tweet saying “such misogyny is unacceptable”.
We have the utmost respect for Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
Our party strongly condemns the unfortunate remarks made by MLA @AkhilGiriAITC and clarifies that we do not condone such statements.
In the era of women's empowerment, such misogyny is unacceptable.
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) November 12, 2022
Giri later told a news channel, “I didn’t mean to disrespect the honourable president. I was replying to what BJP leaders said while verbally attacking me. Every day I am verbally attacked for my looks. If someone thinks I have disrespected the president, then it is wrong. I apologise for making such a remark. I have immense respect for the president of our country.”
I respect President. I mentioned the post&made a comparison to respond to Suvendu Adhikari,I didn't take any name. He had said Akhil Giri looks bad in his appearance. I'm a min,took oath to office. If something is said against me, it's an insult to Constitution: WB Min Akhil Giri pic.twitter.com/9w1oY2BuZA
— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022
In a video statement, he said he regretted making such a remark that resulted from an outburst of anger following continuous attacks aimed at him.
The BJP had lashed out at the TMC over the minister’s remark saying it harboured an “anti-tribal” mindset.
Bengal BJP parliamentarian Saumitra Khan wrote to the National Commission for Women seeking action against Giri over his comment on the 64-year-old Murmu, who became India’s first tribal president in July.
Amit Malviya, chief of the BJP’s information technology department, lashed out at TMC chief Mamata Banerjee accusing her of being anti-tribal who didn’t support Murmu in the presidential election. He called the Giri episode a “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 saffron party, which backed Murmu in the presidential election, also took out rallies in various parts of Bengal, including capitak Kolkata, seeking Giri’s sacking as the minister and his arrest.
The TMC said while it did not support such a remark, it also would not take responsibility for remarks made by leaders in an individual capacity.
A few months ago, Adhir Chowdhury, a senior parliamentarian from the opposition Indian National Congress from Bengal, faced flak for calling ‘rashtrapati’ (president) Murmu as ‘rastrapatni’. He apologised later.
