Rashtrapati Bhavan hits back at Sonia Gandhi’s 'very tired' remark on President Murmu; says 'in poor taste'

Rashtrapati Bhavan issued a strong rebuttal to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s comments about President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, calling them “in poor taste” and “entirely avoidable.” In its statement, Rashtrapati Bhavan denied Gandhi’s claims, asserting that the President was never tired and was fully engaged in speaking up for marginalised communities, women, and farmers—issues she has long championed.

The Congress leader had referred to the President as a ‘poor lady’ and suggested she seemed exhausted during her address at the Joint Parliament’s Budget Session on Friday

The President’s office further clarified that such remarks might stem from a misunderstanding of the idiomatic expressions used in Indian languages, particularly Hindi.


“Rashtrapati Bhavan would like to clarify that nothing could be farther from the truth. The President was not tired at any point. Indeed, she has believed that speaking up for the marginalized communities, for women and farmers, as she was doing during the course of her address, can never be tiring,” the statement said.

Rashtrapati Bhavan also expressed disappointment over the remarks, calling them “in poor taste” and “entirely avoidable.” The statement further stressed that such comments were uncalled for and detracted from the dignity of public discourse.

“The President’s office believes it might be the case that these leaders have not acquainted themselves with the idiom and discourse in Indian languages such as Hindi, and thus formed a wrong impression. In any case, such comments are in poor taste, unfortunate and entirely avoidable: Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said.

Political backlash & BJP's condemnation

Sonia Gandhi, flanked by her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, expressed concern over the length of President Murmu’s speech, suggesting it left her "very tired."

"The President was getting very tired by the end. She could hardly speak, poor thing," she remarked.

The BJP was quick to react, accusing the Congress of displaying a "feudal mindset" and opposing an Adivasi woman in the highest constitutional position.

BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar condemned the remarks, calling them "derogatory" and asserting that such comments were disrespectful to President Murmu, who belongs to an Adivasi family and is now the country’s top constitutional official.

President Murmu’s Budget Session address

President Droupadi Murmu delivered her speech at the commencement of the Budget session, focusing on key government initiatives.

She highlighted efforts to modernise the agricultural sector, promote self-reliance, and increase farmers' income. The President also stressed India’s goal of becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and assured that no one would be left behind in this journey.

Among other highlights, she praised the strides India has made in defense self-reliance, mentioning the government's focus on "Make in India" and expanding to "Make for the World." Additionally, she celebrated the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, marking a significant step toward connecting India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.