Amidst an ongoing spat with Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanaswamy, a tweet from Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has sparked outrage across social media with accusations of racism and discrimination being hurled at her.
In a long-running turf war with Kiran Bedi over Puducherry's administration, V Narayanaswamy and his cabinet colleagues have continued their sit-in protest outside Raj Nivas since last Wednesday. The Chief Minister has also accused Kiran of running a parallel government, which has disrupted the existing mechanism. The dharna has garnered support from political leaders across the country, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and DMK leader MK Stalin. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flew down to Puducherry on Monday to express his solidarity with Narayanaswamy’s cause.
As the latest face off continues, a tweet from Kiran Bedi’s personal Twitter account has ignited fresh controversy on social media. On Monday, Kiran Bedi tweeted a picture showing two crows sitting on a branch of a tree, with one crow extending its wing. “Yoga is Universal…,” read the tweet.
Yoga is Universal... pic.twitter.com/5f1T6BWTsH
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) 18 February 2019
In a second tweet, an hour after the first one, she posted the same picture and wrote, “A member of the media asked me an interesting question. “ Is Dharna also Yoga”?
I said, “Yes it is. It depends on the purpose for which u sit...what kind of ‘Asanas’ you perform and the ‘sound’ u create?....”
A member of the media asked me an interesting question.
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) 18 February 2019
“ Is Dharna also Yoga”?
I said, “Yes it is. It depends on the purpose for which u sit...what kind of ‘Asanas’ you perform and the ‘sound’ u create? “.... pic.twitter.com/7EScMiDWKE
The second tweet caused an onslaught of criticism. Twitter users have slammed Kiran Bedi for appearing to mock the dark skin tone of V Narayanaswamy through her tweet. Many have condemned the tweet and are urging her to apologise.
DMK MP Kanimozhi also took to Twitter to voice her disappointment over Kiran Bedi’s tweet. “@thekiranbedi must apologise for her arrogant,racist comment on @CMPuducherry.Her Klansman colors are coming out,” she posted.
@thekiranbedi must apologise for her arrogant,racist comment on @CMPuducherry.Her Klansman colors are coming out.
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) February 18, 2019
புதுவை முதல்வர் குறித்து, ஆளுனர் கிரண்பேடியின் ஆணவ கீச்சுக்கு, அவர் மன்னிப்பு கேட்க வேண்டும். கிரண் பேடியின் சாயம் வெளுத்து ஆதிக்க வெறியின் முகம் வெளிப்பட்டுள்ளது
In a third tweet, Kiran Bedi appeared to backtrack as she posted a photo of a cat squirming on the ground. “As I said yoga is Universal. This morning was the crow in the balcony. Earlier it was the cat on the mat. Daily Yoga at RajNivas.”
As I said yoga is Universal. This morning was the crow in the balcony. Earlier it was the cat on the mat.
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) 18 February 2019
Daily Yoga at RajNivas. pic.twitter.com/QF3M5EYuUn
But the criticism of Kiran continued on Twitter.
I have came across Ur name in my 6th std GK question. Who is the first IPS officer in India?
— Muhilan K (@muhilan_Clouds) 18 February 2019
I felt proud of you then and now didn't expect this disgusting tweet.
Nothing but sarcastic racism.
Still you are the role model for many. Pls maintain it @thekiranbedi #Kiranbedi https://t.co/OnSRLtYorY
#KiranBedi @thekiranbedi says indirectly @VNarayanasami as black crow. She was meaning all south indians as black crow .r u supporting this @DrTamilisaiBJP @nsitharaman @K_T_L @divyaspandana @MKumaramangalam
— v.sudhakar (@sudhakarvenkat) 18 February 2019
Racism .. Comparing @VNarayanasami with Crow shows your character madam. Black is just not a colour. it is a part of dravidian moment. @thekiranbedi pic.twitter.com/jzlbCxOQTr
— Harish (@chnharish) 18 February 2019
Discrimination at its peak!! #Racism
— Rathish M Saravanan (@dearrathish) 18 February 2019
If this is how Lt Governor @thekiranbedi comment on elected representative of the state. Then Pondicherry people must say#GoBackKiranBedi
How racist is that?? Only the lowliest of the creatures resort to these sort of remarks.. #Racism #NorthIndiaRacists @vikatan @RahulGandhi @IndiaToday @ndtv @ArvindKejriwal @ThanthiTV @TamilTheHindu #Pondy
— Prasanna (@madurai_tamilan) 18 February 2019