Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has courted controversy after backing a social media post that criticised Indians celebrating Diwali abroad. The MP’s action drew sharp reactions from netizens and political opponents, prompting her to clarify the matter later.
Controversial post and netizen backlash
The post on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “Just like that, we’ve let braindead fucking Indians turn our beautiful Western countries into total shitholes with their retarded Diwali garbage that has zero to do with us.” Mahua Moitra had responded with “I agree”, which ignited widespread criticism.
Several social media users accused Moitra of insulting Indians celebrating the festival. One user wrote, “She agreed with an insult to every Indian celebrating Diwali. The same MP who stays silent on Bengal’s chaos suddenly finds her voice when it’s about mocking India. She doesn’t represent West Bengal, she represents self-loathing in Parliament.”
Other users criticised her record in Parliament, claiming her actions reflect a disregard for Indian culture. One post read, “Mahua Moitra siding with an anti-India rant against Diwali isn’t shocking — it’s expected. The same MP who sold her Parliament login for cash is now selling out her own culture for applause from the West.”
Mahua Moitra issues clarification
Responding to the criticism, Moitra stated on X, “Just clarifying my Twitter feed was showing a lot of videos and I meant to say ‘I agree’ to a video just below the racist one by some Nate. My mistake. Travelling & didn’t check till now. Thanks @RShivshankar for calling me out but it was a genuine mistake. Sorry trolls.”
BJP slams Moitra, accuses her of anti-India stance
The BJP’s West Bengal unit reacted sharply to the incident, claiming Moitra had a history of compromising national interests and denigrating Indian culture. In a post, the party stated, “This is the same Mahua Moitra who believes Bangladesh is better than India and has compromised national security in exchange for luxury handbags. MPs from the Trinamool party consider Kashmir, an inseparable part of India, as ‘Azad Kashmir.’ Under their rule in West Bengal, atrocities are committed against women and children performing Diwali rituals. This is the same MP who once described Goddess Kali as a ‘goddess of meat and liquor.’”
The BJP called the MP’s endorsement of the post an affront to Indian culture and claimed it reflected broader issues within the Trinamool Congress leadership.
Conclusion
The controversy highlights the political sensitivity surrounding public commentary on cultural celebrations. While Mahua Moitra claims her endorsement was a mistake, the episode has fuelled criticism from both netizens and rival political parties, underscoring how digital platforms can quickly escalate political controversies.