Home / Entertainment / Celebrity Buzz / Oprah Winfrey Under Fire for Insensitive Remark in India

Oprah Winfrey Under Fire for Insensitive Remark in India

By on July 25, 2012

Oprah-Next-Chapter

Uh-oh, Ms. Oprah Winfrey got herself in a little hot water and has sparked an uproar in India after she made a controversial statement asking whether Indian people still ‘eat with their hands.’

O’s comment came while she was dining with the Somani family in Mumbai during her televised trip to India for “Oprah’s Next Chapter.”

“I heard some Indian people eat with their hands still?” she is seen asking a Mumbai family she joins for dinner.

Winfrey drew strong criticism from Indian citizens, who blasted her insensitivity to Indian customs and traditions.

In an open letter to Oprah that appeared on IBNLive.in.com, journalist Rituparna Chatterjee wrote: ‘As a responsible public figure about to air a show that will be beamed across the world, you should have done your homework.’

The letter goes on: ‘Using our hands to eat is a well-established tradition and a fact none of us are ashamed of. Our economic distinction has nothing to do with it.

‘A millionaire here eats the same way a pauper does. You have been to Asian nations. You should know that.’

I need to see the show.

Related Items
  • Mrsshya

    On one hand: how could she have known? I suppose her producers could’ve done some research & advised her as to what might be considered sensitive. On the other hand: now I see what people mean when black folks get easily offended…lol!