Its official now: Maureen Chao, US Vice Consul in India, is on her way out. The move follows Chao’s infamous racist remarks against Indians, made two weeks back, which drew heavy criticism and condemnation from all quarters.
On August 12, Maureen Chao, who is posted in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu – the very state where most of the Tamil people live – had called the Tamil community of India “dark& dirty” during a public speech in a local university.
The comment had created a huge uproar both in India and in the US with Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalitha calling it a racist slur. Soon after, the US consulate in India issued a regret letter while Chao herself tried some damage control exercise by enrolling into a cultural sensitivity class.
However, several local political parties including the Communist Party of India had demanded that Chao be called back by US. Now, 2 weeks later, it has come to light that the vice consul will indeed head back home.
Where does her political career go from here? That remains to be seen.
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