Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Indonesia conferred its highest honour, the Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia, on him. Ramesh said that India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had received the same award posthumously "without having to wrangle it."
Congress leader's remarks on social media
Responding to a post highlighting that Modi is the second Indian leader after Nehru to receive Indonesia's highest honour, Ramesh wrote on X: "And Nehru got it posthumously without having to wrangle it." In another post, he shared a video clip of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto from the ceremony where Modi was awarded, in which Subianto is heard referring to Nehru. Ramesh also posted the lyrics of the song "Tu jahan jahan chalega mera saaya saath hoga" from the 1966 film 'Mera Saya' to take a dig at Modi.
Modi conferred with Indonesia's highest honour
Modi was on Tuesday conferred the Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia for his role in strengthening ties between the two countries. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto presented the medal to Modi at Istana Merdeka, the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The award, instituted in 1959, is the highest honour in the Republic of Indonesia, given to individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the unity, continuity and prosperity of the nation.
Modi's response to the honour
Earlier, Modi said: "This morning, I have also been conferred with Indonesia's highest honour with immense affection. This honour belongs to the crores of Indians... it belongs to the sentiments of the people of Indonesia, to the historic and intimate ties between India and Indonesia." He added, "I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Prabowo Ji, the Government of Indonesia, and the people here," as quoted by the Prime Minister's Office on X.
