Union minister Kiren Rijiju apologised on Saturday after allegations that customers were made to wait outside a shop that the leader visited to buy spectacles.
Responding to a flurry of tweets, Rijiju said he was told that the shop, apparently in New Delhi’s Khan Market, could not accommodate “multiple” customers since it was small.
“Customers wait while Minister @KirenRijiju buys a pair of glasses,” journalist Anubha Bhonsle (@anubhabhonsle) tweeted along with a photograph, tagging the junior home minister.
To this, Rijiju replied: “Pls verify. I’ll never do it. I’m told the shop owner stopped because it’s a small shop which can’t fit in multiple customer.”
{{/usCountry}}To this, Rijiju replied: “Pls verify. I’ll never do it. I’m told the shop owner stopped because it’s a small shop which can’t fit in multiple customer.”
{{/usCountry}}Shortly after this, the minister tweeted again: “I make sure to sensitise security people. In fact I rarely go out. It’s an aberration due to shop owner’s tips. Anyway, I’m sorry for it.”
Later, the minister clarified:
And not all were critical of the minister after that.
“Gracious and graceful @KirenRijiju! You’ve gone a notch up in the public eye,” said Navdeep Singh (@SinghNavdeep).