Naga Hoho demands apology from Tharoor for ‘hilarious’ headgear comment

Guwahati (Assam) 6 August 2018:

The Naga Hoho, which is Nagaland’s apex tribal organisation, has demanded an apology from Congress leader Sashi Tharoor for “hurting” the sentiments of the Nagas through his assertion for allegedly making fun of their traditional headgears.

“Why does our Prime Minister, who wears all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country, refuse to wear a Muslim skullcap? You've seen him in hilarious Naga headdress, feathers, and various kinds of extraordinary outfits. Why does he refuse to wear the green?” DNA, with inputs from PTI, quoted Tharoor as saying at a seminar in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

Naga Hoho president Chuba Ozukum said Tharoor had no rights to laugh at others’ cultures.

“That is the mindset of Indian leaders. That’s why people from the Northeast cannot be with them in all generations to come. We have been experiencing such racial discriminations in Delhi for long. They don’t bother about people from the Northeast dying or getting beaten up in Delhi,” Ozukum said.

He demanded an apology from Tharoor. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju too made a similar demand.

“I demand an apology from the Congress party for insulting the people of India’s Northeast and tribals. Sashi Tharoor described Northeast people and Naga tribal headgears as funny looking, outlandish and hilarious,” Rijiju tweeted.