Ghalib or not: Couplet quoted by PM stirs up dust


Mumbai, Jun 27 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday used an Urdu couplet to take a jibe at senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, and wrongly attributed it to Mirza Ghalib, experts including veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar pointed out.

"The 'sher' that the Prime Minister saheb has quoted in his Rajya Sabha speech is wrongly attributed to Ghalib in the social media. Actually both the lines are not even in the proper meter," Akhtar tweeted.

The Prime Minister used the couplet to say Azad has blurred vision.

"I think Ghulam Nabi Azadji is having blurred vision, maybe he is seeing everything from political spectacles. Ghalib said something for such people, 'Ta umr Ghalib ye bhool karta raha, dhool chehre pe thi, aaina saaf karta raha," Modi said.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was one of the popular social media users to comment: "Clever use of a Mirza Ghalib couplet by the PM in the Rajya Sabha."

However, experts who have read Ghalib closely have dismissed it is by the legendary Urdu poet, who died 150 years ago.

Ghalib, as per theatre writer, actor, director Sayeed Alam, is the "most quoted and misquoted" poets, especially at a time when Urdu is decaying in the country.

Saif Mehmood, Supreme Court lawyer and author of "Beloved Delhi: A Mughal City and her Greatest Poets", told IANS: "Not only does this couplet have nothing to do with Ghalib, attributing it to Ghalib is a slur on the man, his poetry and his skills."

Mehmood said the question is not of the couplet's meter alone.

Popular radio jockey Sayema tweeted: "PM wrongly quotes Mirza Ghalib! Whoever wrote the speech didn't do thorough research."

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Sanjeev Kamath, Udupi / Seattle

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    Pronounce "Vishveshwaraiah" please. I am not asking who/what is he!!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangaluru

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    I just tok the content and I liked it.
    "dhool chehre pe thi, aaina saaf karta raha".... perfectly fits to everyone in Congress!!!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • D'Souza, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    But even in his second term Modi still keeps criticising Congress and Gandhis. He should work for the progress of the nation and take the nation forward. Don't you think so?

    Why cant Modiji forget Congress for God's sake.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangaluru

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    This is nothing but self inflicted insults.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr. Haneef Shabab, Bhatkal

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    This couplet is creation of some 'Whats App University Scholars' and attributed to Ghalib the great poet of Urdu and Persian Language of all times.
    Giving manipulated, concocted, unauthentic and unscientific references is the legacy of our honorable PM.
    So blame him not.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    FEKU a'akhir FEKU kyon?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Expose Feku, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    Feku once more popat ho gaya

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    Expose Feku, Mangalore
    Stop Insulting Chaddi's ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    Why make a Fool of Yourself.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sangram Sangam, Kundapur

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    Mr Jossey,Why are you using expired tablet
    Than you will speak like Rahul
    Keep on hate,there is no change in 2024 also

    DisAgree [11] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • D'Souza, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    Mr. Sangram..

    You are right. There will be no change in 2024 and also for years and years.

    Mr. Modji will go on making mistakes in his speeches. .
    Using Internet and digital camera in the 80s..
    Clouds
    Renowned Basaveshwar
    Field Marshal KM Cariappa

    DisAgree [6] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sangram Sangam, Kundapur

    Thu, Jun 27 2019

    If Italian lady come to power than everything ok for Gulamas

    DisAgree [5] Agree [6] Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Ghalib or not: Couplet quoted by PM stirs up dust



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.