Idli and sambar is a heavenly combination and most Indians would agree. But a British professor thinks differently about the popular South Indian combo, which of course brought the wrath of many netizens.
Edward Anderson, a history lecturer in Northumbria University and an expert in India- Britain studies, responded to a question by Zomato India, which asked, “What’s that one dish you could never understand why people like so much?” Soon after, Edward replied to Zomato saying, “Idli are the most boring things in the world.”
Anderson further said, “”Before the whole of south India attacks me, can I just say that I love dosa and appam and basically all south Indian food. But idli (and puttu for that matter) are insufferable,” he wrote. But that didn’t save him from the angry desi netizens.
This has obviously outraged desi Twitter, even Congress MP Shashi Tharoor too couldn’t hold back. He joined with netizens to school him and to give him a reality check. And now it is being referred to as ‘Idligate’.
To begin with, Shashi Tharoor’s son Ishaan Tharoor said, “I think I’ve encountered the most offensive take on Twitter.”
Shashi Tharoor also agreed with Ishaan and tweeted: “Yes, my son, there are some who are truly challenged in this world. Civilisation is hard to acquire: the taste and refinement to appreciate idlis, enjoy cricket, or watch ottamthullal is not given to every mortal. Take pity on this poor man, for he may never know what life can be.”
Yes, my son, there are some who are truly challenged in this world. Civilisation is hard to acquire: the taste & refinement to appreciate idlis, enjoy cricket, or watch ottamthullal is not given to every mortal. Take pity on this poor man, for he may never know what Life can be. https://t.co/M0rEfAU3V3
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 7, 2020
The biggest mistake ever! 😂#Idlidebate https://t.co/6hvubHXfbj
— Alekhya (@lifeasalekhya) October 8, 2020
Finally Anderson realised what he did and ordered idli as an apology. Even then he stand by his opinion. “”Having accidentally enraged the entirety of South India (and its omnipresent diaspora) on Twitter, it was only right to order idlis for lunch. I’m very sorry to report that my unpopular – or “blasphemous”, as some have said – opinion remains unchanged,” he wrote.
Having accidentally enraged the entirety of South India (and its omnipresent diaspora) on twitter, it was only right to order idlis for lunch. I'm very sorry to report that my unpopular – or "blasphemous", as some have said – opinion remains unchanged. #sorrynotsorry https://t.co/qx2VRJw6EO pic.twitter.com/TmIvxNWaYx
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) October 7, 2020
What is your take? Do you like idlis?
