Obama Shocker: US diplomats banned from taking Ice Bucket Challenge

Washington, Aug 22: While most of the people have been taking part in the viral Ice Bucket Challenge, diplomats in

have been banned. Earlier US President

had rejected to take the challenge and now it has been reported that diplomats in the country too cannot participate in this.

Justifying their stand of banning the diplomats, State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf was quoted as saying, "It's not just about ambassadors. Federal government ethics rules prevent us from using our public offices, such as -- high public offices such as ambassadors -- for private gain, no matter how worthy the cause is."

Continuing his statement, Harf also added, "For that reason, high-ranking State Department officials are unfortunately unable to participate in the ice bucket challenge."

"Federal government ethics rules prevent us from using our public offices"

According to sources, the State Department sent an internal telegram which barred ambassadors and other high-profile foreign service officers of the country from participating in the the Challenge.

In the Ice Bucket Challenge, people either pledge $100 to ALS research or record themselves getting soaked by frigid water, then post it online and challenge others to do the same.

Obama had refused to take the challenge from Ethel Kennedy, the 86-year-old widow of late senator Robert F Kennedy. However, the US President promised to give gift instead.

The Ice Bucket Challenge has become a major hit on online. Many celebrities including pop star Justin Bieber, former US president George W Bush, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, Merk Zuckerberg and many others took the challenge.

Many Bollywood actors and other celebrities in India too responded to the challenge. Hritesh Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Sania Mirza and many other were among them.

OneIndia News