Rajnath Singh Condemns Targeting of Sushma Swaraj by Social Media Trolls
Rajnath's remarks came a day after Swaraj took to Twitter to mark her dissent against the language used by the trolls.
New Delhi, July 2: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has condemned the targeting of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj by trolls on social media. The latter has been facing flak for after her Ministry took action against Lucknow-based passport officer Vikas Mishra for allegedly harassing an interfaith couple.
"I consider this absolutely wrong," said Rajnath Singh on being asked by reporters about the offensive language being used by critics against Sushma Swaraj.
Rajnath's remarks came a day after Swaraj took to Twitter to mark her dissent against the language used by the trolls. She created a poll on the micro-blogging site asking whether the readers approved of the manner in which she has been targeted over the past week. Interestingly, 43 per cent among the Twitterati said "yes".
Here are some of the vicious tweets sent by right-wing commentators to the Union Minister for favouring a "Muslim woman" in the Lucknow passport controversy case.
The Minister's husband Swaraj Kaushal also received abusive messages on social media, with one of the users recommending him to "beat up his wife for Muslim appeasement".
"Your words have given us unbearable pain… Please do not use such words for her," Kaushal replied to the Twitter user, identified as Mukesh Gupta (@MG_IITDelhi). The tweet has been deleted.
About Lucknow passport row
An interfaith couple, Tanvi Seth aka Sadia Anas and Anas Siddiqui had approached the Lucknow passport office after applying for a passport. The officer on duty, Vikas Mishra, allegedly misbehaved with them. According to Seth's complaint, her husband was asked to "convert to Hinduism" before applying for the passport.
After the matter came to the External Affair Ministry's notice, Mishra was transferred to Gorakhpur and an inquiry was ordered against him. The departmental probe is underway.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2018 05:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).