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Gen VK Singh calls media presstitutes
Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (Retd) VK Singh sparked a new controversy on Wednesday after he described the media as \'presstitutes\' , even as the BJP distanced itself from the controversial tweet of the Union minister. The comment made on Twitter followed a press conference in Djibouti, where the Union minister said that visiting the Pakistani High Commission was more exciting than conducting rescue operations in Yemen.
New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (Retd) VK Singh sparked a new controversy on Wednesday after he described the media as 'presstitutes' , even as the BJP distanced itself from the controversial tweet of the Union minister. The comment made on Twitter followed a press conference in Djibouti, where the Union minister said that visiting the Pakistani High Commission was more exciting than conducting rescue operations in Yemen. Singh is camping in the African country to supervise the evacuation of Indians from Yemen.
As Twitter began to outrage over his remarks, the Union minister tweeted, "Friends, what do you expect from presstitutes."The remark aimed at the press was perhaps triggered by the criticism that followed him attending the Pakistan Day celebrations in New Delhi last month.The Opposition Congress called his comments "deplorable" and showed his "insensitivity".
"It is very unfortunate that a minister is using abusive language media or against anyone. He is holding a very important position. It is for Narendra Modi to take a call on this," party spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said. Last month, Singh had raked up another row by tweeting '#DISGUST' after attending the Pakistan Day celebrations in the national capital as the government's representative.
BJP distances itself from VK tweet
The BJP on Wednesday distanced itself from the controversial tweet of the Union minister. "Twitter is a personal platform and not a party platform and the meaning of the tweet can best be deciphered by the person concerned," said BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra.
The minister’s comment has drawn flak from the Broadcast Editors' Association, who condemned him for making the statement. "We condemn it, I am surprised that a member of Union council could comment like this. BEA severally criticise this. This type of tweets deteriorate the image of government," said BEA's general secretary NK Singh.
