Rinse and Repeat – by Sindhyar Talpur
Once a director of popular films was asked in a casual meeting- why his last three films seemed similar to another. His candid reply: if public is willing to pay money to watch same film over and over, who am I to stop milking it?
The current “political turmoil” involving a memo is headlines news. The issue is being treated as cause of imminent fall of the government. Memogate is term being used because like watergate, it emanates from Washington and any scandal from there should have suffix gate, secondly and this is for the wishful thinkers, didn’t Nixon resign after watergate? If wishes were horses…
That is perhaps the similarities end. In case of watergate, Nixon had been found to have authorised illegal wire tapping and even crime of breaking and entering into democratic party offices. Then lied about doing it and the. Was found on tape to have done it. Ironically it was his own tape that got him.
In case of Hussain Haqqani’s memo, so far we have a man Mansur Ijaz who previously failed to get his name in papers because American media largely believe their own country’s government, when they rubbished his claim that he had provided access to Sudan government. Clinton administration said they had much better channels thank you very much!
Mansur tried again, claiming now that his brilliant contacts were used by Pakistan government to get access to Mike Mullen. Yes Mike Mullen who claimed he always remained available and approachable to whole of Pakistan government establishment. Evidently, that was only through Mansoor Ijaz. I have yet to figure out how Mansoor was able to be the communication link being in US, while Mullen was in AfPak region. Perhaps Ijaz also had, was the person who sold Captain Kirk the transporter device.
But Mullen who had nothing but spiteful words for Pakistan, evidently said he did get a memo. But did he? Was it through Ijaz? Was it from Hussain Haqqani? Or was it fabricated? For one thing memo has no signature of the ambassador.
Then there are the contents. Memo seems to want American help in ouster of General Kiyani, and this help is sought by President Zardari.
Yes this another repeat, from President Zardari who only October last year was in the rumour land seeking removal of Chief Justice of Pakistan. Only that he hadn’t and court fearing the worse did make a notification over non-action. Few blushes and matter was forgotten.
But no, removal part deux and this time it’s the Faujis in chief.
Finally, how much of this film is borrowed from Leghari episode, where Farooq Leghari was repeatedly convinced to remove the elected Prime Minister while she mourned her dead brother. Hey it looks like she sanctioned it, can’t prove it? That’s not your concern, just go with your guts in this one.
The story as as much traction as a boulder running down a steep hill. But that shouldn’t ever be a reason for killing of a good story. There is good reason to doubt Mansoor Ijaz’s story and intentions. It is also not clear what Mullen did get and what his intentions really are It is rumoured that Haqqani never had any contact with Ijaz and he offers forensic search of his electronic devices as to prove the same.
Even otherwise, there is still no link as to whether President sanctioned such a move.
Is it constitutionally actually wrong for President to seek support to remove his subordinates? (he being commander in chief)
Don’t rain in the parade, this is so much fun. And if we get rid of the President Zardari, even better. If not least he had some sleepless nights, media had excellent ratings, Faujis showed us who is the real boss and Ijaz finally got his 5 minutes in fame.
Who is the victim here? The constitutional republic? Who cares for that? The democratic sovereign? Don’t talk Greek to me, it’s a bankrupt language these days
What has democracy given to Pakistan?
Excellent article Sindhyar!
Fantastic article Sindhyar! It sums up the situation nicely.
Amritsar (October 21, 2011): Bibi Jagdish Kaur, a prime witness in November 1984 carnage, is reported to have said to “Times of India” (TOI) that everyone who had been watching DoorDarshan, India’s Government own TV Channel, saw how filmstar Amitabh Bachchan provoked the violance against the Sikhs.
“I wonder why no one in India lodged case against Amitabh Bachchan for provoking killing of Sikhs,” Jagdish Kaur is quoted to have said on Thursday, while talking to TOI.
It is notable that following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination on October 31, 1984 by Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Beant Singh, India erupted in genocidal vioance against Sikhs.
Rajiv Gandhi and Amitabh Bachhan were close friends
Rajiv Gandhi and Amitabh Bachhan were close friends
Reminiscing the terrible sad memories of violance against the Sikhs, Jagdish Kaur said, “I watched live relay on Doordarshan and saw Amitabh Bachchan raising his arm and shouting the slogan, ‘khun ka badla khun sae laengae’ (Blood for blood) two times. “
Jagdish Kaur is further reported to have said that everyone who had been watching Doordarshan was witness to how the bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan provoked the anti- Sikh riots. “I am not concerned that a case has been registered against him in Australia but all I want to know why nobody noticed Amitabh’s provoking statement in India,” Kaur asked.
She said that ever since she saw Amitabh spewing venom in full public glare she never watched any of his movies or programmes on TV. “Any mention of him or his work reminds me of his role in the 1984 genocide,” she said.
Recently a US-based Sikh human rights group, named Sikhs for Justice, lodged a criminal complaint against Bachchan in Australia for instigating and abetting 1984 anti Sikh riots. Australia’s ‘Criminal Code Act 1995′ states that Australian courts can have jurisdiction over cases involving crimes against humanity irrespective of whether the offense was committed in Australia or not.
Jagdish Kaur, then 42, had seen her husband and son being murdered in cold blood by a frenzied mob inside her house in Palam Colony (West Delhi) on November 1st 1984. She also saw her three brothers Narinder Pal Singh, 35, Raghwinder Singh, 28 and Kuldeep Singh ,21, all contractors with MES, burning to death by the mob while they were trying to save themselves.
Excellent article. You need a proof-reader or maybe you could read it yourself before sending it to the editor(please check fact)
Shahid, democracy hasn’t been given a chance in Pakistan yet
I think youve created some genuinely interesting points. Not as well many people would really think about this the way you just did. Im really impressed that theres so very much about this subject thats been uncovered and you did it so nicely, with so considerably class. Good one you, man! Really fantastic stuff right here.