New Delhi: Tensions were high on Twitter since the weekend as politicians, army veterans and film stars engage in multiple verbal brawls.
A major argument broke out between army veterans last night. It began after Brigadier (retd) Sandy Thapar’s tweet, where he called out Major (retd) Gaurav Arya for attacking defence expert Ajai Shukla and retired Lt. General H.S. Panag on a TV debate.
Well said sir. You need not respond to charlatans who know less about military tactics than a NCO.
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) June 21, 2020
The jibe triggered Arya, and he became really very offensive in his language against the army veterans. His tweets have since been deleted.
Panag tried to reason by describing his distinguished Army credentials.
I am an Infantry officer and fought 1971 War in Banladesh. Transferred to Mechanised Infantry – also Infantry – after 13 years service. Details of Ladakh experience posted for information of my friends.
— Lt Gen H S Panag(R) (@rwac48) June 22, 2020
And then finally, in a gentlemanly manner, Thapar ended the war of words.
This @majorgauravarya and my twitter engagement has crossed certain red lines now. It shouldn’t have. I regret it.
As far as I am concerned, the issue is done & dusted.
May I request all to also consider the matter closed.
And stop flooding my mail box pl?
— Sandy Thapar (veteran) (@sandythapar) June 22, 2020
Meanwhile, editor-in-Chief of the Chinese publication Global Times boasts about China’s military prowess and warns India.
Nationalists of India need to cool down. China’s GDP is 5 times that of India, military spending is 3 times. Don’t use firearms at border. The gap of “kung fu” between the two troops is much smaller than the gap of military capability between them. Please cherish peace.
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) June 22, 2020
Onto domestic politics, another front opens up: Congress’ Rahul Gandhi hopes PM Modi listens to the sagacious advice of former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, conveyed in a letter.
पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह जी की महत्वपूर्ण सलाह। भारत की भलाई के लिए, मैं आशा करता हूँ कि PM उनकी बात को विनम्रता से मानेंगे। pic.twitter.com/0QTewzmcyD
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 22, 2020
However, BJP President J.P. Nadda makes it pretty clear he isn’t having any of it.
Dr Manmohan Singh can certainly share his wisdom on many subjects but the responsibilities of the office of the Prime Minister isn’t one of them. UPA personified systematic institutional erosion of that office, combined with disrespect for our armed forces. NDA has reversed that!
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) June 22, 2020
Congress’ Randeep Singh Surjewala, in turn, advises Nadda to ‘rise to the occasion’.
Dear Sh. Nadda & the BJP,
Stop compromising on ‘National Security’ & India’s ‘Territorial Integrity’.
This would be the biggest disservice to our Armed Forces & our 20 martyrs.
Don’t buckle down, have the strength to ‘rise to the occasion’. We’ll give the Govt every support. https://t.co/IgU1ZDOXJ7
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 22, 2020
Elsewhere, activist Prashant Bhushan slams the government for harping on the wrong issues, after Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav was named in a Delhi riots chargesheet by the police.
They don't care about Covid;they don't care about migrant workers; they don't care about China in our territory; they don't care about our soldiers:
They spend all their time crafting ways of harassing, hounding&framing their critics while encouraging their murderers&hate mongers https://t.co/2C1ZDpEsaZ
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) June 22, 2020
Looks like Assam’s Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma just fell into Rahul Gandhi’s word trap here!
Mr @RahulGandhi -You're so exasperated you can't even spell correctly!
And surrendering has been hallmark of Gandhi-Nehru family. In 1962, Assam was almost given away by Pt Nehru. When Chinese Army had captured Bomdila, Nehru said, "My heart goes out to people of Assam." Shame https://t.co/Tc13FuVgcc
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 21, 2020
IAS officer Ashok Khemka draws a distinction between loyalty to the ‘chair’ and loyalty to the country.
Some show loyalty to whosoever occupies the chair. Loyalty to chair is not always the same thing as loyalty to country. The former is for mutual benefit, the latter difficult and may cause suffering. The leader, a rare breed, can distinguish between the two.
— Ashok Khemka (@AshokKhemka_IAS) June 22, 2020
In a lighter vein, one can only hope this remains just a joke.
Breaking now :- The Chinese are planning to manufacture T-Shirts with #BoycottChineseProducts
???
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) June 21, 2020
BJP leader Varun Gandhi doting on his daughter on the occasion of Father’s day.
The gift of unconditional love comes with a responsibility. Fatherhood makes you a man: teaching you to be responsible, to nurture & to protect.I try and teach my daughter Anasuyaa (5) as my mother once taught me: to forever learn & never feel that you know enough. #FathersDay pic.twitter.com/ysXXrRIpJ0
— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) June 21, 2020
This could be the next BuzzFeed quiz: How do you choose to overcome a barrier?
https://twitter.com/blancos13_los/status/1274670019599667201
Uber, uh?
— einstürzende neuböltōn??? (@AmbJohnBoIton) June 20, 2020
President Donald Trump tries to explain away his `joke’ about asking US agencies to reduce coronavirus testing.
US Democratic Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders gives Trump a taste of his own medicine…
Trump had a bad night in Tulsa. Very low turnout. Even his supporters know that COVID-19 is real and dangerous, and should not be spread at an indoor rally. More importantly, maybe people are catching on that he is a pathological liar and a fraud. Let's keep fighting.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 21, 2020
With inputs from Bismee Taskin
Gaurav Arya is just another hyper person who is cast in the mini-mould of Arnab Goswami. He has apparently honed his skills by watching endless reruns of his mentor’s videos. Kudos to Lt Gen Panag in shutting him up so effectively.