Changed times

The law, as everyone knows, has a long arm. So does the past, or so it seems from the row that erupted over Muhammad Ali Jinnah's portrait at the students' union office in Aligarh Muslim University. But the controversy has left a number of academics in Aligarh baffled. Senior scholars point out that plaques of Jinnah are in place in the Bombay High Court and in Mumbai's Congress Bhavan. Jinnah's barrister certificate, issued in 1896, was on display at the Bombay High Court museum which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The document was placed alongside that of Mahatma Gandhi given their contributions to the court. Incidentally, Jinnah had played a prominent role in defending Bal Gangadhar Tilak in a case in 1916, convincing the judges to rule in Tilak's favour. An old office of the Congress in Mumbai's Lamington Road even has a hall named after Jinnah. This was built to commemorate a mass demonstration that was led by Jinnah and his wife against the then colonial governor, Lord Wellington. That is not all. In December 1948 - the embers of a communal conflagration were glowing still - there was not a murmur of protest when the Constituent Assembly adopted a condolence resolution in memory of the departed Qaid-e-Azam. Scholars puzzled with the episode in AMU seem to have forgotten that the times have changed. This, after all, is New India.

Tourist spot

The newly built sprawling headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg has turned into an object of attraction for the party cadre, especially for those who hail from India's hinterland. Having seen images of the imposing structure on television, leaders and workers alike are known to make a beeline for the BJP HQ when they are in the capital. Among the many rooms in the building, the one occupied by the party president, Amit Shah, which is located on the fifth floor, is the most revered spot among the visitors who often vie for an opportunity to enter the space to get a feel of the surroundings. Not everyone is lucky though; it is believed that only those with 'connections' with influential leaders can hope to reach the room and walk up to the chair that Shah occupies. Moreover, the chances of visiting the hallowed precinct are also rare. This is because when the boss is around, only those with prior appointments and the ones who have been blessed with Shah's nod are allowed inside. One such lucky party worker happened to be from rural Bihar. After the conclusion of his memorable 'trip' to the president's chamber - apparently it can rival the plush suites of five star hotels - he was heard wondering whether Shah's room was even bigger than that of the PM, Narendra Modi. Ouch!

Damp squib

Event management is one thing that the government led by Narendra Modi is known to excel in. But if the National Film Awards presentation ceremony is any indication, even this talent is on the wane. The event has faced flak over a change in protocol. Several recipients were miffed about the fact that the president would not be able to hand over the prize to every winner. Things turned from bad to worse on account of several goof-ups. The president was expected to come in mid-way into the session. So the minister concerned had to present the bulk of the awards before that. Sources say it was a truly rushed job. The haste resulted in other troubles. Some of the awards got mixed up, leaving the winners stranded on stage while the event managers scrambled to get their act together.

Mix and match

Rahul Gandhi cannot be faulted if he, at times, imagines himself to be a tightrope walker. The Congress president is forever having to strike a fine balance between the Old Guard and the new crop of leaders in the Grand Old Party. When Kamal Nath, a senior leader, was given the responsibility of leading the charge in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, it was time for the old guard to rejoice. But then again, a search is on in Uttar Pradesh where the young Jitin Prasada is tipped to become the chief of the state unit. In Haryana, Kumari Selja, a woman hailing from the weaker segments, is reportedly the front runner in the race while in Delhi, Rahul is expected to place his trust in the old war horse, Sheila Dixit. This mixing of the old and the new is Rahul's mantra for keeping his flock together.

Strange verse

The former Union minister, Kapil Sibal, knows how to stay in the limelight. He has been involved in high profile cases, such as the abortive attempt to impeach the CJI. As if this was not enough, Sibal is now in the habit of repeating a dialogue from Anari, a film by Raj Kapoor, which goes like this: "Samajhne wale samajh gaye hain/ Na samjhe woh anari hain (Those who were meant to understand have understoodand the ones who haven't are callow)". Sibal may have watched the film, of late. But some insist that there is nothing quite so mysterious about Sibal's dealings.

Footnote

• Sridevi, who passed away recently, won the best actress award at the National Film Awards for her performance in the film, Mom. Her husband, Boney Kapoor, expectedly turned emotional while accepting the award on her behalf. But all eyes were on her daughter, Jahnvi Kapoor, who looked resplendent in a sari that had been her mother's. Jahnvi's fans will be hoping that she emulates her mother in reel life too.