As expected, Union Minister General VK Singh’s insensitive comments on making light of the gruesome murder of two dalit children in Haryana has caused a huge social media outrage.
The former army chief, through his comments, reportedly implied that the burning of dalit kids in Haryana was as small an incident as hitting a dog with stones.
“Agar koi kutte ko patthar maar de to sarkaar zimmedaar nahi hai (government can’t be responsible if someone hits a dog with stones),” he was quoted by several TV channels.
VK Singh was commenting in response to a question on the burning alive of two dalit kids in Haryana’s Ballabhgarh district last Tuesday.
Within hours of his comments being reported by media, #VKSingh began to trend on twitter with twitter users registering their outrage on what many felt was ‘disgusting comments by a senior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet.
Senior journalist, Sanjay Pugalia, tweeted;
Apologies Bhaktjano! But #VKSingh remarks are disgusting. I have seen the video. He is embarrassing our beloved @narendramodi
— Sanjay Pugalia (@sanjaypugalia) October 22, 2015
Famous TV personality Raghu Ram said ‘nothing better could be expected from these insensitive humans.’
https://twitter.com/tweetfromRaghu/status/657076987073204224
Journalist Shiv Aroor’s quirky tweet said that it was a ‘dog-loving’ government at the centre.
Modi: Kutte ka baccha agar tyre ke neeche…
VK: Kutte ko koi patthar mare…
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Dog-loving government.— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) October 22, 2015
Music director, Vishal Dadlani, said;
He betrayed our veterans over #OROP. He also has no thought or control over what he says. Perfect Modi minister. https://t.co/aOViTfHIEl
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) October 22, 2015
Former Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav demanded an immediate apology from the General.
V K Singh adds insult to injury. Must apologise forthwith or be sacked.https://t.co/PySGCYCJgY
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) October 22, 2015
Journalist Man Aman Chhina sarcastically wondered if the minister quote was inspired from his ‘master’ Modi’s puppy remarks that he had made in his defence on Gujarat riots.
So Gen VK Singh (retd) has outdone his master's puppy remark by coming up with a dog comment.
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) October 22, 2015
Omar Abdullah’s tweet said, “I’m speechless.”
Congress supporter Tehseen Poonwalla urged fellow social media users to demand the sacking of the union minister.
If Social Media does not outrage today on VK Singh & ask @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji to #SackVKSingh then it shows violence is acceptable.
— Tehseen Poonawalla (@tehseenp) October 22, 2015
‘Election Junkie’ Arun Giri felt that this statement by Singh had ensured BJP’s defeat in Bihar.
VK Singh seems to have driven last decisive nail in coffin for BJP Bihar campaign.. couldnt have come at worse time for BJP
— arun giri (@arungiri) October 22, 2015
Lawyer Sanjay Hegde quoted a poem by celebrated Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz to take a dig at the former army chief’s controversial comments.
. @Gen_VKSingh may do well to read Kutte by Faiz Ahmed Faiz pic.twitter.com/swiJuMw6t0
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) October 22, 2015
Journalist Mohammad Ali’s tweet read:
Here comes the gem! Extremely insensitive &disturbing if he has actually said this! Needs clarification @Gen_VKSingh https://t.co/eWDX6M4MJ0
— Mohammad Ali (@hindureporter) October 22, 2015