Although there were hundreds of angry messages for Manish Tiwari after his insensitive remark about the Pandit exodus but none better than Rahul Pandita's message published in the OPEN magazine.
We are posting it here for all our readers.
Care for a History Tutorial, Mr Tewari?
Spokespersons of political parties in India are not quite known for their sagacity. But if ever a foot-in-the-mouth award was instituted for the fraternity, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari would emerge as the winner.
Ever since he was given the responsibility of tomtomming his party’s achievements and point of view, Tewari has started putting up that I-know-it-all demeanour in TV studios. During a recent TV discussion on constitutional reforms, which veered towards Article 370 and ultimately towards the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, Tewari, in keeping with his self image as the most crafty spin doctor after Alistair Campbell, opined that J&K’s Pandits were driven out due to the fear psychosis of the then Governor, Jagmohan.
Obviously, Kashmiri Pandit groups are not amused. To add insult to injury, Tewari spoke rudely to an elderly Pandit the next day, who called him to register his protest. Tewari reportedly told him to “fuck off” before banging down the phone.
On social networking sites, Kashmiri Pandits are venting their anger. Calling Tewari’s statement sickening, actor Sanjay Suri, whose father was killed by militants in the early 1990s, wrote that Tewari ‘surely needs to get some history lessons’. One group has called for a protest outside the Congress office.
This is obviously no Tharoor-like situation for Tewari, who is still in 10 Janpath’s good books. But for someone whose father was killed by Khalistani terrorists, Tewari surely must update himself on terrorism. That is one thing that spokespersons like him will have to deal with for a long time to come. With or without constitutional reforms.
RAHUL PANDITA
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/india-this-week-19
"Roots In Kashmir" is an initiative launched by us, the Kashmiri Pandit Youth, to reclaim our Roots that identify us. Even though we have been hounded out of our homes and hearths in the Kashmir valley, our "Roots" are very much anchored in the Vitasta Valley. This is an initiative to protest and raise the general awareness of public to a level where our "fight for our roots" is felt, heard and acted upon. rootsinkashmir@outlook.com
