Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a foot-in-mouth moment during a joint event with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday when he applauded her moves to combat terrorism "despite being a woman."
Modi's comment came as the leaders spoke about their new levels of cooperations to combat security threats.
"We know solution for everything, but not terrorism. I am happy that Bangladesh Prime Minister, despite being a woman, has declared zero tolerance for terrorism," the prime minister said, according to translated reports by Indian media.
While some say Modi's comment was meant as a compliment, reaction from Indians on Twitter was swift and harsh. The day after Modi's speech, #DespiteBeingAWoman was trending on Twitter in India.
I tolerate. I forgive. I give another chance! I smile, I laugh, I cry. I hurt, I celebrate. I heal. I hope, I pray. #DespiteBeingAWoman— Vinita Dawra Nangia (@VinitaNangia) June 8, 2015
#DespiteBeingAWoman Marie Curie won a Nobel Prize both in Physics and Chemistry.— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) June 7, 2015
Two power women #DespiteBeingAWoman https://t.co/oAfLcH4Jy0— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) June 8, 2015
The @IndiaHistorypic Twitter account took the opportunity to school the prime minster on India's long history of powerful women.
1940s :: Noor-un-Nisa , Indian princess who was also a British spy during World War II #DespiteBeingAwoman pic.twitter.com/pbbKB8LKTy— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) June 8, 2015
1975: #DespiteBeingAWoman Indira Gandhi Declared Emergency,Made Sure Every Single Male opposition Leader Goes to Jail pic.twitter.com/1FS6WvaCHJ— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) June 8, 2015
But others defended Modi's comments, pointing out that in a majority Islamic nation like Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has made strides.
#DespiteBeingAWoman in Islamic nation, Sheikh Hasina *is* PM & has courage & conviction to stand up against terrorism. Why the negativity??!— गीतिका (@ggiittiikkaa) June 8, 2015