Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Monday night demanded action from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief J.P. Nadda against Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb for making controversial comments.
Surjewala embedded a video of Deb speaking to an audience and referring to stereotypes of Jats, Sikhs and Bengalis. Deb made the comments at an event at the press club in Agartala on Sunday.
शर्मनाक व दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण!
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 20, 2020
भाजपा के मुख्यमंत्री, त्रिपुरा,बिप्लब देव ने पंजाब के सिख भाइयों व हरियाणा के जाट समाज को अपमानित कर उनका “दिमाग़ कम” बताया
ये भाजपा की औछी मानसिकता है।
खट्टरजी व दुष्यंत चौटाला चुप्प क्यों हैं?
मोदी जी और नड्डाजी कहाँ हैं?
माफ़ी माँगे, कार्यवाही करें pic.twitter.com/whI8QOyKVk
Deb told the audience in Bengali that "When we talk about the people of Punjab, we say he's a Punjabi, a Sardar. They may have less intelligence but are very strong. One can't win them over by strength but with love and affection. A large number of Jats live in Haryana. So, what do people say about Jats? Jats are less intelligent, but are very healthy. If one challenges a Jat, he will bring a gun from his house.”
Referring to Bengalis, Deb declared, “For Bengal or Bengalis, it is said that one should not challenge them when it is regarding intelligence. Bengalis are known as very intelligent and it is their identity.”
Surjewala tweeted the comments by Biplab Deb were "shameful and unfortunate", alleging, "Biplab Deb had insulted the Sikh brethren of Punjab and Jat community of Haryana, by calling them low minded."
Surjewala declared "This is the right mindset of the BJP. Why are Khattarji [Haryana chief minister] and Dushyant Chautala [Haryana deputy chief minister] silent? Where are Modiji and Naddaji? Apologise, take action."
Deb has had a penchant for making controversial utterances. Soon after assuming office as the first BJP chief minister of Tripura, Deb had claimed internet and satellite television existed in the time of the Mahabharat. He had questioned the crowning of Diana Hayden as ‘Miss World’ in 1997, claiming she did not represent “Indian beauty” and lacked the traits of goddesses Saraswati or Lakshmi.
He claimed last year that Mughals intended to destroy the cultural wonders of Tripura by "bombing" its art and architecture.
(With inputs from PTI)
