Shillong, Dec 22: The AITC has condemned the statement of TMC leader Kirti Azaad on the traditional dress worn by Prime Minister during his recent visit.
“We uphold India’s diversity & respect the vibrant culture of our nation.Proudly, we celebrate the ethnic traditions of diverse people and strive to empower them. We do not support @KirtiAzaad’s comments & strongly condemn it. His remarks do not reflect the party’s views”, the AITC tweeted.
Both the BJP and the NPP in separate statements demanded apology from the AITC.
The chief minister Conrad Sangma, who posed wearing traditional dress ( see picture), wanted apology for disrespecting the culture of Meghalaya and tribal attire.
He was referring to the twitter post by Azad where he had shared an image of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi wearing the traditional Khasi outfit during his recent visit to Shillong and captioned it as “It is neither male nor female, he is only a priest of fashion.”
Sangma told reporters that the statement of the TMC leader was very insulting to the people of Meghalaya especially to the Khasi tribe.
“The leaders of the political party in the state must also apologise and the individual who has made this statement must apologise for this kind of insulting statement he has made against the people of our state and against the culture of our people,” he said.
BJP state president Ernest Mawrie condemned the TMC for its remark mocking the Khasi culture in very demeaning words. “TMC leader Kriti Azad had used a very derogatory phrase for the traditional attire of the Khasis, which our hon’ble Prime Minister so proudly wore”. Mawrie said.
He said the remarks showed the real mindset of the TMC leadership against the tribals of the state, and tribals in general.
“The remark also showed how little this regional party from West Bengal understood Meghalaya, its people and its culture”, he said. Mawrie asked the state leaders who have joined TMC to see the truth about the real intent of their party.
