Cancelled & Tainted: Everest Expedition & Modi Visa

By Dinesh Wagle on March 19th, 2005 in Wagle Street Journal

Going through today’s Hindustan Times was a kind of shocking experience for me. The front page was dominated with the big news of the day that shocked entire India: Gujrat riot cost US visa for Narendra Modi. Well, that wasnâ t new news for me though. So, that didn’t shock me. But an item on the 6th page of New Delhi’s best selling paper (I don’t intend to include myself in the ‘best selling’ war between Times of India and HT) pulled my attention and made me pale instantly.

India cancelled its first ever all-women Indo-Nepalese Everest expedition of Royal Nepal Army and Indian Army. The expedition was to be started this week as per the original plan. The cancellation itself was not big news. Such things happen in Everest, in Himal. What was astonishing was the reason behind the cancellation. The paper cites high level Indian Army Official as saying that the expedition was cancelled because of the political change in Nepal. Since the Feb 1 royal takeover in Nepal, Indian Army has halted all kinds of cooperation, the official claimed, thus no Everest climbing with Nepalese army personals. So, according to the paper, the India team will go to Everest from the Tibetan side instead of using regular Nepalese route. What a superb example of hypocrisy and double standard! And here comes the context of Modi.

What a hue and cry the US decision to deny visa to Modi has generated in India in the last 48 hours. Uncle Sam denied visa to a Chief Minister of India. Why? New Delhi based US embassy spokesman David Kennedy explained thus: “Modi’s tourist and business visa was revoked under section 212 (A-G) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act under which any foreign government official (in power) responsible for serious violation of religions freedom is ineligible for visa.”

The Indian government of the coalition UPA instantly expressed its “deep concern and regret” for the US decision. India could do just that in this context what Nepal could do in the earlier stated (expedition cancellation) context.

The New Delhi government should consider the fact that India is currently hosting a historical sporting event: Indo-Pak cricket. Sporting events shouldn’t come in politics. Indo-Pak cricket was hostage of Indian ego for long time. India always brought cricket in between its relations with Pakistan. Now, finally it seemed as if folks at Delhi have understood that sports and politics should be dealt with separately. The cancellation of the Everest expedition shattered that hope.

To show concern for democracy and civil liberties is a very good thing. Yes, India should pressurize the royal government of Nepal to restore democratic process and help Nepal solve problems. As a citizen of Nepal, I expect India to play constructive role of a friendly country so that we can enjoy democratic rights in our society. But I strongly object the way India is using its foreign policy. I don’t agree with how India cancelled its Everest expedition team and diverted that to Tibetan route. Well, tell me, who are ruling Tibet? Who are ruling China? For India, it seems, President Hu of China is a democratically elected leader. The same government who is not only playing cricket but hosting the team from a country let by a dictator is canceling another similar sporting event. This is no more than a sheer example of double standard, a big brotherly behavior, bade bhai behaviour.

And US too showed its Bade Bhai behaviour to India. For India, US is Uncle, Big Brother, Bade Bhai. But in this case, Bade Bhai did very good thing. Uncle Sam didnâ t cancel an Everest expedition but denied entry to one of the most destructive figure of Indian subcontinent. I am astonished how come the Congress party forgets the Gujarat riot so quick? Until a few months ago, the same party was on the street trying hard to defeat Modi accusing him of inciting violence in the State of Gujrat. Now, the same party has shamelessly come forward defending the same man. I am sure folks at Outlook Magazine are closely watching all this development. I am eagerly waiting to read the next issue of this Magazine which has been highlighting the atrocities done by Modi and company in Gujrat.

According to Times of India, “when Modi was asked at his press conference on Friday whether the controversy would be politically advantageous to him, he shot back, “I am not looking at this for personal gains, I am concerned about the image of India.” Oh my god, this bearded and bespectacled man is “concerned about the image of India.” I just can’t believe this. Modi ji, you are the man who have tarnished the image of India most in the recent years. Aaap ne chhayekrit kiya hey, Bharat ka image, Modi ji.
Look, how your supporters, no other than those Hindu fundamentalists, are already showing their true face by burning the effigies of US President George W Bush!