A group of Congress workers today staged a protest against Union Minister Giriraj Singh outside a residential complex where he lives, slamming the BJP leader's remarks against Sonia Gandhi.
Shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP and Singh, Congress workers gathered outside Vitthal Bhai Patel House complex. Singh had apparently left for Bengaluru last evening to attend BJP's National Executive meeting.
Soon, police swung into action and took away the banners from the protesters and foiled an attempt to burn Singh's effigy. The protesters were later bundled off in a police bus.
The minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises is under fire for his racist barb at Gandhi. He had kicked up a row on Tuesday by asking whether Congress would have accepted Sonia Gandhi's leadership had she not been white-skinned.
"Had Rajiv Gandhi married a Nigerian woman and if she was not a white-skinned woman, would the Congress have then accepted her (Sonia's) leadershipIJ" he had told journalists on Tuesday.
Giriraj clarified, matter ends, says BJP
IANS | New Delhi: The row over union Minister Giriraj Singh's remark on Congress president Sonia Gandhi's skin colour has ended as the minister has clarified, the BJP said on Thursday.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Ram Madhav told reporters: "Giriraj Singh has clarified about his comment, matter ends."
Singh, who has stoked controversy in the past as well, told reporters in Patna on Tuesday that he wondered if former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had married a woman who was not white-skinned, would the Congress have accepted her as its president.
"If Rajiv Gandhi had married a Nigerian and if she wasn't white-skinned, would the Congress accept her as a leader," he said.
Following the outrage triggered by his comment, Singh on Wednesday expressed regret and said his remarks were made during an off-the-record conversation.
"During off-the-record conversation, there is talk of different kinds. If Sonia ji or Rahul ji have been hurt by my remarks, I express regret," he said.
