TMC leader Kirti Azad mocks Khasi attire and PM Modi, draws flak

After the backlash from BJP leaders and NE Chief Ministers Azad deleted his tweet.

By Lipika Roy

Once again, the Northeast region of India, its culture, traditions, and attire have become a subject of amusement and mockery after Trinamool Congress leader and former cricketer Kirti Azad allegedly made fun of the traditional Khasi tribal attire worn by PM Modi during his recent Meghalaya visit.

In his latest tweet, Kirti Azad shared a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi wearing the traditional Khasi attire alongside a screenshot of a female model wearing a similar attire on an online shopping website. He captioned the picture as ‘Neither male nor female. Only a worshipper of fashion.’ Besides, it was also written in the photo that the ‘multi-floral embroidered dress’ can be bought online easily.

This invited sharp responses from the Chief Ministers of Northeast and other BJP leaders who lashed out at Kirti Azad for his controversial remark and comments on PM Modi’s attire.

Hitting back at Azad, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the TMC leader had disrespected the culture and tribal attire of Meghalaya. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also sought a response from the TMC.

“It is saddening to see how @KirtiAzaad is disrespecting the culture of Meghalaya and mocking our tribal attire. TMC must urgently clarify if they endorse his views. Their silence will amount to tacit support and thus will not be forgiven by the people,” CM Sarma tweeted.

It is saddening to see how @KirtiAzaad is disrespecting the culture of Meghalaya and mocking our tribal attire. TMC must urgently clarify if they endorse his views. Their silence will amount to tacit support and thus will not be forgiven by the people. https://t.co/XytXuytUst

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 21, 2022

Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu also took to Twitter condemning the TMC leader’s act wrote, “Dear @KirtiAzaad~ Your making mockery of rich tribal traditions of Meghalaya, and our rich tribal heritage, is contemptuous and abominable. Your language is pitiable, and an affront on the dignity of womanhood. I condemn it.”

CM Khandu also tagged TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in his tweet.

Dear @KirtiAzaad ~ Your making mockery of rich tribal traditions of Meghalaya, and our rich tribal heritage, is contemptuous and abominable. Your language is pitiable, and an affront on the dignity of womanhood. I condemn it. @MamataOfficial https://t.co/bauuUzjTHP

— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) December 22, 2022

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh also took to Twitter and wrote, “Kirti Azad’s unwarranted mockery of the culture of Meghalaya is condemned in the strongest terms. This has been not only unfortunate but highly unbecoming of a political leader to make such outrageous and ill-informed remarks against a tribal attire of the Northeast.”

Kirti Azad’s unwarranted mockery of the culture of Meghalaya is condemned in the strongest terms. This has been not only unfortunate but highly unbecoming of a political leader to make such outrageous and ill-informed remarks against a tribal attire of the Northeast. https://t.co/vU8OgZMk7I

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) December 22, 2022

BJP Scheduled Tribe Morcha has also sought action against him.

This is extremely derogatory by all means, Mr Uncouth @KirtiAzaad. This is the tribal attire of Meghalaya which PM @narendramodi ji is respecting by wearing it.

Action should be taken against him @ncsthq @MundaArjun @SameerOraon16 @blsanthosh @v_shrivsatish @DilipSaikia4Bjp https://t.co/d7iInueNqM

— BJP Scheduled Tribe Morcha (@BJPSTMORCHA) December 21, 2022

Meanwhile, Azad was quick to respond and clarified his statement stating that he had not disrespected the attire, but rather was appreciating the Prime Minister’s fashion sense.

‘I have not disrespected the attire, I love it. I am trying to express that our Prime Minister loves to makes a fashion statement. Never misses an opportunity,” Azad replied to all who have expressed anger upon him for his tweet.

After the backlash from BJP leaders and NE Chief Ministers Azad deleted his tweet.

I have not disrespected the
attire, I love it. I am trying to
express that our Prime Minister
loves to makes a fashion statement.
Never misses an opportunity// https://t.co/VS3LFtY1co

— Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzaad) December 21, 2022

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