Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam clicked a selfie in front of the coffin of CRPF jawan Vasanthakumar, who was killed in the February 14 Pulwama attack and posted the picture on social media.
The Minister of State for Tourism posted the picture on his Facebook page on Saturday with the caption: “The funeral of jawan V.V. Vasanthakumar was held at the soldier’s home and it is because of soldiers like him that citizens of the country can live peacefully.” The minister reportedly took down the post later after facing criticism.
On Kannanthanam’s Facebook page the same picture was uploaded on Sunday without any caption along with a few other images. The minister was again slammed by social media users for seeking publicity.
CRPF jawan Vasnathakumar was cremated with state honours at his ancestral home in Thrikkaipeta village in Wayanad, Kerala on Saturday.
Also read: Two Days After Pulwama Attack, PM Modi Addresses Rallies in Maharashtra, Skips All-party Meet
Twitter users slammed Alphons for posting the picture.
Union Minister Alphons KJ takes a selfie in front of martyr Vasanthakumar’s coffin. For BJP, publicity is more important than paying homage to a departed soul.#PulwamaTerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/igdmV6yMvD
— Rofl Republic (@i_theindian) February 16, 2019
Alphons Kannanthanam,former beauracrat and presently BJP minister, in the most insensitive manner, poses for a selfie during the funeral of Vasantha Kumar who was killed in Pulwama! Shame!#Pulwama https://t.co/9VJpAYulzP
— Ashu (@MaithilChhora) February 17, 2019
OMG look at this..
BJP Minister of Tourism Alphons Joseph taking selfie with a martyred #CRPF soldier’s body during last rites & final journey. Despicable act
Shame on #Modi & gang for manipulating a National Tragedy like #PulwamaAttack & mocking at entire India @crpfindia pic.twitter.com/h9Vycm2b5u
— Friend Of Friends (@ProfFriend) February 17, 2019
Union minister Alphons Kj
Taking selfie with martyreds coffin
Why it is so imp to do publicity@manojnair96 @bhushankpatil12 pic.twitter.com/8whHx59IkM— SANDIP DAVE (@SandipskDave) February 16, 2019