Nagaland CM, Naga Hoho seek apology from Tharoor
New Delhi/Kohima, Aug 7 : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday demanded an apology from Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for remarking that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wore "outlandish" and "hilarious" Naga headgears but refused to wear a Muslim skull cap.
"We (Nagas) have rich heritage and vibrant culture. We are proud of our history and traditions. The Naga headgear is renowned and gifted with honour, definitely not outlandish," Rio told IANS before his meeting with Modi.
"Every Indian is proud of the rich diversity. This diversity is our pride and our strength and mutual respect makes India a great nation," the Naga leader said.
"He (Tharoor) must aplogize and withdrew statements that hurt others' sentiments," Rio added.
The Naga Hoho, an apex Naga tribal body, also demanded an unconditional apology to the Naga people from Tharoor for what it said an abuse of Modi for wearing Naga headgear. Tharoor's comments, he said, were "inexcusable from a person of such a stature".
"His statement, though meant to be humorous, showed the 'contemptuous mentality' of some of the mainstream Indians towards the Northeast and in particular the Nagas," Naga Hoho President P. Chuba Ozukum said.
"Even in the past, Congress leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had worn Naga headgears and traditional dresses, keeping in mind that India was a democratic secular country, but no political party or individual showed such 'disregard and impudence' as that of Tharoor," he added.
The Naga Hoho also appealed to Congress leaders from Nagaland to find out the details and contact the persons and authority concerned towards resolving the controversial statement amicably on this pertinent issue.
Addressing a seminar, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said: "Why does our Prime Minister, who wears all sorts of outlandish headgears wherever he goes around the country and around the world, but always refuses to wear a Muslim skull cap?
"You see him in hilarious Naga headgears and feathers. You see him in various kinds of extraordinary outfits, which is a right thing for a Prime Minister to do. India Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes. But why he still always says no to one?
"Why does he refuse to wear green, the colour that he says is identified with Muslim appeasement? What kind of talk it is?" Tharoor said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ethanol plant GM, junior shot dead in UP's Budaun; blacklisted vendor suspect
Budaun (UP) (PTI): Two officials of an ethanol plant were shot dead on Thursday, allegedly by a blacklisted vendor, officials said.
The killings took place at a plant of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in Sejni village under the Musajhag Police Station area, they said.
Plant's general manager, Sudhir Kumar Gupta, and assistant general manager, Harshit Mishra, were shot dead in the attack.
District Magistrate Avnish Rai said the alleged shooter, Ajay Pratap Singh alias Ramu, a local, was once a vendor at the plant.
Sources said Gupta had recently terminated some employees and blacklisted vendors whose work was not satisfactory. Singh was among those removed.
Since the termination, Singh had been upset with the general manager and had threatened him several times, they said.
He once attacked Gupta's car, following which a case was registered against him at Dataganj Kotwali Police Station.
According to preliminary information, Singh came to the factory around 2 pm on Thursday and managed to cross the security gate before entering a conference room where Gupta was present.
He allegedly opened fire at him, and when Mishra intervened, he fired at him also. Both died on the spot, officials said.
