K'taka CM apologises for referring to Prez Murmu in the singular
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Bengaluru: Expressing regrets for referring to President Droupadi Murmu in the singular, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while admitting it as a gaffe on his part, said he has immense respect for her as she also comes from oppressed classes like him.
He was referring to his remark at a state-level convention of the oppressed communities, Shoshitara Jagruti Samavesha, organised by the Federation of Associations of Oppressed Communities and Federation of Karnataka Backward Classes Federation at Chitradurga on Sunday, which had come under sharp criticism by the opposition BJP and JD(S).
JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, demanded Siddaramaiah's dismissal from the Chief Minister's post for addressing the President in the singular.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi said Siddaramaiah has again proven that he has utmost disregard for the Constitution and those who represent it, holding supreme positions.
Amid the outrage, Siddaramaiah took to social media to express his regret and apologise for the “blunder”.
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Siddaramaiah, in a post on 'X', said he was deeply hurt and angered as the President was not invited to the inaugural ceremony of the new Parliament building by the BJP leaders, "only because she belongs to the Dalit community".
“The BJP which makes tall claims, did not invite poor Droupadi Murmu, one who belongs to the oppressed class, for the Parliament inauguration. She (mentioned as ‘avalu’ in singular) was not invited despite being the custodian of the Constitution. The day before, she was not even invited to inaugurate the Ram temple. Then, they keep saying Siddaramaiah is anti-Hindu. I am not against anybody. I am pro-humanity,” said Siddaramaiah, who urged the oppressed classes to identify their “real” enemy and reject them.
"While speaking at the convention, I became a bit emotional and while expressing outrage, I addressed her in the singular as a slip of the tongue," he clarified later.
Further noting that it is a practice to address parents and elders in the singular, in rural areas, from where he also comes, the Chief Minister said, "I have immense respect for the honourable President, as she also comes from oppressed classes like me. I should not have addressed her in the singular. I regret the blunder committed due to my indiscretion."
Hitting out at the CM in a series of posts on 'X', along with the clipping of his speech addressing the President in the singular, Kumaraswamy said Siddaramaiah does not deserve to be in the Chief Minister's post even for a moment. He should immediately resign taking moral responsibility or the Governor should remove him from the post.
Joshi said on 'X': "Dear Siddaramaiah, I seriously don't understand what's gotten into you and your party! You have time and again proven that you have utmost disregard for the Constitution and those who represent it, holding supreme positions."
Addressing the President and that too a woman in the singular is extremely disgraceful, he said. "This coming from a law student like you is even more shocking and disappointing. Either education has escaped you or you are becoming senile. I wonder which it is! Neither age nor experience are reflected in your words and actions!'".
With PTI inputs
