Some real questions to Kanhaiya and Umar

The following article was written for MyInd Makers. Pasting it here for reference.

If one were to make a list of top journalists who are not particularly delighted about PM Narendra Modi's ascension to power, then Nikhil Wagle will definitely make it to the top three. So when he writes this – “Now media is overdoing #KanhaiyaKumar. All these patronizing interviews repeat same old questions. Do our interviewers lack imagination? “– then perhaps it is time for the cabal to sit up and reflect how much they are over-doing it.

I haven’t watched any of the multiple “exclusive” interviews that Kanhaiya Kumar gave to the TV channels after being released on an interim bail for 6 months.  Nor have I seen his “midnight” speech (that some hail as the best after the famous 1947 midnight speech). The transcripts and excerpts I have read were enough to put me to sleep. Why did every single news channel repeat the same questions; only to get the same answers, in different words, and then ran exclusives, when his answers were anything but exclusive?

And this brings me to the core point – what are the questions that have to be put to Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and the rest of the gang? I have listed down below a few questions that I would like to ask them.

Questions for Kanhaiya Kumar

1.Tell us about your educational background. When did you finish school? Where did you do your bachelors degree? When did you join JNU?

2.What is your current area of specialization in JNU? How much longer do you anticipate your studies will take?

3.Can you give us some insights into your research papers, given your stay for a long time in the JNU? What kind of career prospects do you envisage after your education here?

4.When were you elected as the President of JNUSU?

5.What kind of actual student problems have you resolved, during your tenure as President?

6.What is your version of the events of February 9th (And depending on this answers, I will probably have a couple of follow up questions).

7.What is your relationship with Umar Khalid? He says that – “Kitne Afzal maaroge, ghar ghar se Afzal niklega” – do you endorse these claims of his?

8.You claimed that Rohith Vemula is your icon. He has written many times deriding the egalitarian character of the Left parties, and particularly Sitaram Yechury. Mr. Yechury is reported to have said that you will campaign for the Left parties. If Rohith is your icon, can you go ahead and campaign for them?

9.On similar lines, many in the English media are hailing you as the next icon of the Left. If your icon is Rohith Vemula, then why haven’t you condemned their portrayal of you as the new Left icon?

10.It is said that in a TV interview, you have claimed that Maoists killed by the state, should get the same respect as soldiers. Is this true? If so, how can you even remotely compare the two?

11.Your speech was loaded with political responses to the Modi government. The many things that you demand “azaadi” from are legacy issues from 60 years – most of which time we were ruled by the Congress party. Shouldn’t you demand answers from them, instead of making comments on “Sabka saath, sabka vikaas”?

Questions to Umar Khalid (because I am sure, the same drama will be repeated once he is out of jail):

1.Tell us about your educational background. When did you finish school? Where did you do your bachelors degree? When did you join JNU?

2.What is your current area of specialization in JNU? For how much more longer do you anticipate your studies will take?

3.Can you give us some insights into your research papers, given your stay for a long time in the JNU? What kind of career prospects do you envisage after your education here?

4.You wanted permission for “poetry reading”. Here is a line from one of your “poems” –“Kitne Afzal maaroge, ghar ghar se Afzal niklega”. Afzal is a convicted terrorist, hanged to death after due judicial process was followed. Through your “poem”, are you threatening to make more terrorists?

5.Do you respect the Indian constitution? If yes, then why are supporting terrorists? If not, then why are you living on a subsidy provided to you by the very Indian government that you despise?

Please feel free to add any more questions that you feel like asking. It is time the newly crowned heroes of the cabal get questioned hard.