‘I do not respond to mails of Indians, considers them as spam,’ New Zealand minister faces flak for controversial remarks

WELLINGTON: New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has been heavily criticized for saying that she does not respond to emails sent by Indians. The minister made the controversial remark during a parliamentary session. Erica said that she does not open emails sent by Indians asking for information about immigration and considers them as spam. The minister made the remark while responding to a question in Parliament.

'Everything is recorded and forwarded to my parliamentary email address as necessary. Indians send many emails seeking advice on immigration issues. I do not reply to their emails. They are considered spam,' the minister said. Erica's controversial remark caused a huge outcry on social media. The minister came out with an explanation for the controversial incident.

Erica clarified that she did not say that the emails sent by Indians were spam, but only that they were similar to spam. New Zealand's Indian-origin MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan also came out strongly criticizing Erica Stanford. Priyanca told The Indian Weekender that it was unacceptable for the minister to single out people from one ethnic group.