Smriti Irani hits out at Shashi Tharoor for his ‘maharaja’ remark amid Padmavati row

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor reportedly said the ‘so-called valourous maharajas’ had scurried to accommodate themselves when the British ‘trampled’ over their honour and were now after a filmmaker, claiming that prestige was at stake.

Union minister Smriti Irani took a jibe at Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for his reported ‘maharaja’ comments amidst a row over period drama Padmavati.

Union minister Smriti Irani tweeted, ‘Did all the Maharajs (kings) kneel in front of the British? What will Jyotiraditya Scindia, Diggi Raja (Digvijaya Singh) and Amarinder Singh say on Shashi Tharoor’s comments?’ (HT File Photo)

Tharoor reportedly said on Thursday the “so called valourous maharajas” had scurried to accommodate themselves when the British “trampled” over their honour and were now after a filmmaker, claiming that prestige was at stake.

Reacting to Tharoor’s remarks, Irani tweeted, “Did all the Maharajs (kings) kneel in front of the British? What will Jyotiraditya Scindia, Diggi Raja (Digvijaya Singh) and Amarinder Singh say on Shashi Tharoor’s comments?”

Tharoor on Thursday had tweeted, “I’m dismayed that some BJP supporters are claiming I attacked Rajput honour...I spoke about the Maharajahs who made their accommodations w/the (with the) British. I have never made a communal comment in my life.”

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday lashed out at Tharoor over the ‘maharaja’ comment. Scindia was quoted as saying, “I think he (Shashi Tharoor) should study history, I am Jyotiraditya Scindia and I am proud of my past”.

Tharoor said people’s sentiments must be respected in the interest of India’s diversity and harmony. “Rajput valour is part of our history and is not in question. BJP and its censors should take these concerns into account,” he said.