Not Another Tehelka
Regular readers of this blog would know that I am not great fan of A.B. Vajpayee. However, those sections of the Indian media which are treating this as if it is another Tehelka-type scoop need a crash course in comprehension skills.
Even if we don't ask why Outlook sat on such a supposedly "damning" piece of evidence for 13 years, all we need to do is watch the speech in question. I did so on Star News, and ABV was definitely kidding. He was speaking in a lighter vein, as was evident by the frequent chuckles from him as well as the audience, and can in no way be interpreted as exhorting hordes to tear the mosque apart.
Of course, the Congress will attack ABV, but commentators in the media should show more intelligence than that.
Frankly, I don't think that at least the BJP would have wanted the mosque to be demolished. In effect, it was equivalent of slaying the hen that was laying golden eggs. The Congress, on the other hand, would have loved it. Which is why I think Narsimha Rao just sat on his hands while mob frenzy gave modern India one of its most shameful moments.
Even if we don't ask why Outlook sat on such a supposedly "damning" piece of evidence for 13 years, all we need to do is watch the speech in question. I did so on Star News, and ABV was definitely kidding. He was speaking in a lighter vein, as was evident by the frequent chuckles from him as well as the audience, and can in no way be interpreted as exhorting hordes to tear the mosque apart.
Of course, the Congress will attack ABV, but commentators in the media should show more intelligence than that.
Frankly, I don't think that at least the BJP would have wanted the mosque to be demolished. In effect, it was equivalent of slaying the hen that was laying golden eggs. The Congress, on the other hand, would have loved it. Which is why I think Narsimha Rao just sat on his hands while mob frenzy gave modern India one of its most shameful moments.
