For Tharoor’s ‘maharaja’ comment, Smriti Irani has this to say

Union minister Smriti Irani on Friday took a jibe with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for his reported 'maharaja' comments amidst a row over period drama 'Padmavati'.

Tharoor had on Thursday reportedly said the "so called valourous maharajas" had scurried to accommodate themselves when the British "trampled" over their honour and were now after a filmmaker, claiming that prestige was at stake.

Reacting to Mr. Tharoor's remarks, Smriti Irani tweeted, "Did all the Maharajs (kings) kneel in front of the British? What will Jyotiraditya Scindia, Diggi Raja (Digvijaya Singh) and Amarinder Singh say on Shashi Tharoor's comments?"

However, yesterday Mr. Tharoor had taken to Twitter to say, "I'm dismayed that some BJP supporters are claiming I attacked Rajput honour...I spoke about the Maharajahs who made their accommodations w/the (with the) British. I have never made a communal comment in my life."

As for specific concerns of the Rajput community, he said people's sentiments must be respected in the interest of India's diversity and harmony.

"Rajput valour is part of our history and is not in question. BJP and its censors should take these concerns into account," Mr. Tharoor said.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movie 'Padmavati' is witnessing protests with some groups alleging that it allegedly tampered with historical facts.