US later tried to defend the ‘Hell on Earth’ post, opposition surrounded the Indian government
SNPNEWS.IN (International): US President Donald Trump yesterday shared a controversial text by conservative American author, radio host and MAGA (Make America Great Again) activist Michael Savage on birthright citizenship, in which India, China etc. have been described as hell on earth. The controversy has come to light during the ongoing legal debate on citizenship under the 14th Amendment in the US, when it is being said that birthright citizenship is being taken on a large scale in the US.
In this, Savage has claimed that the current law allows immigrants to reach the US in the ‘ninth month’ of their pregnancy and take advantage of local laws.
The controversial statement shared by Michael Savage, which Trump has shared, reads, “Here a child becomes a citizen immediately and then they bring the whole family from China or India or some other hellhole in the world. You don’t have to go very far to see that. English is no longer spoken here.”
The post goes on to say, “Because of immigrants, the people of America are having trouble getting jobs. They believe that immigrants are taking away the rights of Americans.”
“You don’t have to go very far to see that. English is no longer spoken here. There is almost no loyalty to this country in the immigrant class that is coming in today, which has never been there before.”
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After Trump reposted this statement, India has revealed its process
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen the comments, as well as the statement issued by the US Embassy since then.”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs termed Michael Savage’s comments as “uninformed, inappropriate, and in poor taste”. The ministry clarified that such comments do not match the reality of the strong strategic relationship between India and the US. India underlined that it is the world’s largest democracy and a trusted partner of the US.
The US immediately tried to manage the damage of the statement reposted by Trump. According to news agency PTI, after the controversy escalated, the US Embassy in New Delhi issued a clarification to reduce the acrimony in relations with India.
A spokesperson for the US Embassy said that President Trump considers India a “great country” and calls Prime Minister Modi his “very good friend”.
According to White House sources, this post was not against any country, but was part of a political debate demanding changes in the ‘Birthright Citizenship’ law in the US.
Several Indian-American organizations in the US and the Hindu American Foundation have condemned this language as “hateful and racist”.
Trump’s reposted statement has drawn sharp reactions from the opposition in India.
The opposition parties reminded of the ‘Namaste Trump’ program and asked if this is the essence of such friendship? They said that Indians have made a huge contribution to the progress of America, but calling them “gangsters” is condemnable. The opposition parties say that India should officially lodge a strong protest with the US instead of just “looking at reports”.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has also questioned the Prime Minister’s leadership on this issue.
The Congress wrote on its X handle, “US President Trump has called India ‘hell’. This statement is very insulting and anti-India. Every Indian has been hurt by this.”
The Congress party has demanded that Prime Minister Modi should speak to the US President about this and register his strong protest.
The Congress said, “However, looking at Modi’s record till date, it cannot be expected that Modi will be able to say anything in front of Trump. Trump keeps making insulting comments about India and Modi keeps listening silently. Narendra Modi is a weak Prime Minister and the entire country is suffering the consequences of this.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote on X, “A dear friend of Modi ji, has shared a note in which India has been abused and a very insulting word has been used. Modi ji is completely silent on these absurd things.”
He further wrote, “Regarding the External Affairs Ministry’s response, he said, ‘That’s all I want to say.’ Modi ji, what are you afraid of? Indians have played a vital role in America’s success. What is stopping us from raising this issue at the highest level of the US government?”
AAP leader Manish Sisodia said, “Insulting India may get you headlines, but India does not need your approval. This country of 140 crore people has a heritage of pride, talent and culture. India will not be defined by your rhetoric.”
He wrote, “Calling India ‘hell’ is not an insult to India, but it exposes your ignorance and hollow ego.”