Ranchi, April 25 : The Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand, Babulal Marandi, has sharply criticized the statement made by Tourism Minister Sudivya Sonu regarding the recent Pahalgam attack. Marandi described Sonu’s remarks as “sarcasm” and condemned them as “vulgar” and “shameful,” claiming the statement caused the people of Jharkhand to “bow their heads in shame.”
In a post on his social media platform, Marandi expressed his dismay, stating, “This sarcasm of Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Sonu shows the arrogance filled inside him. This vulgarity of a minister at such a time is shameful, and no amount of condemnation of his conduct is enough.” Marandi further expressed his disappointment, noting that he had previously thought of Sonu as a serious individual.
Sonu, in a statement to the media, had wrongly stated that Pahalgam was located in Himachal Pradesh. In light of this, he demanded the resignation of Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, citing the attack’s failure to be prevented. However, Sonu’s geographical mistake was widely ridiculed, and public backlash quickly followed.
Marandi also drew attention to the nature of Sonu’s conduct, comparing it to a person’s true character being exposed when “intoxicated.” He remarked, “The true character of a person comes out when he is intoxicated, whether it is the intoxication of money, position, beauty, or alcohol.”
The statement from the Tourism Minister sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning his knowledge of the subject matter and urging him to refrain from making public statements on issues he was ill-informed about. Despite the criticism, Sonu has yet to respond publicly to Marandi’s remarks.
This incident comes amidst national and international shock over the Pahalgam attack, which left many in distress. Public figures across the political spectrum have condemned the attack, urging leaders to focus on the gravity of the situation rather than making controversial and misinformed statements.
