India protests over 'objectionable' article in Sri Lankan

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Aug 01 2014 | 7:33 PM IST
India today strongly took up with Sri Lanka the issue of posting of an objectionable article of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on its Defence website, eliciting an apology from the island nation besides removal of the article.
As the issue created furore in the country, the Indian High Commission raised it with the Sri Lankan government in Colombo following which the country's Defence Ministry removed it and tendered an unqualified apology to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jayalalithaa.
"We extend an unqualified apology to the Hon Prime Minister of India and Hon Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu," said a statement posted on the Lankan Defence Ministry website.
The article had appeared on the Lankan Defence Ministry's website along with a graphical portrayal of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
Hours after the article was published, it created a furore in Tamil Nadu with BJP allies PMK and MDMK seeking severing of diplomatic relations with the island nation.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the Government acted with "alacrity" after knowing about the objectionable article and it drew immediate result.
"We acted with alacrity. We have achieved our objective and should any further action be required we will certainly consider this and take appropriate action," he told reporters.
"I can confirm to you that as soon as we took up the matter, we drew immediate result and to our entire satisfaction, that offensive article was removed.
"If there are further things that we need to do, we will certainly consider them," the MEA Spokesperson said.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 01 2014 | 7:33 PM IST

Next Story