Here is why Kerala netizens are angry with Sushma Swaraj
- Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi agreed to declare amnesty for 149 Indian prisoners in Sharjah, who were accused of minor offences
- The announcement came in response to a request by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking the release of Keralites
- Unimpressed by Sushma Swaraj's decision not to acknowledge Pinarayi and his efforts, Kerala's netizens launched an offensive against her
FollowThousands of social media users and keyboard warriors from Kerala have been attacking Union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj with trolls and memes since Tuesday night, accusing her and the Centre of trying to take credit for an initiative by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The development comes after Sharjah ruler Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, who is visiting Kerala, agreed to declare amnesty for 149 Indian prisoners, accused of minor offences, who have spent more than three years in Sharjah jails, after a meeting with Pinarayi.
Also read: Sharjah to release 149 Indian prisoners, offer them jobs
Swaraj took to Twitter on Tuesday night to inform about the kind gesture by Al-Qasimi, but it came several hours after Pinarayi announced the same news through his Facebook page.
HH the Emir of Sharjah has been pleased to grant pardon to 149 Indian prisoners accused of minor offences. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 26, 2017
We thank His Highness the Emir of Sharjah for this kind gesture. /2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 26, 2017
"HH the Emir of Sharjah has been pleased to grant pardon to 149 Indian prisoners accused of minor offences. We thank His Highness the Emir of Sharjah for this kind gesture. We thank His Highness the Emir of Sharjah for this kind gesture," the Union minister said in a series of tweets.
However, there was no mention of Pinarayi or his meeting with Al-Qasimi in Sushma's tweets. Unimpressed by her decision not to acknowledge their Chief Minister and his efforts, Kerala's netizens launched an offensive against Sushma, using variations of popular trolls and memes.
Several Twitter users also posted news reports of a joint communique issued by the Sharjah and Kerala governments, regarding general amnesty, as replies to Sushma's tweets.
