A supporter of the AIADMK wants to present US President Barack Obama with 'George Washington flip-flop' to 'avenge' the insult heaped on Mahatma Gandhi by an American beer manufacturer.
K Ramasubramanian, a former BJP activist who unsuccessfully fought the 2014 general elections and has now shifted to AIADMK as an ordinary member, wants to act against the Connecticut-based brewer which launched Gandhi-Bot beer, naming it after the Mahatma. The beer containers have the image of the father of the nation printed on them.
Washington was the first president and one of the founding fathers of the United States.
Ramasubramanian also plans to gift other key US leaders, governors of 50 American states and the owners of the New England Brewing Company with the flip-flops that he said he will send by courier.
"It is my individual effort as a concerned citizen of the country," he told Hindustan Times over phone from Coimbatore, some 500 km southwest of Chennai.
A Kerala-based company will manufacture the 100 pairs.
"I am prepared to face any consequence due to my action," he said.
Ramasubramanian also added that he intends to display one of the flip-flops near the US embassy when Obama comes calling as a special guest at the Republic Day parade.
His colleagues would be seeking the permission of Delhi Police commissioner for the same, he said.
{{/usCountry}}His colleagues would be seeking the permission of Delhi Police commissioner for the same, he said.
{{/usCountry}}"If I fail to get permission, we would show the prototype near the US consulate in Chennai," said Ramasubramanian, who earlier was also associated with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party.
A senior AIADMK leader condemned the "extremely bad idea that was in very bad taste."
The New England Brewing Company had apologised for its act and even claimed that its intention was to pay homage and celebrate the apostle of peace. It also said that Gandhi's granddaughter and grandson have expressed their admiration for the label.