Social Media Slams PM Modi for Veiled Remark Calling Sonia ‘Widow’

The remark has sparked belated outrage with the Congress terming it “disgraceful, pathetic and sexist.”

Addressing a rally in Rajasthan on 4 December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an indirect attack against UPA chairperson and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi referring to her as a “widow”.

The remark has sparked belated outrage with the Congress and other people on social media terming it “disgraceful, pathetic and sexist.”

“You can imagine, the kind of government the Congress ran. Widow pension was started for a girl child who was not even born. But, who was the Congress widow who used to take away this money? Who was that Congress’s widow in whose account this money went to,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister was alleging the Congress swindled money in the name of widow pension.

“Vidhwa Comment Blot on PM’s Chair”

The Congress was quick to slam the prime minister’s remark, soon after the video went viral on Sunday, 10 December. While senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah called his comment “insensitive and blot on the chair” of prime minister, Sanjay Jha termed the ‘vidhwa’ comment disgusting.

New low by @narendramodi. His insensitive comments on opposition leaders are a blot on the chair of PM. There are many things that he has to learn from Mr. Manmohan Singh. He has insulted the whole women fraternity in his urge to target opposition.https://t.co/4rQm645URq

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 8, 2018

The widow comment is disgraceful. Pathetic. Sexist. Shameful. https://t.co/ZBZux1KqQB

— Sushmita Dev (@sushmitadevmp) December 9, 2018

A vicious vitriolic attack on Mrs Sonia Gandhi manifests his attitude towards women. The “‘Vidhwa” ( widowed women) comment was disgusting. If you agree, then say so. #ModiInsultsWomen

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) December 10, 2018

“No PM Has Stooped to This Level,” Reacts Twitter

People on Twitter joined the Congress party in criticising the prime minister for his comment. From claiming that no other prime minister has stooped to this level, to expressing their bafflement, people took to Twitter to slam PM Modi.

Ye Congress ki kaun si Vidhva hai jis ke khate me paisa jata tha. (Who was this widow in the Congress whose account this money used to be transferred?) -- Narendra Modi, PM of India, referring to #SoniaGandhi.

No PM of the country has stopped to this level. No PM. #NayaBharat

— Stanly Johny (@johnstanly) December 9, 2018

I am baffled at How the man at the Zenith of Indian Politics is dragging his counterpart with such couth language.

Being widow is a not privilege Mr Modi @narendramodi@BJP4India@sardesairajdeep@BDUTT@Swamy39@INCIndia@RahulGandhi@rahulkanwal#ModiInsultsWomen

— Archansays (@archis_arch) December 10, 2018

Its really saddening and shocking! that a hypocritical party BJP keeps on giving the rhetorics and empty slogans on women empowerment gives objectionable statements on women and insults Vidhwa(Widowed women) by Modiji Disgusting! #ModiInsultsWomen

— Geeta Saini (@exhortofgeeta) December 10, 2018

People on Twitter also called the prime minister’s ‘vidhwa’ comment an insult to all the citizens of the country.

Also can we stop saying Modi’s mom is a widow. It is not a competition to degrade more women.

— Prabha (@deepsealioness) December 9, 2018

Only a dishonorable man insults a woman. Having such a man occupy the PMs office is an insult to the Indian citizens. #ModiInsultsWomen

— Lekha Nair (@lekhaNnair) December 10, 2018