Recently, a Pakistani Singer was arrested along with his manager as the duo were carrying cash in excess of $100,000 each. Under Indian law, carrying out any amount with you is legal, as long as you declare it to customs on the way out. This is exactly similar to US as well. What followed was a real comedy.
If you are logical like me you would have expected discussions and reporting around, what are the events the singer participated in India, who paid him the money. Do they have the legal resources to acquire such foreign exchange that too in cash ? Is that matched in the legal statements they provided so far in terms of tax returns etc. to Indian authorities ? Simple right ? You couldn’t be more wrong my friend ! Surprised, you should be..
The media, went on a crusade highlighting how this is impacting peace initiatives with Pakistan, tearing your hair out ? Yes, incredibly that is what happened. There were big panel discussions with “intellectuals” like Mahesh Bhat, who with their vested interests of opening up the Pakistani market for Hindi movies toed the erroneous line of “ Hell with national security, he should be released with a simple fine – if required”.
It would be worth it to broadcast the movie SARFAROSH on national television so that the public in general and such intellectuals in particular are made aware of Gulfam Hassan (excellently portrayed by Naseeruddin Shah, btw). A Pakistani singer who only reciprocates the “Aman ki Aasha” embraces with an elaborate plan to increase terrorism in India”. That movie also portrayed excellently, how vote bank politics allows such individuals the freedom to go about it; most importantly how ordinary Muslims are cast aspersions because of such acts by our “officialdom”, a negligible few in the Indian Muslim community and the Pakistanis.
Today, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been released with just a fine, with
no statement on which hawala network was behind this transaction, who
all funded it -- etc. all hushed up. There is no statement from the government
on why it chose to go with just a fine. There is total silence
otherwise. I suspect, because a famous media house was the firm which
engaged him, this time around. Rahat has himself declared that he always
accepts payments in cash only, has carried it to Pakistan as well in the
past. No press conference on details of investigation around this as well.
Brace yourselves for another 26/11 folks, because this inaction is the
only consistent and firm action that our governments have done. We can
be assured that after another terrorist strike, Pakistan will be even
more sternly warned with such inaction. Meanwhile, the Gulfam Hassans
will have a field day.
Mr. Chidambaram, are you listening ?
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