Kejriwal’s Hanuman Tweet: because Hindus are no Muslims and Kejriwal is no Tiwari
Sometime in December last year, an unknown personage by the name of Kamlesh Tiwari had blasphemed against Prophet Muhammad. Lakhs of angry Muslims took to the streets in many cities across the country demanding stringent punishment for Kamlesh Tiwari. In several small towns, protests against Kamlesh Tiwari turned violent. In Malda for instance homes and businesses belonging to Hindus were targeted. In Purnea on the other hand, it was the local police that bore the brunt of protestors. Some clerics even appeared on TV channels and proclaim, ‘Gustakh-e-Rasool ki ek hi saza, Sir tan se juda’. Their confidence and the content of their speeches made one feel that either India was a Sharia-run state where beheadings, crucifixions, stoning to death etc. were the norm, or India was a Banana republic where anyone and everyone could do as one feels. No Liberal stood up to criticize the proclamations of clerics. No JNU students came out to defend Kamlesh Tiwari’s freedom of expression. Politicians went on Manmohan Singh mode. There were no candle marches and no protest rallies. The Police picked up Kamlesh Tiwari and put him behind bars. There were no protests against Police’s high-handedness. Even after he had been arrested, sporadic incidents of protests and violence against what Kamlesh Tiwari said continued to rock the nation. Soon, Kamlesh Tiwari faded from public memory.
Kejriwal’s Hanuman Tweet – Anything for political mileage
Kejriwal’s Hanuman Tweet: The Honourable Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal shared a cartoon on his Twitter account recently. The cartoon depicted a man, flying with a mace (Gada) in his hand, with his tail on fire, returning from the JNU and telling Modi that he has succeeded in diverting Public’s attention from important issues to JNU. The symbolism of the cartoon was not lost on anyone. In the Ramayana, it was Lord Hanuman, who had set Lanka on fire, when Ravan had tried to burn his tail. Lord Hanuman, was and continues to be one of the most worshipped Gods of Hindu Pantheon. That someone like Kejriwal, who occupies high office, should choose to compare Lord Hanuman to an arsonist is unacceptable. Aside from the negative portrayal of Hindu Gods, the cartoon also shows that Modi is standing on a Make in India stage with fire all around, which is itself in poor taste as a major tragedy was averted when the Make in India stage caught fire in Mumbai on Sunday. Aside from Twitterati and other Social Media users, there has been no expression of outrage against Kejriwal’s offensive tweet. There have been no protests, no award-wapsis, no denouncements etc. Liberals on the other hand have openly defended Kejriwal’s tweet as Freedom of Expression.
Kejriwal’s Hanuman Tweet: Politicians suppressing Majority’s beliefs
Our politicians and so-called Intellectuals and Liberals are playing a dangerous game. By constantly and consistently suppressing the beliefs of a docile majority and blatantly and violently supporting unjust demands of an outspoken, yet tiny minority, the Liberals are playing with fire. They seem to be working overtime to create a situation in which nation will be engulfed by strife and violence. If the Liberals want to uphold Freedom of Expression, they must do so for Charlie Hebdo, they must do so for the editor at Lokmat (who was punished for depicting ISIS funds going into a piggy bank) and they must do so for Kamlesh Tiwari. If they wish to support the cause of religious tolerance, they must loudly condemn Kamlesh Tiwari, they must censure Kejriwal and they must denounce M F Hussain. By selectively supporting misplaced sentiments of Minority elements and stifling just demands of the majority, our politicians, Liberals, intellectuals and Mediapersons are creating an insurmountable chasm between communities for which the country will pay a heavy price.
Kejriwal’s Hanuman Tweet: Kejriwal’s legendary hypocrisy
As for Mr. Kejriwal, your hypocrisy in these matters is legendary. For someone who could visit Akhlaque within hours of his death, You could not find time to meet Lance Naik Hanumanthappa who was breathing his last in the city that you govern. You wasted no time in expressing solidarity with students at Hyderabad and JNU, while protesting Municipality workers brought the city you govern to a standstill. You did not waste a second before asking PM Modi to act on Kamlesh Tiwari, but you spared no thought for millions of Indians who could possibly get offended by your tweet that ridicules the majesty of Lord Hanuman. For once, can you shun your fake posturing and empty talks and act in the interests of the country? Or is it too much to ask from an anti-Corruption crusader turned politician who would put even the likes of Mulayam and Lalu to shame?