Ivanka Trump Accused Of Being 'Insensitive' By Indian Netizens About Migrant Teen's Plight

U.S. Presidential advisor Ivanka Trump heaped praises on Jyoti Kumari, an Indian teen, who pedaled over 1,200 kilometers over seven days and ferried her wounded father to their hometown amid the pandemic. But, netizens are not amused. Ivanka was subjected to severe backlash for being insensitive about the plight of millions of underprivileged migrants in the face of a global health crisis.

“15-yr-old Jyoti Kumari, carried her wounded father to their home village on the back of her bicycle covering +1,200 km over 7 days. This beautiful feat of endurance and love has captured the imagination of the Indian people and the cycling federation!” tweeted Trump’s daughter Friday, May 22.

But, her words of encouragement had people slamming her for not getting the point and the deplorable conditions of the poor in a developing country. “Her poverty and desperation are being glorified as if Jyoti cycled 1,200 kilometers for the thrill of it. The government failed her, that’s hardly something to trumpet as an achievement,” tweeted Omar Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir in response to Ivanka's post.

The feisty 15-year-old’s brave feat got noticed by India’s cycling federation, which rolled out an invite to her for trials. But, scores of Indians believe that the move has little to do with her finesse, but reeks of acute poverty. Kumari hails from a remote village in the outskirts of Bihar, and is the daughter of a rickshaw driver. He was employed until an accident struck, which rendered him handicapped, bringing his job to a screeching halt.

Soon after, when the nation-wide lockdown came into being, things went into a downward spiral for the daily wage and migrant workers who were out of a livelihood. The young girl’s father reminisces that he was in awe of his daughter’s grit -- and the moment she took charge and decided to get them back home.

The two survived on the food offered by people along the way and was grateful to have brought her dad home. The 15-year-old chose to ignore the buzz around Ivanka Trump’s comments and offered thanks to the millions world over, who showered the girl with appreciation.