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PM downplays Tharoor's tweets
Sandeep Phukan, Friday September 18, 2009, New Delhi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has spoken on the controversy over Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor's 'cattle class' remark on the networking site Twitter.

The Prime Minister has downplayed Tharoor's comments on twitters.

He said: "It is not an important issue."

The Congress has not ruled out action against the Mnister of State for External Affairs for his comments on Twitter.

"Congress would take whatever action is appropriate at an appropriate time," Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said.

Tharoor's Officer on Special Duty who had tweeted in response to the cattle class remarks to state that India's politicians are humourless could also be in trouble.

But Tharoor's apology is not good enough for the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. At an iftaar party he said, "He should apologise to the nation and offer to step down as a minister."

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has "tweeted" his apology around midnight to all those hurt by his "cattle class" remark.

Tweeting from Liberia, Mr Tharoor's apology came a day after the Congress party publicly reprimanded him for stating that he would travel "cattle class in solidarity with all our holy cows" in a message posted on Twitter.

Mr Tharoor said the phrase cattle class was used by a scribe and he had only repeated it. Further, according to the Minister, "it's a silly expression but means no disrespect to economy class travellers, only to airlines for herding us in like cattle".

Apart from Tharoor's remark, sources say, the Congress is angry at the remarks made by the Tharoor's personal aid Jacob.

On Thursday, Jacob had described the Indian politicians as humourless, saying things like, "Now they should call a cow to the TV studio for a discussion."

It is clear that the party is not amused by Tharoor's comment, especially at a time when party's top leaders are leading its austerity drive by example. But the question is how far will the party go in penalising Shashi Tharoor.

Meanwhile, Tharoor on his part is still tweeting.

"Am glad my tweets last night have been noticed, have now realised I shouldn't assume people will appreciate humour and you shouldn't give those who would willfully distort your words an opportunity to do so."
 
 
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Tags: austerity drive, Shashi tharoor, twitter
Comments
Posted by Savio Mesquita on Sep 19, 2009
The reaction by politicians especially by Mrs Natarajan and Mr. Manish Tiwari over the remarks on Shashi Tharror is not only disgraceful but an attempt to cover the ills of our country. The CCongress party has ruled more than 45 years since Independence and what they have done to alliviate the transpotation of people in this country? Are we not travelling every day packed like sardines nee cows be in the trains in Mumbai or in buses all over the country. And what about the poor villages deep in the states of Bihar , Jharkand, UP, Bengal. Are thery not still using bullock carts to travel. PLease talk intelligently and not be like Bulls. Accept the reality that even after 60 years we continue to a backward nations. You all play on the emotions of our country men and making tham believe the falsehood. Yes we Indians are emotional people we tend to forget our every day miseries if some plays on their emotions. The clssic case being every time we win some cricket match or a touney we all forget of night meal and we go celebrating the win. Please Mr. Tiwari and Mrs Natrajan let allow intelligent people to express evenif it is a joke better still that it is a pun. It will send message for right message. That is development of peoples need of water, housing , infrastrure and mode of better communication. Congratulation to Shashi Tharoor keep continue to tweet and use every forum to put these nasty politians many of whom came as paupers from towns and villages and now have forgotten thier roots. They all have looted the exchacer and now find it difficult to accept the reality
Posted by Rohan Kapoor on Sep 18, 2009
As an Indo-Canadian, I've been watching the debacle that has been going on with Tharoor. All I have to say is a man of his class, integrity and eloquence deserves better from his fellow politicians and Indians. It is apparent that his colleagues have an inferiority complex. Instead of appreciating his background as one of the top diplomats of the UN and his vast experience in world diplomatic affairs, you treat him like an ordinary Indian. He is an extra ordinary man, in an otherwise ordinary country. It would do the country good if people of his caliber were allowed to be politicians and shared that uncanny sense of humor. And for heaven's sake, Indians show some class, if your external affairs minister doesn't travel by business or first class then who will? Do you want to enter the world forum with respect or be treated as a third world nation as so many already perceive you to be. Dont fool yourselves the racial attacks in Australia are direct repercussions on how the world perceives you (India). Dont you think you should improve the image of India? It is in point of fact one of the cradles of civilization, yet how often do you Indians reflect it to be? Right now you all aren't doing a very good job of it. Last of all it seems Indians have a double standard on Democracy and this is not healthy for the nation as a whole. If Tharoor spent his own money on staying at hotels for 2-3 months at a time, who are you to judge him? Just because he is a politician doesn't give the public the right to dictate terms on what is and what isnt acceptable with his own money. As a North American, I'm appalled to see the press not upholding the highest principals of freedom and democracy. Politicians are as much human beings as everyone else and the same standards of democracy and freedom apply to them as well. It would do some good for politicians to learn a thing or two from Tharoor, it might make the nation wiser as a whole. You talk of austerity? Yet India has some of the most corrupt politicians in the world with Swiss/ Cayman Island bank accounts in the tens if not hundreds and thousands. Why not expose the true charlatans instead of picking on a fine man like Tharoor for staying in a hotel using his own funds. Give the guy a break! He is one of the few individuals that makes India look good in public forums. If you lose him it will be a great loss as a whole to the nation. Will you get a sense of humor? Or is it going to be the same old slanderous talk to win cheap political points. Remember this, what the world perceives you to be is what you are. So it's time to change perception! It's time to take action.
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