It is Wrong: Rajnath Singh Condemns Trolls Against Sushma Swaraj

In a tweet, the Congress condemned the hateful and abusive language used by people against Swaraj online.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was recently subjected to online trolling and hateful tweets over the Tanvi Seth passport issue. Swaraj, who was on an official four-nation tour from 17 June to 23 June, responded to the messages by “liking” them on Sunday, 24 June.

While the Opposition party, Indian National Congress, has condemned the trolling by Twitter users against Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the only member of the Bharatiya Janata Party to have spoken out in support of his colleague.

The trolling of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is wrong, Singh told reporters in New Delhi, on 2 July, when asked to comment on the issue. According to News18, Singh also reached out to Sushma Swaraj to express his concerns.

‘Nothing Calls for Threats of Violence’: Congress

In a tweet, the Congress showed its support to Swaraj and said that “nothing calls for threats of violence”.

No matter the situation or reason, nothing calls for threats of violence, disrespect & abuse. @SushmaSwaraj ji, we applaud your decision to call out the heinous trolls of your own party.https://t.co/qcB0qemRGZ

— Congress (@INCIndia) June 24, 2018

While a few Congress leaders like Sanjay Jha and Sanjay Nirupam have supported Swaraj, none of the BJP ministers have yet spoken on the matter.

Dear @SushmaSwaraj Ji, I maybe a critic of your government and your policies, but strongly condemn the vituperative trolling you have been subjected to recently by some choleric characters . It is not on.

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) June 25, 2018

The abusive language used by #BJP IT cell workers on social media against @SushmaSwaraj should be condemned by one and all. And Prime Minister must take action against such cyber criminals if he really believes in protecting dignity of women.#SushmaExposesBJP

— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) June 25, 2018

In a strongly worded tweet, another Congress parliamentarian Jyotiraditya Scindia also lent his support to Swaraj, condemning the hateful and vicious abuse directed at her.

Strongly condemn the hateful and vicious abuse being directed at one of our seniormost Parliamentarians, @SushmaSwaraj ji. Such disrespectful comments should not be tolerated.

— Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) July 2, 2018

‘Absolutely Outrageous!’: PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, weeks after the BJP withdrew its support to the PDP-led government in the state, called the vicious trolling of Swaraj "absolutely outrageous".

Mufti also questioned that if even the minister of external affairs wasn't spared, was there any hope for other women?

Horrified by the vicious trolling @SushmaSwaraj ji has been subjected to . Absolutely outrageous! If our own Minister of External Affairs is not spared, what hope is there for any other woman?

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 1, 2018

Incident in Question

Lucknow couple Tanvi Seth and Mohammad Anas Siddiqui had alleged that they were humiliated by a passport officer in Lucknow for their interfaith marriage. However, the narrative of the matter changed after the passport officer, Vikas Mishra, refuted the claim saying he had asked Seth for her documents as the name on her marriage certificate was different.

Swaraj is now being criticised online for her “silence” over the transfer of Mishra, the passport officer, accused by the Lucknow couple for harassing them.