Watch | Sonia Gandhi After President’s Joint Address to Parliament: 'Was Getting Very Tired... Could Hardly Speak, Poor Thing'

​​​​​​​Outside Parliament, Gandhi remarked, "The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing," a statement that immediately drew sharp criticism.

A fresh controversy erupted at the start of the Budget Session, triggered by Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's comments about President Droupadi Murmu's address in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Outside Parliament, Gandhi remarked, "The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing," a statement that immediately drew sharp criticism.

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Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, strongly condemned Gandhi's comments, calling for an apology. Rijiju expressed that Sonia Gandhi's remarks were disrespectful, especially given the nationwide praise for President Murmu's speech. "The entire country has lauded the speech of the President. But Congress leader Sonia Gandhi ji and other opposition leaders have criticized it," he said.

 

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Rijiju, a Tribal leader himself, emphasized the significance of having a Tribal woman as the President of India and defended President Murmu's lifelong contributions to the nation and society. He stated that the remarks about the President being weak, tired, and boring were highly inappropriate, particularly in the context of her achievements. He urged Congress to apologize, saying, "They are calling her weak. They can't digest it."

The minister further highlighted that President Murmu's speech was significant and inspiring, pointing to her leadership and the historic milestone of a Tribal woman holding the highest office in India. The remarks have sparked a debate on respect for the office of the President and the dignity of the Tribal community.

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