NEW DELHI: The Indian government was ‘happy’ that Pakistan had decided to return its captured air force pilot and it looked forward to his return, defense officials told reporters on Thursday.
Wing Commander Abhinandan, who was captured by Pakistan Army on Wednesday, will return to India on Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan told a joint session of the parliament in Islamabad.
Amid rabid jingoism and warmongering in India, saner voices are making themselves heard, thanks to social media, Twitter in particular. While India’s mainstream media, especially electronic media, was baying for blood by whipping up war hysteria, peace-lovers took to the popular microblogging site to douse the fire of hatred. They hailed the rescue of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistani troops from a lynch mob after his jet was shot down in Azad Kashmir. And when Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to release and hand over Abhinandan to India as a ‘gesture of peace’, they welcomed the move as ‘real statesmanship’.
Indian Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh spoke out saying that Abhinandan’s release would serve as a stepping stone for goodwill. “Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman to be released by Pakistan: I’m very happy, I had demanded his release earlier too. This is going to be a step towards goodwill and I hope this will be lasting,” he said in a tweet.
Former cricketer and celebrity Navjot Singh Sidhu heralded Imran Khan’s move. “@ImranKhanPTI Every noble act makes a way for itself… your goodwill gesture is ‘a cup of joy’ for a billion people, a nation rejoices… I am overjoyed for his parents and loved ones,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
Bollywood actor Meera Chopra said Khan has set an example that “we all want peace”. “Huge respect for this man @ImranKhanPTI, a big thank you for returning #Abhinanadan and truly setting an example that we all want peace,” Merra tweeted.
Socio-political activist and columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni said PM Khan “proved to be a Man of Peace”. “Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI Sahab: Please accept my heartfelt kudos. You have proved to be a Man of Peace. My prayer – Now You and PM @narendramodi ji can, and should, together make it WIN-WIN for both New India and Naya Pakistan. #WelcomeBackAbhinandan#SayNoToWar,” Kulkarni tweeted.
Emmy nominated Indian reporter Barkha Dutt said New Delhi should welcome the gesture which has led to the opening of door to de-escalation. “I think we should welcome this gesture from @ImranKhanPTI on the release of #Abhinandan. The door for deescalation has been opened. And this is really not the time for dumb and needless gloating by tv anchors,” Dutt tweeted.
Former chief minister of Indian-held Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, praised the prime minister and said it was time for the Indian political leadership to take measures to de-escalate the situation.
All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also welcomed Khan’s move, and hoped that better sense would prevail after that. “Welcome decision by Pakistan PM @ImranKhanPTI to release the captive indian pilot as a peace gesture. Hope better sense prevails the war clouds scatter and the #Kashmir dispute moves towards a peaceful resolution,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
Tanvir Sadiq, political adviser to former IHK chief minister Omar Abdullah, thanked the Pakistani leader and said it would be ‘sad news for warmongers’.
