National News

Calling Out Those Mocked PM Modi With Vishwaguru Jibes But Went Mute After Qatar’s Release Of Indian Navy Veterans

February 13, 2024
The Commune

In what is seen as a diplomatic success for the Narendra Modi government, Qatar released the eight former Indian Navy personnel who were facing spying charges. The Qatari Emir’s equation with Modi and backdoor diplomacy, led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, played key roles. Legal assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs further contributed, with a possible change of mind in Qatar after Modi’s meeting with the Qatari Emir in December last year.

After a year-long trial, a Qatari court sentenced them to death on 26 October 2023. The Indian government mounted a legal challenge and engaged in proactive diplomacy, with the release announcement supervised by PM Modi. The veterans thanked Modi, stating their return was possible due to his personal intervention. They were employees of Qatar-based Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, owned by Khamis Al Ajami, a retired squadron leader of the Royal Air Force of Oman.

How Congress Mocked

The Modi government’s “alleged” failure to secure the release of eight Indian Navy veterans facing death sentences in Qatar was blown up by the Congress and its supporters as if it had cast a “shadow” on India’s diplomatic prowess. They claimed that despite Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on fostering robust international relations, particularly with Islamic nations, the death sentence was a glaring vulnerability in India’s diplomatic influence.

They argued that it exposed a gap between the government’s claims of being a global leader and the actual “effectiveness” of its diplomatic efforts. The news of the death sentence back in October 2023 became a focal point for criticism on social media, particularly from India’s liberal ecosystem, raising questions about the government’s handling of such sensitive international issues. 

Here are some of their comments from October 2023. But, after the announcement of the release of all 8 veterans was received with absolute silence from the same detractors. 

Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge back in April 2023 was quick to call the Modi government meek and also said their “meek surrender exposed their tall claims of making India a Vishwaguru”.

He also added, “India & Qatar celebrate 50th year of Diplomatic Ties in 2023. Indians are Qatar’s largest expatriate community. @narendramodi ji, calls Qatari counterpart to extend wishes on FIFA World Cup, but can’t intervene to save the precious lives of our bravehearts! Nationalism?”

However, there is no message on the release of the Navy veterans.

Kapil Sibal

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal was also quick to poke Modi with the Vishwaguru jibe when the news of the death sentence broke out. However, as expected, there is no sign of any positive words for the same Vishwaguru who personally intervened to bring back the Indian Navy veterans to safety. 

Manish Tewari

Congress MP Manish Tewari had complained that his question regarding the death sentence to the Indian Navy veterans was disallowed. Well, he must have got his answer now.

How Congress Supporters And Islamist Zubair Mocked

The Congress ecosystem is such that they pounce on the Modi government at every single opportunity to pinpoint mistakes. Here are a few of them:

Sumanth Raman

Political commentator Sumanth Raman ensured he would frequently taunt the government with the Vishwaguru jibe. When the death sentence was announced, he again taunted the government over it. 

After so much mocking, once the news of the release came out, Sumanth Raman did put out a congratulatory post but for EAM S Jaishankar and not Modi – despite the fact that the Navy veterans themselves were quoted saying it was PM Modi who personally intervened in securing their release.

‘Deshbhakt’ Akash Banerjee

Youtuber Akash Banerjee posted a video in October 2023 where he said, “8 Indian Navy Veterans just got the death sentence in #Qatar. Govt KNEW about this case for the last one year & yet couldn’t get relief. How did our relations with a once friendly nation go SO BAD & our diplomatic might so ineffective beyond soundbytes?”

He deleted this post and made the said video private!

He came up with a follow-up video where if one reads between the lines, it is not necessarily that he praised the Modi government for the diplomatic victory. He blames the Nupur Sharma episode and India’s relations with Israel for the strained relationship with Qatar! 

He also quietly points to an LNG deal signed between India and Qatar was probably the reason for the negotiation power we had. Well, Akash, you are wrong. The deal signed was an extension/renewal of an existing agreement. 

Mohammed Zubair

The self-styled fact-checker also taunted Prime Minister Modi when the news about the death sentence broke out. He wrote, 

However, he has not opened his zippered mouth after the release of the veterans. 

Other Opposition Members Who Mocked

Will the parties in the opposition leave any chance to mock the government? No, they won’t. Here are a few examples.

Owaisi

AIMIM leader, Asaduddin Owaisi had claimed that he had raised the issue about the Navy veterans back in April 2023 and after the death sentence announcement, he questioned PM Modi to prove that Islamic countries loved him and to bring our people back. Well, he did! However, Owaisi forgot to thank PM Modi and has not posted anything related to the release.

Saket Gokhale

“Journalist” turned Trinamool Congress RS MP had also mocked the Modi government using the Vishwaguru jibe and accused the government of not taking cognisance of his letter to the EAM S Jaishankar. Well, things do take time but the Modi government brought back India’s people home. 

Here are some more great “patriots” questioning the Vishwaguru status of India and PM Modi.

From the above instances, it is clear that the concern of Congress and its lackeys was not about the plight of the Indian Navy officers but to target PM Modi to satiate their political itch.

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