Washington, October 10: Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna struck back at US Senate candidate Lauren Witzke over her Twitter post targeting "third-world migrants". The Republic leader, who is vying for a seat in the Upper Chamber of US Congress, stoked a row when she tweeted that third-world immigrants cannot assimilate into civil societies. Vikas Khannaโ€™s Reply to Journalist Saying 'Sense of Hunger Came From New York, Not India' Wins Hearts.

The tweet, apparently stoking xenophobic passions, drew a stinging reply from Khanna. The Indian-origin New York City resident shared a screenshot of Witzke's post, while listing the awards and honours that have been conferred upon him for his work despite hailing from a third-world country.

"Most third-world migrants can not assimilate into civil societies. Prove me wrong. anti-immigrant (sic)," the Senate candidate had said. In response to her post, came Khanna's sharp retort.

See Vikas Khanna's Tweet

"Being a recipient of highest awards from Eleanor Roosevelt Award to Benjamin Franklin Award to Game Changers to Michelin Star to James Beard Nom to Oscar Eligibility 2020 to โ€œThe Hottest Chef in NYโ€ to being on the cover of @nytimes & many publications to cooking for 3 PRESIDENTS (sic)," Khanna said.

Khanna had, in June this year, issued a similar sharp response to a news anchor on being asked whether his humble origins in India made him understand "how precarious" the issue of hunger was. To this, the chef had replied: "No, I am from Amritsar, everyone gets fed there in the langars. My sense of hunger came from New York."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2020 12:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).