On April 19, during a campaign speech Giri Raj Singh the BJP politician from Barahiya, Bihar caused a great deal of controversy by saying that those opposing Modi would have a place in Pakistan and not in India. His statement was slammed by many the media and politicians across the spectrum. Mr. Modi and other BJP leaders were also quick condemned this statement and rightly so, in a basic principle of democracy is freedom of speech, the right to say whatever about whomever without fearing the consequences.
If what is said is false or objectionable, we have the courts to settle the matter. But freedom of speech must never ever be infringed no matter what the excuse.
An FIR was also lodged against him on April 20. The Election Commission has banned BJP candidate Giriraj Singh from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand. Now Giriraj Singh may have said what he said in the heat of a campaign and we have had several instances where people have gone overboard but not all get punished, does anybody remember ‘Merchant of Death’ or Farooq Abdullah’s recent remarks where he asked all those who voted for Modi to drown themselves in the ocean
This incident also spawned a lot of humor over Twitter with ‘liberals’ all over the place joking to move to Pakistan, some cited the pretty girls, the other the tasty biryani, and some even the scenic beauty. Now we all know that these folks were being facetious and humor is always welcomed. I for one believe that there should be no limit to humor, anything and everything should be allowed, as George Carlin said ‘The role of a comedian is to find the boundary and cross it’
A week later nobody was talking about the issue and then Shobha De penned this column, in which she exclusively chose to slam Mr. Singh and Mr. Togadia without citing that the BJP condemned and distanced themselves from the statement.
She also said the following:
"India must demonstrate its contempt for the Giriraj Singhs who point unbiased citizens to Pakistan as if damning them to purgatory. Hatred and prejudice can only corrode our country. So, yes, I am willing to go to Pakistan, if that’s what it takes to stand up for what is right and just. It might surprise Giriraj to discover how many Indians are ready to join me!"
I wonder if Ms. De wrote any articles when a leader threatened to chop Mr. Modi into pieces. That was incitement of violence. It will be interesting to see if Ms. De pens a column to condemn Farooq Abdullah’s remarks
But let’s look at the history between our countries: We have fought three wars and there is constant insurgence by militants backed by the ISI. They behead our soldiers and create chaos in Kashmir. Pakistan is also the haven for elements of Al Qaeda, a reason why Osama Bin Laden chose to make it his home for a long time. The 26 November attacks were planned in Pakistan and the terrorists talked to their handlers in Pakistan. The mastermind of these attacks Hafez Saeed roams freely in Pakistan and they have always rejected requests by the Indian Government.
We also know that Pakistan is intolerant toward any voices that condemn religion we all know what happened to Salman Taser and how his murderer became a hero. Pakistan doesn’t have a glorious record of treating its minorities well, just ask any Hindus living in Pakistan. They even differentiate between Muslims who chose to migrate from India calling them names, referring to them as Muhajir. The offenses are countless. A country is defined by two elements the people and the government. The government has chosen not to be friendly towards India. Hence lovely as Pakistanis maybe it should be a place that most Indians should never dream of going there for the above-mentioned reasons.
Ms. De and her friends may have been to Pakistan as a privileged delegate of a literary festival and hence must have had the best security and luxury but life in Pak for a citizen is totally different. Ms. De may be surprised to find how her Hindu roots become a serious problem for her.
So how should have De and her likes have reacted to Giriraj Singh are remarks? They should have condemned it and pledged to fight him in all manners possible and stopped right there. They should have pledged to stay here and make sure that this is never allowed in their country. But threatening to quit is like threatening to abandon your mother and father because your very distant cousin said something rude to you. Would you not rather straighten out the distant cousin instead and protect the parents that you so deeply love against any harm?
But this is the sad truth of our times when people do react on the basis of what is said but instead focus on the person saying it. Hence you find prolonged and considerable outrage over remarks by the BJP and momentary or no outrage by others in the mainstream media. Thanks to social media we find that mainstream media had largely become irrelevant.
For the common man, these stupid controversies don’t matter, they are more interested in who can provide them a better life, and come May 16th we shall know what their verdict is, until them the charade of vicious attacks from the likes of De will continue.
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