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"I do not owe an explanation to anybody", a dismissive Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said on Tuesday when asked about his cryptic tweets late last night using words "disgust" and "duty" after representing the government at the Pakistan function in New Delhi.
The former Army Chief had been deputed by the government to represent it at the Pakistan National Day reception at the High Commission where Kashmiri separatist leaders were also present. He stayed for a brief while only.
An hour later, the minister issued a series of tweets such as "#DUTY- The force that binds one morally or legally to one's obligations. #DUTY- A task or action that a person is bound to perform for moral or legal reasons. #DUTY- A job or service allocated.
#DISGUST- To offend the moral sense, principles, or taste of. #DISGUST- To sicken or fill with loathing."
And then later he blamed the media for "twisting" the issue with a tweet"#'Disgust'ed to see how certain sections of the media are twisting this issue."
The tweets generated a political controversy with Congress seeking his removal for his tweets.
"If Mr#duty#Disgust is so disgusted with double standards of his govt on Pak he should quit? Other Ministers in past refused to attend PAK EVENTS!" Congress leader Manish Tewari tweeted.
Asked about the tweets, Singh said he did not owe any explanation to anybody and he was at the reception at the instruction of government.
He wondered as to why media was making so much of brouhaha in the matter.