dailyO
Politics

Bilawal Bhutto: God save us from pappu politicians

Advertisement
Kaveree Bamzai
Kaveree BamzaiSep 21, 2014 | 10:38

Bilawal Bhutto: God save us from pappu politicians

Bilawal Bhutto

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's comment on Kashmir only highlights the tenuous grasp pappu politicians have on history (and of course units of measurement). So when Bilawal says he will take back Kashmir, one presumes he means it was once part of Pakistan. It is perhaps no surprise that he actually studied history at Christchurch College, Oxford--perhaps he was too busy with extra curricular activities to spend time with his books.

Advertisement

But then as we know from India, political skills decline with every generation. Take our very own pappu-in-chief Rahul Gandhi, who made the remarkable statement in 2007 that his family was responsible for India's independence, the division of Pakistan, and taking India into the 21st century. His exact words: "I belong to the family which has never moved backwards, which has never gone back on its words. You know that when any member of my family had decided to do anything, he does it. Be it the freedom struggle, the division of Pakistan or taking India to the 21st century.''

Like Bilawal, who was addressing party workers in Multan, Rahul was speaking in what was presumably an inspiring mode: at a public meeting at Badaun during his campaign for the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. It appears to be a professional hazard with dynasty's grandchildren or great grandchildren: they think they learn enough history at the dinner table and never have to actually refer to textbooks.

Not that Bilawal can be faulted for trying to rally the troops. Pakistan politics is at a fragile point: with the army again showing the democratically elected government its place. Kashmir, even if it is drowning, is a safe bogey to raise and enthuse the cadres. I am not the only Kashmiri disgusted at being a fallback for every failing or failed Pakistani politician.

Advertisement

And perhaps it is just a coincidence that Bilawal (who often went by the alias Bilawal Lawalib at Oxford) was born in Karachi in a hospital that had duffer in its name--Lady Dufferin Hospital to be precise.

It's apparently Bilawal's 26th birthday tomorrow. All Kashmiris should get together and gift him a history textbook. Oh yes, and while we're at it, an Urdu tutor so we may laugh less riotously next time he makes a speech.

Last updated: September 21, 2014 | 10:38
IN THIS STORY
Please log in
I agree with DailyO's privacy policy