It is Wrong: Rajnath Singh Condemns Trolls Against Sushma Swaraj

In a tweet, the Congress condemned the hateful and abusive language used by people against Swaraj online.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was recently subjected to online trolling and hateful tweets over the Tanvi Seth passport issue. Swaraj, who was on an official four-nation tour from 17 June to 23 June, responded to the messages by “liking” them on Sunday, 24 June.

While the Opposition party, Indian National Congress, has condemned the trolling by Twitter users against Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the only member of the Bharatiya Janata Party to have spoken out in support of his colleague.

The trolling of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is wrong, Singh told reporters in New Delhi, on 2 July, when asked to comment on the issue. According to News18, Singh also reached out to Sushma Swaraj to express his concerns.

‘Nothing Calls for Threats of Violence’: Congress

In a tweet, the Congress showed its support to Swaraj and said that “nothing calls for threats of violence”.

While a few Congress leaders like Sanjay Jha and Sanjay Nirupam have supported Swaraj, none of the BJP ministers have yet spoken on the matter.

In a strongly worded tweet, another Congress parliamentarian Jyotiraditya Scindia also lent his support to Swaraj, condemning the hateful and vicious abuse directed at her.

‘Absolutely Outrageous!’: PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, weeks after the BJP withdrew its support to the PDP-led government in the state, called the vicious trolling of Swaraj "absolutely outrageous".

Mufti also questioned that if even the minister of external affairs wasn't spared, was there any hope for other women?

Incident in Question

Lucknow couple Tanvi Seth and Mohammad Anas Siddiqui had alleged that they were humiliated by a passport officer in Lucknow for their interfaith marriage. However, the narrative of the matter changed after the passport officer, Vikas Mishra, refuted the claim saying he had asked Seth for her documents as the name on her marriage certificate was different.

Swaraj is now being criticised online for her “silence” over the transfer of Mishra, the passport officer, accused by the Lucknow couple for harassing them.