Whoops! Sushma Ji, It’s Mahasweta Devi, Not Ashapurna Devi

She mentioned the names of two books that were not written by Mahasweta Devi, but by Ashapurna Devi.

Renowned writer, social activist and feminist Mahasweta Devi breathed her last on Thursday and several people, including political leaders, took to Twitter to express their condolences.

One of them was Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj.

The demise of Mahashweta Deviji is the end of a literary era. /1

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 28, 2016

Swaraj also tweeted about how Devi’s books left a “lasting impression” on her life, quoting two of her books.

Except, she quoted a different Devi.

Swaraj mentioned the names of two books, Pratham Pratishruti and Bakul Katha. Both these books were not written by Mahasweta Devi but by Ashapurna Devi.

Swaraj, who is otherwise hailed on social media as the queen of ‘homecoming’ for her prompt responses to calls of help, could not escape the backlash of wrongly attributing the accolades.

She, then, deleted the tweet.

Sorry Sushma ji, but the Twitter world never forgets, or forgives.

@SushmaSwaraj Those two books were written by Ashapurna Devi, NOT Mahasweta Devi, Ma'am. @MEAIndia

— Reshmi Dasgupta (@ReshmiDG) July 28, 2016

@SushmaSwaraj None of these are written by Mahasweta Devi. Confusing with Ashapurna Devi. Change ur script writer. Shame!

— Debasish chakraborty (@debuganashakti) July 28, 2016

Dear @SushmaSwaraj. Mahasweta Devi & Ashapunra Devi are Bengal's pride. Ignorance is not always a bliss.

— Aparna Bhattacharya (@chhuti_is) July 28, 2016

@SushmaSwaraj when u dint know what Mahasweta Devi hs written pls be mum..as ur wrong info defames such renowned personality....

— @kamalikasengupt (@kamalikasengup2) July 28, 2016

@onnightduty aha rey bechari @SushmaSwaraj, Ashapurna Devi ar Mahasweta Devi-r difference jane na .. #ROFLMAO

— Shuvankar Mukherjee (@shuvankr) July 28, 2016