Normally, I don’t write on such trivial matters as this, but since I had some time to kill today, I thought I’d write this gentleman (and I use this term very loosely) a letter:
Dear Mr Puri,
To begin with, what or who gave you the authority to speak on behalf of the entire Sikh community? Who appointed you their sole and exclusive spokesperson? And what sort of brazen arrogance and misplaced self-importance does it take to arrogate to oneself the right to represent every person of the Sikh faith? Also, do you have any data, evidence, or mandate to back up your claim of being privy to the inner emotions and sensitivities of every Sikh?
Secondly, I presume you know how to use the internet (since you are an ex-diplomat, and I have very high regard for foreign service officers of this country) and can most certainly use Google to find out what your own party and parivar members have been calling every single human who is not a member of your party and parivar since, let me check my notes, 1925. In fact, why go that further back and why generalise so much? You could check what your party and parivar people have been calling Mr Rahul Gandhi since 2014. Or let us cut that even shorter, the last 12 months? Or would you prefer six? Here, let me make it even simpler. I am sure you know how to use ChatGPT. Here’s a readymade prompt:
“List all instances (with verified sources) of Rahul Gandhi being called a traitor, anti-national, foreigner, or anti-India in the past 6 to 12 months. Also, list the names and party affiliation of people who have called him so.”
You will see a veritable rogues’ gallery. All of them belonging to your party and parivar. Or is that allowed because they are from your party, and being so automatically makes them more patriotic, more Indian, more loyal, more nationalistic, more trustworthy than anyone else?
(Mind you, I am not even talking of the Rs.2 trolls on social media, but actual, real card-carrying members and appointed office-bearers of your party).
And lastly, do you think the Sikh community, which you claim you speak for as a whole, is proud of your ‘achievements’ that have recently come to light? Once again, I shall leave it to ChatGPT to educate you. Here’s a readymade prompt:
“What connection does Hardeep Singh Puri have with the convicted sex offender, influence peddler, child molester, sex trafficker, and all-around evil person, Jeffrey Epstein?”
I am sure your conduct is making the entire Sikh community proud, right? Oh wait, don’t answer that.
Honestly, you have some nerve showing your face in public, let alone calling press conferences and issuing statements about how all Sikhs feel.
Regards,
Kedar
(Someone who does not claim to represent all ex-Hindus, or Indians, or heterosexual males, or Maharashtrians, or Punekars, or even all Kedars, for that matter. Because I do not have delusions of grandeur. And I am not a complete idiot who has lost his grasp on reality. Or shame.)
