Complaint filed against Sonia Gandhi over remark on President Murmu

Mangalore Today News Network

Muzaffarpur, Feb 2, 2025: A complaint has been filed against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in a court in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district over her "poor thing" remark about President Droupadi Murmu, alleging disrespect towards the country’s highest constitutional authority.

The complaint was lodged on Saturday by Sudhir Ojha, a lawyer based in Muzaffarpur, who also named Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as co-accused. Ojha has sought the registration of an FIR against them under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

"Sonia Gandhi has insulted President Murmu with her ’poor thing’ remark. It is a clear disrespect to the highest constitutional authority. Legal action should also be taken against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as they are complicit," Ojha said after filing the complaint before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court.

The court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for February 10.

The controversy arose after Sonia Gandhi’s comments following President Murmu’s joint address to Parliament ahead of the Budget session. Speaking to reporters outside the House, the former Congress chief was heard in video clips saying, "The President was getting very tired by the end... she could hardly speak, poor thing," in what seemed to be a reference to the length of the speech.

Rahul Gandhi, in another clip, described the speech as "boring," while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present during the remarks.

In response, Rashtrapati Bhavan issued a statement condemning the remark as "unacceptable" and clarifying that the President was not tired during the address. While the statement did not directly name Sonia Gandhi, it expressed disapproval of the comment.