Hafiz Saeed counters Mani Shankar Aiyar on Pakistan television show
Dove was pitted against hawk live on television on Thursday evening when noted anchorperson Hamid Mir brought in “India's most wanted'' Hafiz Saeed on telephone to present the other voice to Rajya Sabha member and advocate of peace with Pakistan, Mani Shankar Aiyar.
As is invariably the case with anything India-Pakistan, the verdict was divided on how that six-minute encounter went. While Mr. Aiyar's reference to the Jama'at-ud-Da'wah (JuD) head as ‘Hafiz Sahab' has brought him brickbats from Indian netizens, their Pakistani counterparts thought otherwise. And, not many took offence to the parliamentarian reiterating India's demand for Hafiz Saeed's arrest.
The brief encounter saw Hafiz Saeed justifying JuD's opposition to granting Most Favoured Nation status to India till pending issues including Kashmir are resolved. Alleging that India was building dams on the other side of Kashmir to divert waters and dry up Pakistan, he said: “It will create a crisis. They will make their land fertile. They will sell their cheap products here and try to turn Pakistan into their market.''
Asked how pending issues could be resolved without talks, the JuD leader maintained he had never opposed dialogue with India but alleged that New Delhi had never shown seriousness in resolving issues.
“India has always indulged in delaying tactics while pushing its agenda.''
Given a chance to rebut, Mr. Aiyar countered: “Hafiz Sahab belongs to a minority group and the majority of Pakistanis want peace with India. Like Hafiz Sahab, we also have some Hafizs who do not want progress but thankfully common people here want better links. We want him arrested and taken to a terrorism court.''
When it was pointed out that there was no case against him, Mr. Aiyar shot back that is what India was upset about. Hafiz Saeed's defence was that a High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan had acquitted him after being arrested by the Pakistan Government on charges made by India. “India is unwilling to accept our courts, our laws…the reality is that India does not accept Pakistan's existence,'' the JuD leader said to which Mr. Aiyar said India not only accepted Pakistan as an independent country but also wanted to see it become strong and prosperous.
Pat came Hafiz Saeed's reply. “If you accept Pakistan then why not accept our courts' verdict. If you do not like our courts, then take me to any foreign court and produce your evidence before that court. But you are not willing to accept any court's decision. Then how do they say they accept Pakistan. You should not feel offended by my words but there should be an answer to this.''
At this point, for reasons best known to Mr. Mir, he cut short the discussion with Hafiz Saeed and did not insist on a reply from Mr. Aiyar who was in Pakistan to deliver the second in a series of lectures organised by the Jinnah Institute on India-Pakistan relations.
Keywords: Mani Shakar Aiyar, Pak TV show, Aiyer-Hafiz face off
Not giving opportunity to reply to Mr Aiyar is unfairness of the host
in breach of the principle of natural justice. Hope the host does not
represent the media at large in Pakistan. This way you can only
satisfy your vanity & prejudice. Of course, Hafiz being a criminal
did not deserve respect but merely addressing him "Sahab" only shows
politeness & culture of addressing someone. Media should behave in a
more responsible way and should try to make public opinion congenial
to peace and prosperity of the people of both the nations.
Aiyar Saheb merits respect for his integrity, wisdom, intellect and also for his unstinting efforts to bring India and Pakistan on the same page. The likes of hafiz saeed are not fit to clean Aiyar Saheb's shoes, really. A democratic, secular, undivided and non aligned India is best. Pakistan must make a genuine peace with India, its bigger and better part and reconnect in a pragmatic manner with its history and civilization.
It was a stage-managed coup, I have seen the video of the interview! Was surprised that some of us even praised Aiyar's "defiance" to Hafiz on the you-tube post! Sad part is his statement "Hafiz Sahab belongs to a minority group and the majority of Pakistanis want peace with India. Like Hafiz Sahab, we also have some Hafizs who do not want progress but thankfully common people here want better links. We want him arrested and taken to a terrorism court." He demeans us by equating us to a vitriol spouting fanatic! And in the end played the expected taped recording which played "We want him arrested and taken to a terrorism court" Shameful act on his part! True we desire for peace and a relationship on equal basis but we want justice too for Mumbai attacks! Another sore point is the Baluchistan argument! Wonder why Nehru didn't dissolve Congress then! Seeing our country's mage and its reputation being torn down by such people!
No dove was pitted against hawk, it was hawk against hawk, dogma against dogma. They probably both won the arguments in their own minds.
Appears to be a good show indeed! But had Mr.Ravi Shankar Prasad too been on the show, it would have improved its quality and content. It is high time to handover Ajmal Kasab to Pak Supreme Court to decide his fate as he is an utter liability here.
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