If you happen to be a Hindu and want to attend a Christmas-themed charity event, you might just end up finding yourself in the middle of an ugly social-media brawl. This has been an exceptional year for inane controversies, and the last month of the year shows no sign of disappointing.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ wife, Amruta, who is often seen promoting different charitable events, was at an event organised by an FM channel recently. The ‘Be Santa’ campaign hopes to bring in enough donations in the form of gifts for the underprivileged. A lovely way of spreading Christmas cheer, you’d think.
launched-Be Santa-campaign, as Ambassador for @927BIGFM – to collect gifts from people -for poor children ,to bring smiles to their faces during this Christmas.Drop ur gifts at nearest @927BIGFM & Feel the joy -as best way to multiply your happiness is by sharing it with others_ pic.twitter.com/r5UTAi3nDY
— AMRUTA FADNAVIS (@fadnavis_amruta) December 12, 2017
But Amruta’s tweet ended up offending the trolls (a fairly easy task, TBH) who were quick to ask why she did not promote charity events during Diwali or Ganesh Puja. Umm… maybe because nobody asked her to?
Love , sharing & empathy have no religion – let’s accept all positivity around us & stay away from negative thoughts & demotivating energies !
— AMRUTA FADNAVIS (@fadnavis_amruta) December 12, 2017
Not only was Amruta criticised for attending such an event, questions were raised about her religion as well. ‘Fadnavis or Fernandis’, asked a troll with the caustic freedom that comes with anonymity. ‘Shame’, cried another, lamenting that she never ‘launch Rama and Krishna Campaign’, failing to mention the target audience who will benefit from this particular charity.
I hope madam@amruta_fadnavis n hubby Dave can appeal to their coreligionists to not wear Santa suits this Xmas as they cause pollution in production. Just like they appealed against crackers on Diwali. Oh and no crackers on new year please.
— rajeev bhardwaj (@rajeev579) December 12, 2017
Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis OR FERNANDES ?? Please leave some space for Hindus too. Take it from a Voter of Maharashtra, this Secular Sycophancy won’t do any good to your husband’s vote bank politics. Before next Maharashtra elections he will be KICKED OUT by Modi for this. https://t.co/Pj10wX0qEK
— Uch2828 (@Uch28281) December 13, 2017
Where were you on Diwali Ganesh Puja or when Chennai & Mumbai were flooded “Santa” feeling are exclusive to “Christmas”? this is an abuse of your position and status
— No Conversion (@noconversion) December 12, 2017
Why santa? Cudnt u do same thing during Diwali?
— Masala Chaas (@masala_chaas) December 12, 2017
@narendramodi @AmitShah are Fadnavis secretly Christian? we wont vote BJP after this
— Natural Brilliance (@PidisBiscuit) December 12, 2017
@CMOMaharashtra why #Maharashtra state sponsoring Christian superstitious events to convert Hindus students while you promote crackerless Diwali?
Why no sharing caring celebration on #Shivaji jayanti?@BJP4India @ShivSena— SankaPadma (@SankaPadma) December 12, 2017
Shame on you, why never launch Rama and Krishna Campaign
— ___ (_____) (@1983sansingh) December 12, 2017
Playing wid d minds of small impressionable Hindu kids dat its only Xmas which gives them joy. If dis isnt misleading n an aim 2 convert than wat is?
— Yogi Trinetra (@TrinetraUK) December 12, 2017
WAIT. What? Amruta and Devendra are now supposedly secretly Christians because she attended an event asking people to ‘Be Santa’? BJP will not get votes because they may be secretly Christians? Devendra’s real name is Dave? Fadnavis is actually Fernades? Why are these guys called trolls and not Bollywood’s script writer? Imagination so wild that Rohit Shetty’s films seems sane.
Amruta was criticised to a point where she was forced to offer a ‘clarification’:
Love , sharing & empathy have no religion – let’s accept all positivity around us & stay away from negative thoughts & demotivating energies ! @ShefVaidya
— AMRUTA FADNAVIS (@fadnavis_amruta) December 12, 2017
I’m a proud Hindu & like many, I celebrate every festival in my country & that is an individual choice…. We represent the true spirit of our country … and that doesn’t dilute our love towards our country , religion & humanity ….
— AMRUTA FADNAVIS (@fadnavis_amruta) December 12, 2017
We reached out to Shefali Vaidya to know her point of view regarding the whole issue, but haven’t received a response yet.
Also read: Trolling a Madras HC judge on Facebook got this woman arrested
This is hardly the first time someone affiliated with the ruling party has been at the receiving end of cyber trolling after expressing a view that goes against the louder and more aggressive ‘popular’ opinion. In July, Home Minister Rajnath Singh was severely criticised for saying that ‘all Kashmiris are not terrorists’, after pilgrims were attacked during Amarnath Yatra. And in October, after the Supreme Court ruled against the sale of fire-crackers in Delhi NCR ahead of Diwali, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan gave the move his thumbs up. Needless to say, he was mercilessly trolled for supporting a move that’s anti-Hindu tradition.
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