Imran Khan's critics come to his defense after Indian journalist's tweet

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 26 December 2018

Prime Minister Imran Khan received unexpected support from his critics following a controversial tweet by an Indian journalist. The debate centers around the perception of secularism in Pakistan compared to India.
Summary

ISLAMABAD – Even the strong critics of Prime Minister Imran Khan came to his defense when an Indian journalist hinted that the difference between Pakistan and India was their understanding and practice of secularism.

Shekhar Gupta, the founder of online publication theprint.in, tweeted: “When Imran Khan wishes only Christians on Christmas, and Narendra Modi wishes everybody, it shows us the difference between India & Pakistan...”

Gupta’s tweet was about an article in ThePrint by Jyoti Malhotra in which she maintains that the prime minister Khan should not have used the words “all our Christian citizens” and instead the greeting should have been for everyone in Pakistan. The article also carries the tweet by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he wishes Merry Christmas to everyone.

When Imran Khan wishes only Christians on Christmas and Narendra Modi wishes everybody, it shows us the difference between India & Pakistan... Fine Jyoti â¦@jomalhotraâ© insight #GlobalPrint https://t.co/QueXviExii
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) December 25, 2018

Marvi Sirmed said Prime Minister Khan was not a minorities’ hater. “I'm a very strong and consistent critic of Mr. Khan's politics, but let's be fair Shekhar ji. Imran Khan is no hater of minorities. Certainly not involved in their massacre like the PM of worlds biggest, secular democracy. No?”

I'm a very strong and consistent critic of Mr. Khan's politics, but let's be fair Shekhar ji. Imran khan is no hater of minorities. Certainly not involved in their massacre like the PM of worlds biggest, secular democracy. No? https://t.co/L5uw6ZTet9
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) December 25, 2018

Khurram Husain also was taken aback by Gupta’s tweet. “Oh please! Khan is no hater of minorities, nor has he been involved in massacres like Modi. This article is a stretch and a half, drawing a silly equivalence based on a tweet!”

Oh please! Khan is no hater of minorities, nor has he been involved in massacres like Modi. This article is a stretch and a half, drawing a silly equivalence based on a tweet! https://t.co/wXkuIQdN8J
— Khurram Husain (@KhurramHusain) December 25, 2018

KEY POINTS:

Critics of Imran Khan defended him after an Indian journalist's tweet.
The tweet compared Khan's Christmas wishes to Modi's inclusive message.
Marvi Sirmed and Khurram Husain argued Khan is not anti-minority.
The discussion highlights differing views on secularism between India and Pakistan.
The debate was prompted by an article in ThePrint by Jyoti Malhotra.