As Kerala gears up for its first ever Metro with PM Modi set to inaugurate the Kochi Metro on June 17, there is palpable excitement. But what seems to be dominating the conversation is the exclusion of ‘Metro man’ E Sreedharan from the dais of the inaugural event.
The PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) has excluded E Sreedharan from the list of people who will be sitting on the dais, according to Kochi Metro and Kerala government.
Understandably, this has ruffled many feathers and social media has latched on it with several memes ridiculing the decision.
This meme depicts a scene from the movie Perunthachan. The top portion shows the Metro inauguration venue while Thilakkan below is referred to as E Sreedharan.
Credits : Shahul Ameen ©ICU
In the meme below, Mohanlal represents the state government and says 'We excluded Oommen Chandy'. Jagathy Sreekumar (below) is the central government and says, 'We excluded E Sreedharan'.
Meme by Manu Kalliyoor on Troll Malayalam.
This meme has actor Sreenivasan wondering if Sreedharan was excluded to tie some cows on the dais.
Meme by Jayan nair on Troll Malayalam.
#PMInsultsMetroMan hashtag was trending on Twitter, with a few agitated Twitterati even asking the Kerala government to boycott the programme.
The man who ran day in and out to make #KochiMetro a reality is being insulted! #PMOInsultsMetroMan
— Jeboy Jacob Mathew (@jeboyjacob) June 14, 2017
Give Credit where it's due #PMOInsultsMetroMan #MetroMan #KochiMetro
— Georgy B Abraham (@Greyamigo) June 14, 2017
#PMOInsultsMetroMan #CMOkerala should boycott the event if mr. Sreedharan is not invited.#പിന്നല്ലാതെ
— Shaji Ninan (@Twitt_India) June 14, 2017
Modi can hog the stage & sprout any Madison Square or Wembley grade b.s. but Kerala salutes one & only E Sreedharan! #PMOInsultsMetroMan pic.twitter.com/dgbtpHcUhz
— The Last Caveman (@CarDroidusMax) June 14, 2017
Malayalees reaction when we hear Metro Man E Sreedharan was excluded from dias of Kochi Metro launch by PMO#PMOInsultsMetroMan pic.twitter.com/nRuOnaRv6D
— Sudeep Basu (@SudeepBasu94) June 14, 2017
The man who build India's 1st Metro &Konkan Railway (once thought impossible to construct) deserve more respect from PMO #PMOInsultsMetroMan pic.twitter.com/97yKIPUoKx
— Syed Osama Ashraf (@osamaashraf455) June 14, 2017
Reacting to the development, MLA PT Thomas said, "This shows the arrogance of the BJP. When the foundation stone for Kochi Metro was laid by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, none was left out from the dais. This is Kerala's dream project and key people behind this are now asked to sit in the audience. This is totally unfair."
Elias George, the Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Corp, told the media that the list of invitees to the dais was prepared and sent to the Prime Minister's Office.
"The final list is made by the PMO. We have no role in this."
Sharing a photograph of his meeting with Sreedharan on Wednesday, Kerala's Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said that the news of the PMO excluding Shreedharan's name from the list of dignitaries invited on stage was disheartening.
"I earnestly request the PMO to rectify this mistake. If we don't honour Shreedharan- the man behind the Metro- who else will we honour?" the Minister wrote in a Facebook post.
The state government has written to the PMO to include the names of DMRCL principal advisor Dr. E Sreedharan as well as Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and MLA PT Thomas who have also been excluded.
Some leaders and journalists have also reacted to the development condemning the PMO's decision.
Shame tat BJP 4 trying 2 tke the credit 4 everythng.Ignoring 'MetroMan' #E.Sreedharan in kerala n pushing brand 'Namo' is unfair n shameful
— khushbusundar (@khushsundar) June 14, 2017
PMO says no to E. Sreedharan sharing dias with PM Modi at Kochi Metro inauguration. Last heard, all Mallu nationalists running for cover.
— Vidhya Ck (@VidhyaDhanushi) June 14, 2017
Insecurity of being upstaged by people of real merit? https://t.co/08bpWqB5HZ
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 14, 2017