New Delhi: Trolled for a social media post in which she allegedly tied Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of ‘Atma Nirbharta’ (self-reliance) to a child selling flowers on the street, BJP leader Khushbu Sundar on Thursday extended an apology saying she meant to share the image in a “positive context”.
A sitting member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Khushbu recently took to her X handle to post an image of a bunch of flowers, which she said was bought from a girl on a street during a drive-by. The social media post was deleted later.
She tagged the image of the bouquet of flowers resting on her car seat with a message in which she expanded on how people were taking inspiration from PM Modi’s message of self-reliance.
The actor-turned-politician was heavily trolled over the post, with netizens accusing her of papering over the scourge of “child labour” with her praise for PM Modi and his vision of ‘Atma Nirbharta’.
After firefighting with the trolls, she expressed regret over the post on Thursday, saying she ought not to have overlooked the aspect of “child labour”.
I am very sure I work more for child labour than you do. As someone who has always been involved in public service, I understand better. Kindly read the positive side and not jump to conclusions just because it is probably fashionable for you to be anti Modi. Read my following… https://t.co/R6D3A8vgiX
— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) January 10, 2024
“When you realize you have made a mistake, the best thing is to say sorry. Apologizing does not make you small. It shows you are a human and are sensitive to others feelings. My tweet about a child selling flowers in Mumbai yesterday was made in a very positive context as she was helping her own education and not confining to begging. I do realize it sums up to child labour,” she posted from her X handle on Thursday.
The BJP leader said no child has to be out on the street to support her family or everyday expenses.
“As a very responsible citizen of this nation, I shouldn’t have overlooked that aspect and tweeted about it. No child should be out on the streets, fending for themselves or the family. A child needs to grow up in a very secure and happy environment. Be in school and play to have a healthy mindset and upbringing,” she added.
When you realize you have made a mistake, the best thing is to say sorry. Apologizing does not make you small. It shows you are a human and are sensitive to others feelings. My tweet about a child selling flowers in mumbai yesterday was made in a very positive context as she was…
— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) January 11, 2024
Bringing up the “struggle, pain and hardship” during her childhood, the BJP leader said she saw a bit of herself in the girl selling flowers on the street.
She added that she saw in her eyes the “courage and confidence” to make a living for herself.
“I, who has been through struggle, pain and hardship as a child myself, saw me in that child whose eyes and gait spoke of confidence and courage. My intention was not to hurt anyone. I seek your forgiveness for sending out a wrong message. I have never deleted any of my tweets till date, but this I did. All I have to say is sorry from the bottom of my heart,” Khushbu posted.