Gandhi kin backs IAS officer over tweet

Mumbai: IAS officer Nidhi Choudhari, who has been facing flak from all quarters for her controversial tweet on Mahatma Gandhi, received support from unlikely quarters in the Mahatma’s great grandson Tushar Gandhi, who defended  her saying criticising her was unnecessary and people should have the right to speak their mind.

“The controversy over Ms Choudhari's tweet on the Mahatma was uncalled for and the backlash was against Gandhian values. I have seen that shoes were thrown at her picture which is totally against Gandhian beliefs and ideology,” said Mr Gandhi.

“Our Constitution gives citizens freedom to express their opinion, which is the essence of democracy. It is against democratic values to try to muzzle one’s opinion,” he added.

“I have no problem with her tweet. She has maintained that she has faith in the Mahatma.

Even if she was motivated by hatred, we should respect her right to express her opinion.

If her tweet is considered derogatory by any means, we can debate on it in an intellectual manner,” said Mr Gandhi.

Ms Choudhari courted controversy by tweeting on May 17.

However, after a row erupted over her tweet, she tried to defend herself saying that the
tweet was ‘sarcastic’ and that it had been ‘misinterpreted’.

Taking strict note of her controversial tweet, the state government transferred her
from the BMC to the water supply and sanitation department in Mantralaya.

She has also been issued a show cause notice by the government asking her to explain her tweet.

Meanwhile, Ms Chou-dhari shared a poem on her Facebook account to express her feelings about the incident. “If the Mahatma had been alive today, perhaps he would have also cried with me. Those, who are condemning me, should realise that the truth has not been defeated yet. You will have to change your caustic opinion one day,” she said in the poem.