Nigerian High Commission takes strong objection to Giriraj Singh's comments

NEW DELHI: The Nigerian High Commission today took strong objection to the racist remarks by Union minister Giriraj Singh in which he refereed to a Nigerian woman and demanded an apology for the "unacceptable" comments.

Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria O B Okongor said a complaint may be filed with the External Affairs Ministry as Singh's comments were in "very bad taste".

"We expect the minister to withdraw the comments and apologise to the Nigerian people. We will notify our government about the issue," he said.

Singh kicked up a major row with his remarks as he wondered whether Congress would have accepted Sonia Gandhi's leadership if she was not white-skinned.

"Had Rajiv Gandhi married a Nigerian woman and if she was not a white-skinned woman, would the Congress have then accepted her leadership?" the minister of state for micro, small and medium enterprises told journalists in Bihar's Hajipur yesterday.

His comments drew condemnation from political parties and various women leaders.

The Nigerian envoy said the High Commission would "notify" the Nigerian government about the minister's comments.

Asked whether the High Commission would file a formal complaint with the Ministry of External Affairs, he said, "We need to file a complaint."