In the light of the recent attacks on Africans in the country, External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, is trying desperately to control the damage. She has been sending out a series of tweets reassuring natives of various African countries.
In her latest attempt at creating an atmosphere of harmony and make them feel at home, she has made this appeal to Indians:
I appeal to fellow Indians. Next time you meet an African citizen, pl shake hand and say ‘India loves you’.
Pl RT— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) June 2, 2016
Wonder what Swaraj was expecting from this tweet, but the reactions are extremely critical. The comment section below the tweet, in fact, has become a war zone.
Some slammed her for using the word ‘African’ which itself has racist undertones, since Africa isn’t a country
.@SushmaSwaraj African citizen? Africa is not a country
— Sulabh Varshney (@sulabh_varshney) June 2, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj African citizen? googling for country ‘Africa’ now…
— D (@Datoism) June 2, 2016
.@SushmaSwaraj Pl understand the difference between an African and a dark Indian before you do that. https://t.co/xv2jWSmgLQ
— Shilpa Shetty (@ShilpaShettyC) June 2, 2016
“India loves you.”
African citizen: “Can you locate Malawi in the map of Africa?””Umm… Look, let’s just stop at India loves you.”— Pushkar (@Pushkarr) June 2, 2016
.@SushmaSwaraj Ma’am I just said “India loves you” to an African guy, he slapped me and said “haramkhor kala hun African nahi” 😒😂
— maithun (@Being_Humor) June 2, 2016
Dear @SushmaSwaraj Africa is not a country but a continent. There are no “African citizens”. But citizens of various African countries. Rgds
— Chirpy Says (@IndianPrism) June 2, 2016
Some wondered if this ‘solution’ should apply for all those discriminated against
@SushmaSwaraj sure madam, also do appeal to fellow bhakts: next time you meet a Muslim or a Dalit, pl shake hand and say ‘India loves you’.
— pravin mishra (@mishra_pravin) June 2, 2016
.@SushmaSwaraj I appeal to the BJP. Next time you meet a member of the LGBT community, pl shake hand and say ‘India loves you’.
Pl RT— Hardik Rajgor (@Hardism) June 2, 2016
.@SushmaSwaraj Please also appeal to Delhiites that next time they see a Northeastern person, say, “Delhi loves you”.
— Mr. Tippler (@MrTippler) June 2, 2016
Sadly, some indulged in some fun by being racist jerks
@SushmaSwaraj mam no one hate on base of colour. People hate because of drugs and other wrong doings by them
— Chaman varshney (@varshneytheneta) June 2, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj mam its working, i had just said ‘India loves you’ to an African citizen ,he hugged me nd gifted me gud dose of cocaine👍👌
— लोलवा बाबा (@DMishraa) June 2, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj yes, we can do it even if they peddle drugs, break all rules, create nuisance. “India loves you” more than its own citizens.
— ಕನ್ನಡ (@Halmidi) June 2, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj @bimal_pr Sushmaji, please note before giving such advice, “shake hands with African” Nigerian, in good numbers are criminals
— Debabrata Chanda (@ChandaDebabrata) June 2, 2016
But some pointed out the frivolousness of this suggestion
.@SushmaSwaraj Sure, mam. After murders/riots for beef, just say “btw bhaai, bhaarat tumhen pyar karta hai” and go back to rioting.
— Nehr-who? (@threeinchfooll) June 2, 2016
@SushmaSwaraj Please do not over do it. Been 2 other countries No one told me their country loves me. Appeal to treat foreigners normally Pl
— Dr Promila Suri (@PromilaSuri) June 2, 2016
.@SushmaSwaraj Ma’am, first appeal to these Shiv Sena-MNS guys first, that next time they meet a Bihari guy, say “Maharashtra loves you”.
— Mr. Tippler (@MrTippler) June 2, 2016
