| Font Size |
The shoe did not hit the minister and the journalist, a senior reporter with Dainik Jagran, was taken into custody.
The press conference was being held at the Congress headquarters where Chidambaram was presenting his party's report card on terrorism. The journalist asked the minister whether letting Tytler off the hook ahead of the elections was not politically motivated.
To which Chidambaram replied that CBI had only presented a report to the court and it was up to the court to either accept or reject it. The journalist wanted to ask another question but Chidambaram said he did not want to get into an argument and refused to take further questions.
The journalist then threw his shoe at the minister, saying 'I protest'.
It is the first of its kind incident in India but throwing shoes at political leaders has become a high-profile form of protest. The trend was started by an Iraqi journalist who had thrown shoes at former US President George Bush at a press conference in Baghdad last year.
Thereafter, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was meted a similar treatment while delivering a speech at Cambridge University. The Israeli ambassador to Sweden was also hit by a shoe when he was addressing an audience in Stockholm University.
Jarnail Singh released
Journalist Jarnail Singh who hurled a shoe at Home Minister P Chidambaram at a press conference was released by police after brief detention.
Station House Officer of Tughlaq Road Police station Anil Kumar Yadav told reporters that the scribe has been freed for the time being.
"No case has been registered against him. He has regretted about his action," the official said, adding that the journalist was questioned for his action and then he was released.
After being freed, the Sikh journalist of a Hindi daily, who has caused a flutter in the political circle, said the issue that he raised was an appropriate issue and the victims should get justice.
"May be my way of protest was wrong," said the scribe who later left with his journalist friends and Sikh supporters.
Meanwhile, Sunita Tiwari, who claimed to be his lawyer and had come to meet him at the police station, alleged that she was not allowed to talk to her client.
"I was misbehaved. The SHO asked the constables to take me out of the room. I wanted to talk to Jarnail as he was mentally disturbed," she said.
BJP condemns shoe hurling incident
BJP condemned hurling of a shoe at Home Minister P Chidambaram by a Sikh journalist at a press conference in New Delhi. "We condemn the incident," BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj said in New Delhi.
Jarnail Singh of a Hindi daily hurled a shoe at Chidambaram protesting against CBI's clean chit to senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler accused in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.
Chidambaram was addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters.
(With PTI inputs)
Discuss this story on expressindia forums
|
|
Congrats ..those who cheated the nation on Sikh riot deserve this .This is the refelctio of an average indian's frustruation . I hope congress wont start another riot on Sikhs on this
Another incidence of shoe hurling on a politician. Whether this should be so or not be so is another thing but this new trend has opened new horizons for the ailing shoe industry . In future we may expect some shoe related questions in journalist recruitment interviews, snooping on their barnd/weight of the shoe they wear or requests posted outside the press confrences calling "journalist with shoes are not allowed". Poor kids (we have a big number of them) may find a better profession to sell out old/stolen/garbage picked shoes outside party offices or places of press conferences.
Politicising investigating agencies and justice systems are not healthy in democratic environment.
I THINK BEST OF LAWYERS SHOULD UNITE
Well done Jarnail !!!!! Our lamed Home Minister deserved it or rather Congress party . Our Sikh Brothers are the Lions of India Give them justice or face shoes in future as well
Jaranil would have served better by doing responsible journalism. It is a cheap stunt and poor replica of Iraqi reprehensible episode. Jarnail would now seek avenues for entering in sikh politics
BAD AIM. I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE INSTITUTE FOR SHOE THROWING ON THESE CORRUPT LEADERS. ANY STUDENT FROM ANY COUNTRY CAN BE ADMITTED SO THAT SHOE WILL HIT THE AIM.
I strongly protest the half-hearted attempt by journalist Jarnail Singh. He just "passed on" the shoe, he did not hurl it, he did not throw it. Stupid fellow. He was in the first row and he could have at least attempted to pass it on in such a way that it would have struck Chidambaram on his chest. There was simply no power in the attempt to throw the shoe. This was a golden opportunity to humiliate India's most supercilious sham, the eternally idiotic Chidambaram. Why did you miss the target, Jarnail? Why didn't you take proper aim? You have let us down, Jarnail.
According to Congress 17 Crore are minorities 2 Crore (Sikhs) are not. Clean chit to Tytler is a clear example of how they neglect the feelings of Sikhs who contributed more than any other community in protecting the nation and its peple ever since the birth of Sikhism. The so called pro minority party has got no right to speak about Gujarath Riots as they themselves carried out the messacre of Sikhs in 1984 and can not wash the blood off thier white Khadi shirts.
Better shoes than bullets I say....
Next to PC there was one 'chay wala" of 10 Janpath Kitchen standing, he also should not have been spared! Any way dont miss the chance next time! Let us throw this UPA bunch of anti-nationals out of power! Drive Sonia Maino Khan away from our country, let her go to her place Italy!
It is not acceptable form of protest. In democratic India people several options to protest. Insulting a person who toils day in day out for the country is bad in taste. A stunt for short term popularity and a passport to celeberity status is all one looking for then thsi is ill conceived attempt. And for others standing by and looking gleeful must remember what to support and what to condemn. Whether Congress or Non congress government, none of them could establish prima facie case against, then whom do you blame. Blame the current juidical systems which would spend crores on a identified terrorist like kasab. Then why to feel bad about your country men.
Bad trend. Fellows who support Jarnail, must remember that what goes around comes around. This is a dangerous trend, and should be condemned in all forms.
Chidambaram is one of the few Gentlemen Politicians existing in Congress. Jagdish Tytler has been exonerated but Chidambaram gets this kind of treatment. People know who were responsible for pogrom of sikh community in the year 1984. But media never highlight this. They are obsessed with only Gujarat Riots and hence give maximum publicity to that. - P K Subraya Holla
I dont feel this shoe incident as shame. As a home minister, if he fails to server the duty perfectly, the shoe is not thrown on P.Chidambaram, it was thrown on Home minister.. who released Tytler a clean hand in 1984 riots..which is absolutely not true..is known to every individual in judiciary dept..
Is a shock in deed, need introspection from Public,Politics,,journalism. Civility ashamed
The acquittal of Jagdish Tytler, the prime accused in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, by the CBI should send shock waves across the country. The CBI’s proclaimed autonomy is a sham. It sought to close the case in 2007 but had to continue the probe. That a Sikh prime minister can silence his conscience and campaign for the party in Delhi is a sad commentary on the moral fibre of our politicians. The Congress party’s dreams of having a committed judiciary is on the verge of realisation.
On behalf of Congress, CBI is giving clean chits, first to Qutrochi unfreezing his accounts
Sikh anguish is definiely is a matter of concern with CBI's clean chit after 25 years of probe. Notwithstanding this shoe hurling on Home Minister is not in good taste!!!!
It was very stupid of Jarnail Singh to have done this, and it was noble of P.C. to have forgiven him
AIADMK should field Subramaniam Swamy to defeat Chidambaram in Sivaganga
Excellent! He deserves it. However, this is only the begining that people start throwing shoes and stones at Congressiwala!
PC had promised us of a "befitting response" to the 26/11 blasts.... Sir i hope now you realize how the ordinary cirizen felt when granades were being flung at them..??Maybe the lame duck Home minister and the useless congress need such shock therapy to wake them up from their stupor of inaction, back-ward thinking, petty politics of apeasement and corruption..... My only regret is that the shoe missed its mark!
I guess this is a reflection of what millions of Indian want to do to our dishonest and corrupt politicians. Out current banana democracy really needs a strong minded leader who is honest; non corrupt and strong willed to make unpopular decisions otherwise it will be just a matter of couple of decades when our country will start derailing.
This should have happened many years ago. But it good to be late than neve. Well Done Jarnail.