"Lemons to protect Rafale" part of Indian culture: Nirmala Sitharaman
Pune, Oct 11: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday defended her cabinet colleague Rajnath Singh performing 'puja' of a Rafale jet by placing lemons under its wheels and coconut on the top, and said the action was not superstition but a part of Indian culture.
Pictures of Singh receiving the first Rafale jet in France had shown him drawing an "Om" sign in devnagri script on the cutting edge plane and also placing lemons under the wheels.
"So what is wrong? We strongly believe that you need to have the strength to be able to take such decisions and benefit the country," she said.
"You may not approve of it, you may think oh this is superstition, never mind. vishwas jinka hai woh karte hain, iss desh mein usko mahatva hai (those who have faith, they do it) and I think he (Singh) did everything right," Sitharaman told reporters in Pune.
She also linked Singh's act to Indian culture, saying every person in India does this in some form or the other.
Sitharaman said the previous defence minister and his wife launched Navy ships as per rituals followed in their faith.
"At that time in India, how many of us worried about superstition? Were we worried?" the minister said.
Sitharaman also justified Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in a viral video, where he is seen taking a dig at those indulging in superstition.
An old Modi speech, ridiculing "nimbu-mirchi" superstition, was widely shared on Twitter after the Rafale 'puja'.
In the video clip of Modis address at the inauguration of Delhi Metros Magenta line in August 2017, the Prime Minister is heard saying: "Apne car ke upar nimbu-mirchi aur pata nahi kya kya...Yeh log desh ko kya prerna denge? Aisee andh shraddha mein jeene wale log sarwajanik jiwan ka bahut ahit karte hain. (On their car, they place lemons, chilli and what not..How will such people inspire the country? People living with such blind beliefs cause lot of harm to public life)." Modi had spoken of a chief minister putting "nimbu and mirchi" on his new car, but not named the minister.
Twitterati had shared the clip of Modis speech alongside photographs of nimbu under the wheels of the Rafale fighter jet that Singh had "worshipped" in France.
Sitharaman said Modi is also correct (in his views on belief and superstition) and added that the government has not "abandoned" science or scientific development.
Countering the Opposition's claim that the BJP is using abrogation of Article 370 to deflect attention from issues like lack of jobs or growth, Sitharaman said she is "worried" at such comments.
She said the government is committed to reforms and it is a "responsive" government which is not yet done with its measures to prop-up economic growth.
If the auto industry feels that consumer demand has not been revived, and needs something specific, it can always talk to the government, she said.
On the International Monetary Fund flagging a "more pronounced" slowdown in India, she said the government always takes the IMF's commentary seriously.
To a query on transmission of rates, Sitharaman said she will take up the issue during her meeting with chiefs of state-run banks on Monday.
After the IRCTC IPO's success, the government will move ahead on all the other divestment proposals cleared by the Union cabinet, she said.
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'Hats off to Captain Rohit Sharma': Cong's Shama Mohamed hails Champions Trophy win
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI): Congress leader Shama Mohamed, whose online posts fat-shaming Indian captain Rohit Sharma sparked a major row last week, hailed Sharma on Sunday for leading from the front in the Champions Trophy final and congratulated the team on their triumph in the tournament.
Sharma made an excellent half-century as a resolute India held their nerve to win an unprecedented third Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final in Dubai.
In a post on X, Mohamed said, "Congratulations to Team India for their stupendous performance in winning the Champions Trophy 2025!"
"Hats off to Captain @ImRo45 who led from the front with a brilliant 76, setting the tone for victory. Shreyas Iyer and K L Rahul played crucial knocks, steering India to glory! A triumph to remember!" she said.
Bowling first after Rohit lost his 12th straight toss, India's spinners restricted New Zealand to 251 for seven in the allotted 50 overs, with Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45) making significant contributions with the ball.
India completed the chase of 252 with six balls to spare after Rohit (76 off 83 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62 balls) shone with the bat.
Congress spokesperson Mohamed's posts fat-shaming Sharma had sparked a major row last Monday, riling millions of cricket fans and drawing flak from various quarters including her own party and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya who slammed them as "deeply shameful".
BJP leaders attacked Mohamed and the Congress after she targeted the Indian cricket captain, with the ruling party's social media head Amit Malviya alleging that it was a "premeditated put down to undermine the team's morale at a crucial time".
Distancing itself from Mohamed's remarks on Sharma, the Congress had asserted that Mohamed's remarks about the cricketing legend do not reflect the party's position and asked her to exercise greater caution in future.
"The Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy," Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera had said.
She has been asked to delete the social media posts from X, he had said.
Mohamed had said these were her personal remarks and that an issue had been made out unnecessarily. She also said that she is proud of Sharma but was only talking about his fitness.
Congratulations to #TeamIndia for their stupendous performance in winning the #ChampionsTrophy2025! 🇮🇳🏆
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) March 9, 2025
Hats off to Captain @ImRo45 who led from the front with a brilliant 76, setting the tone for victory. @ShreyasIyer15 and @klrahul played crucial knocks, steering India to…
