After a video of Pakistan education minister Rana Tanveer Hussain allegedly using a Hindi expletive went viral on social media, he issued an apology on Monday. The minister faced backlash online for the inappropriate remarks made at a graduation ceremony in Lahore’s Government College University (GCU). Calling it an accident, Hussain said that he felt ‘sorry’ about the incident.
He wrote, “Yesterday at GC University Lahore, i had a slip of tongue during my speech. I feel sorry about that and take my words back.”
In the purported video, Hussain is heard telling the gathering about how the vice-chancellor of Faisalabad Agriculture University, Rana Iqrar, used foul language while narrating to him about how he worked in the university despite hailing from the ruling class of the Rana tribe.
Sharing the video on Twitter, one user compared the incident to the state of education in Pakistan and added that the language indicates the dearth of literacy. The user wrote, “This is our Education Minister, Rana Tanveer Hussain. Just look at this man’s language & tell me why anyone should be surprised to see the dismal state of education in this country. He couldn’t even fake it for a graduation ceremony. The lack of education shines through & through.”
Also read: IMF says Pakistan must complete ‘few remaining points’ to get $6.5 bn loan
Despite the apology, Hussain’s comments have enraged netizens, who slammed him for using derogatory language at a college function.
Another user criticised, “The filth is engrossed so deep within that it all just oozes out as a matter of fact”.
Yet another person suggested that it wasn’t an accident and that it demonstrated the minister’s regular behaviour. The person commented, “It wasn’t a slip of the tongue, it was proof of your normal behaviour.” Calling it shameful, several users called for the minister’s resignation while others opined that people holding such positions of power should display professionalism and lead by example.
