Amidst heated arguments, pitched debates, and violent street protests, some political parties in India still haven’t lost their sense of humour.
BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit has shipped a pack of razors to former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “Dear Omar Abdullah, it is very disheartening to see you like this while most of your corrupt friends are enjoying life outside,” its Twitter handle said. “Kindly accept our sincere contribution, in case of any assistance feel free to contact your counterpart, the Congress, for further help in this regard,” it added. The unit also attached a picture of an order of a pack of razors that was made on Amazon, with the shipping address as Omar Abdullah’s current residence in Srinagar.
Last week, a picture of the third-generation dynast had emerged on social media, showing him heavily bearded. Abdullah, though, looked happy and healthy, and was beaming with the the Kashmir snow in the background.
Opposition politicians hadn’t lost their chance to use Abdullah’s newly-acquired beard to try to make a point. ” I could not recognize Omar in this picture. Am feeling sad. Unfortunate that this is happening in our democratic country. When will this end?” bemoaned Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
“Deeply troubled to see this picture of Omar Abdullah. Equally concerned about Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti & other Kashmiri leaders who are incarcerated without trial or due process,” said DMK President MK Stalin.
Author Saba Naqvi went a step further. “This picture of Omar Abdullah is testament to our inhuman policy for Kashmir,” she said. ” It’s testament to our losing all moral standing in world,” she claimed.
But those obsessing over Abdullah’s beard seemed to forget that Kashmir has been rapidly moving towards complete normalcy after the historic abrogation of Article 370. Internet services were resumed in Kashmir two days ago, and schools, colleges, and other institutions remain open. More significantly, Amazon and Flipkart deliver in Srinagar, and as the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit showed, can make razors accessible to those who want them. If Omar Abdullah chooses to not shave for six months for a photo-op, it’s his prerogative. But with him now the proud owner of five brand new razors, the opposition can now rest easy in the knowledge that give himself a sartorial makeover whenever he wants.
