The Government on Monday apologised for BJP leader Ram Madhav’s criticism of vice-president Hamid Ansari’s absence at the Yoga Day celebrations on Rajpath, amid the Congress’s accusation that the ruling party was playing divisive politics.
However, clarifying the Government’s stand, Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik — whose Ministry organised the event on Sunday — said when the Prime Minister is chief guest at a programme, the President or the Vice-President cannot be invited as per protocol as the two are above the PM in order of precedence. He, however, apologised for the row.
“Unknowingly something happened, we apologise for that. It should have been avoided. It’s a mistake, he (Madhav) agrees, he apologised. He withdrew his statement,” Naik said when asked to comment on Madhav’s controversial tweets.
About the warrant of precedence, Naik said, “When the Prime Minister is chief guest, then inviting the Vice-President is not proper. That is protocol. That’s why we did not send the invite to him. President and Vice-President are above the Prime Minister as per order of precedence and we cannot invite them accordingly.”
Asked about the controversy and the accusation he was “targeting” the Vice-President, Madhav said, “As far as the tweet is concerned, it was withdrawn and the matter is closed there and ends there.”
The V-P’s Office said the matter is closed for them as Naik’s statement “seems logical”.
The Congress, however, accused the BJP of playing “divisive politics” by targeting Ansari and demanded that Madhav tender an apology. The NCP wondered whether the vice president was excluded because of his religion.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that with such statements, like that of Madhav, the Government is using yoga to polarise the country. “The V-P has been targeted on International Yoga Day. While yoga is all inclusive, BJP has showed its divisive politics by such an action. The Government and Ram Madhav should apologise,” said leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad. AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmad said Madhav’s statement was unfortunate.
“Is it because he is MuslimIJ The Government and the PM must answer how a vice president was not invited. It is a serious omission,” said NCP leader Majid Memon.