'Personal, not party's view', says Congress' Udit Raj on his criticism of President Murmu

Congress leader Udit Raj, who faced flak after his “no country should get such a President” remark and accusing President Droupadi Murmu of ‘chamchagiri’, has clarified that his view is personal and nothing to do with his party.

On Thursday (October 6), Udit Raj tweeting the clarification also added that her (Droupadi Murmu’s) candidature and campaign were in the name Adivasi, it doesn’t mean she is no longer Adivasi. “My heart cries that when SC/ST reach to higher position, they ditch their communities and become mum,” said the former MP, who was heavily criticised by the BJP for being ‘anti-tribal’ for his comment.

My statement as regard to Draupadi Murmuji is mine & nothing to do with Congress.Her candidature & campaign were in the name adivasi, it doesn’t mean she is no longer adivasi. My heart cries that when SC/ST reach to higher position, they ditch their communities & become mum.

— Dr. Udit Raj (@Dr_Uditraj) October 6, 2022

On Wednesday, Raj had taken to Twitter to write that no country should get a President like Droupadi Murmu ji. “Sycophancy also has its limits. She said that 70 per cent of people eat salt from Gujarat. If you live life by eating salt yourself, you will know,” he hit out at her.

Udit Raj’s remarks came days after President Murmu praised Gujarat in a civic reception hosted by the state government in her honour in Gandhinagar. She noted that the state produces 76 per cent of the country’s salt and added that “the salt produced in Gujarat is consumed by all Indians”.

Also watch: Will Droupadi Murmu’s presidency benefit tribals? | Off The Beaten Track- Episode 3

BJP slams Congress anti-tribal mindset

The BJP slammed him for his “worrisome and unfortunate words” used for President Murmu. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, “Words used for President Murmu by Congress leader Udit Raj are worrisome, unfortunate.” Further, he pointed out that this isn’t the 1st time Congress has used such words.

“Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury did it too. This reflects their anti-tribal mindset,” he stressed. BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla also said that Congress has stooped to a new low with Raj’s comment.

After Ajoy Kumar called President Draupadi Murmu as evil & then Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary used the term “Rashtrapatni” now Congress stoops to a new low! Udit Raj uses unacceptable language for the 1st woman Adivasi President!

Does the Congress endorse this insult of Adviasi samaj pic.twitter.com/W0owoqxYHu

— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) October 6, 2022

He tweeted that after Ajoy Kumar called President Draupadi Murmu as evil, then Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary used the term ‘Rashtrapatni’…”Udit Raj uses unacceptable language for the 1st woman Adivasi President!” he said. Hed went on to ask, “Does the Congress endorse this insult of Adviasi samaj?”

Also read: How a Santhali named Puti became Droupadi Murmu

NCW asks Udit Raj to apologise

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday stepped in to send a notice to Congress leader Udit Raj about his statement on President Droupadi Murmu and asked him to apologise.

#NewsAlert | National Commission for Women (@NCWIndia) to send notice to Congress leader Udit Raj for his objectionable statement against President Droupadi Murmu.https://t.co/v0nDLKGCG8

— NDTV (@ndtv) October 6, 2022