External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is known for her prompt responses on Twitter, often directing those in distress to help and redressal. Her activity on social media is what many would say keeps her approachable despite her stature and she has also been lauded for the same.
However, it appears that not everyone thinks Sushma Swaraj's, er, prompt tweeting is a good thing.
Author and columnist Shobhaa De, who stirred controversy last year for tweeting about the Indian athletes who went to Rio Olympics, said on Saturday that Sushma Swaraj's resolution for 2017 should be to "keep calm and stop tweeting".
Sushma Swaraj : Resolution for 2017 - Keep calm and stop tweeting.
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) January 13, 2017
The tweet did not go down well with fellow Twitterati slamming De for her remark.
While some retorted to her humorously, others made references to the Rio controversy and asked her to keep her opinions to herself.
.@DeShobhaa : Resolution For 2017 - Tweet Aisa Karo Jo Shobhaa De. ;)https://t.co/Jr0YyXM4Kw
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) January 13, 2017
@DeShobhaa haha even Rakhi sawant sounds better then you.
— shweta jhalani (@shwetajhalani) January 13, 2017
She is just incredible Foreign Minister we ever had. Do respect her.
@DeShobhaa Shobha De : Resolution for 2017-Keep calm and stop your "Shobha-isms"(dictionary meaning-creating controversy to willingly invite criticism)
— Monica Jasuja (@jasuja) January 14, 2017
.@DeShobhaa Resolution for 2017 for Shobhaa De - pic.twitter.com/G2jp4HI3fG
— Rosy (@rose_k01) January 13, 2017
As you grow old, people become senile. @DeShobhaa is a perfect example.
— Suresh Kochattil (@kochattil) January 13, 2017
@DeShobhaa I really dont understand why u have problem with Shushma Swaraj? Let her express share support talk help anyone and anybody
— Mayurii_Shetty (@Mayurii_Shetty) January 13, 2017
@DeShobhaa Those tweets help the Indians abroad who are stuck and need help. Your tweets add no value to the society Shobhaaji
— SAGAR VORA (@sagarvora411) January 13, 2017
Some even suggested that De had made the remark because she wanted to "stay in the news".
@DeShobhaa sometimes i wonder if you really are an idiot or you just tweet dumb stuff to stay in news. This has been bothering me for ages
— Dhruv Dube (@Dhruvdube) January 13, 2017
@Dhruvdube @DeShobhaa I think she is doing it purposely Else she would have '@'Sushma Swaraj but she doesn't have the guts to do so.
— Shraddha (@shraddhacv) January 13, 2017
Shobhaa De had faced flak in August 2016 when she tweeted: "Goal of Team India at Olympics: Rio jao. Selfies lo. Khaali haat wapas aao. What a waste of money and opportunity." (Goal of Team India at Olympics: Go to Rio. Click selfies. Come back empty handed. What a waste of money and opportunity.)
Later, she said on a debate for a news channel that the controversial tweet was sent out in a sense of panic when it seemed like Team India would actually come back empty handed from Rio. "I’m a sentimental person. When I tweet, I don’t calculate…Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don’t. This time obviously it backfired," she said.