I want to pelt a stone at …..

(By Abdul Majid Zargar)

This week the targets of e-stones are following persons

Mr. Swapan Das Gupta:

Mr. Swapan Das Gupta is a known Columnist. Starting his career from “The Statesman”, he has worked in newspapers like “The Times of India”, “The Telegraph” and “The Indian Express” before joining “India Today”. He is currently a freelancer and an avid blogger. Politically , he is considered close to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Expressing his views on the recent visit of All Party Parliamentary Delegation to J& K, he writes in one of his Columns published in “Deccan Chronicle” that a civil Society group close to Hurriyat Conference also met the Delegation. The group he is referring to is one which made an honest & eloquent presenentation of it’s views before the APD . The speakers chosen for the occasion were Mrs. Hameeda Nayeem, an academician & social activist & Dr. Altaf Hussain Mufti, a renowned pediatrician of the valley. The former is wife of Mr. Nayeem Khan, the incarcerated Hurriyat(M) leader which prompted Mr. Das Gupta to label the Civil society group as close to “Hurriyat”

I would like to put a simple question to Mr. Das Gupta. When Phoolan Devi, the notorious bandit Queen was elected to Parliament and she rubbed shoulders with other Parliamentarians, did that make the august House close to groups in Chambal Valley? If not then how does association of a graceful lady with a group, her spouse’s views notwithstanding, make that group close to Hurriyat?

Let me add something for information of Mr. Das Gupta & journalists of his ilk. The factual presentation made by the Civil Society Group under reference was so persuasive, lucid & appealing that many important members of the delegation were visibly moved by knowing the facts. The Canards & falsehoods spread by crass & more-than-compliant Journalists based in New-Delhi under the false notion of patriotism fell apart like a pack of cards. It is rightly said that Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels & acts committed under its cover is called vandalism & not Journalism.

Mr. Swapan Das Gupta, therefore deserves a stone to be pelted at.

Mr. Vijay Sazawal:

Mr. Vijay Sazawal is a native Kashmiri Pandith Ji settled in USA. There he runs a Forum known as “Indo-American Kashmir Forum’- We are told that it is .an overseas organization of Kashmiri Pandiths. So far so good.

On the recent visit of Indian Defence Minister to USA, his forum submitted him a Memorandum profusely thanking him for not making desired amendments to AFPSA, which was even demanded by CM Omar Abdullah.

Vow-Pandith Ji, It stands to reason that your forum opposes the demand for “Azadi” to Kashmiris. Since there are numerous forums or organizations of Kashmiri Diaspora, which strongly advocate Azadi or freedom for Kashmir, your democratic right to oppose such demands is conceded to that extent.

But it is beyond one’s comprehension that a Kashmiri residing thousands of miles away from his native place opposes a change in law which is universally acknowledged as cannibalistic & brutally repressive. It is this Act which offers a shield to Indian Army to protect its delinquent men. Pathribal, Ganderbal & Machil fake encounters are glaring examples of that obnoxious shield.

Mr. Sazawal is neither effected by the application of this Act nor has any apparent reason(hidden reasons I do not know) to defend it. The only conclusion is that he suffers from a malady known as “economic bestowment of humanity & common sense”.

Mr. Vijay Sazawal, therefore deserves a stone to be pelted at.

The Vehicle Owner & Traffic Constable:

The other day I was driving through City roads when I suddenly found a load-Carrier in front of me emitting huge quantity of smoke. The smoke was so peppery that I had to reduce my speed to increase the distance between my car & the erring Vehicle.

Upon reaching TRC roundabout, I stopped my car & lodged a complaint with the traffic Constable on duty. Pat came the reply- Sir, We are only concerned with the validity of pollution control certificate & not the pollution itself. Hence no action can be taken as of now. I was dumbstruck.

For not getting his vehicle properly tuned & the dereliction of duty, both the Vehicle owner & traffic Constable deserve a stone each to be pelted at.

(The author is a practicing Chartered Accountant. feedback at amzargar1@indiatimes.com)