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1/32: @Swamy39 @gvkrupa @jagdishshetty
In this series of tweets, I shall document some of my memorable personal experiences with Dr. @Swamy39 so that interested folks can get an insight into some personal aspects of this great person.
#historicDrSwamy
In this series of tweets, I shall document some of my memorable personal experiences with Dr. @Swamy39 so that interested folks can get an insight into some personal aspects of this great person.
#historicDrSwamy
2/32:
The Background: The year 2004. Diwali night. A well respected Hindu Sanyas, head of Kanchi Mutt, is arrested for murder on Diwali night. Can you imagine this with any other community? Take the Imam Bukhari of Jama Masjid.
#historicDrSwamy
The Background: The year 2004. Diwali night. A well respected Hindu Sanyas, head of Kanchi Mutt, is arrested for murder on Diwali night. Can you imagine this with any other community? Take the Imam Bukhari of Jama Masjid.
#historicDrSwamy
3/32: He reportedly has 5 non bailable warrants for several years and many more warrants against him.
Hinduism was being abused “left”, right and center by many vested interests. The black Diwali night was a classic example.
#historicDrSwamy
Hinduism was being abused “left”, right and center by many vested interests. The black Diwali night was a classic example.
#historicDrSwamy
4/32:
Back to the Kanchi Mutt case. The Supreme Court granted bail and trashed the prima facie evidence and severely admonished the state government. Later the case was thrown out of the courts for complete lack of evidence.
#historicDrSwamy
Back to the Kanchi Mutt case. The Supreme Court granted bail and trashed the prima facie evidence and severely admonished the state government. Later the case was thrown out of the courts for complete lack of evidence.
#historicDrSwamy
5/32:
Dr @Swamy39 told us later that TDK was responsible for this and had forced Jayalalitha to do it.
The interesting aspect is that at the centre, it was CONgress in power. The then "Hindus" in the BJP had a very lukewarm reaction.
#historicDrSwamy
Dr @Swamy39 told us later that TDK was responsible for this and had forced Jayalalitha to do it.
The interesting aspect is that at the centre, it was CONgress in power. The then "Hindus" in the BJP had a very lukewarm reaction.
#historicDrSwamy
6/32: That included LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, etc.
The one politician who staunchly stood by the Hindus and by this Saint, in the forefront, was Dr. @Swamy39 .
2005: Dr @Swamy39 had written a book "Hindus under Siege".
#historicDrSwamy
The one politician who staunchly stood by the Hindus and by this Saint, in the forefront, was Dr. @Swamy39 .
2005: Dr @Swamy39 had written a book "Hindus under Siege".
#historicDrSwamy
7/32: It was inaugurated by RSS leader K S Sudarshanji and others. I was contacted by @gvkrupa to host Dr. @Swamy39 at my home in London. This was my 1st experience up close with a politician and my family and I had been a bit wary initially.
#historicDrSwamy
#historicDrSwamy
8/32:
Shortly, I had a conversation with Dr. @Swamy39 on the phone and my instincts told me it would be eventful & exciting to host him. On his arrival at London, I met him at the airport with a bouquet of flowers.
#historicDrSwamy
Shortly, I had a conversation with Dr. @Swamy39 on the phone and my instincts told me it would be eventful & exciting to host him. On his arrival at London, I met him at the airport with a bouquet of flowers.
#historicDrSwamy
9/32: There were some officials from the Indian high commission. These typical sarkaari baabus asked me to get the car to the airport entrance. Dr. @Swamy39 rubbished them and he told them that he would walk with me to the car.
#historicDrSwamy
#historicDrSwamy
10/32:
Dr @Swamy39 's food habits were extremely simple: a very light and non-fussy eater, for example: roti, daal, and fried chillies (called "more molagai" in Tamil). He was extremely down to earth, very jovial and a charismatic person to be with.
Dr @Swamy39 's food habits were extremely simple: a very light and non-fussy eater, for example: roti, daal, and fried chillies (called "more molagai" in Tamil). He was extremely down to earth, very jovial and a charismatic person to be with.
11/32: Also, an early riser.
At home, he joked in front of my wife and said that the folks who met me at the airport had followed us home. And they were watching whatever moves Dr. @Swamy39 makes. And probably watching me as well. That was it.
At home, he joked in front of my wife and said that the folks who met me at the airport had followed us home. And they were watching whatever moves Dr. @Swamy39 makes. And probably watching me as well. That was it.
12/32: Wife became a bit stressed.
The next day, as I was leaving for my work, I showed Dr @Swamy39 how to operate the electric shower. It had electronically managed heating. He told me later he couldn't get it to work.
The next day, as I was leaving for my work, I showed Dr @Swamy39 how to operate the electric shower. It had electronically managed heating. He told me later he couldn't get it to work.
13/32: He had taken a shower in cold water (It was October in the UK!!!). He hadn't want to trouble my wife about operating the shower.
We had prepared many events to popularise the book in London: pamphlets, various venues, etc.
We had prepared many events to popularise the book in London: pamphlets, various venues, etc.
14/32: @GVkrupa and others flew down to London. Dr @Swamy39 got me a list of almost ALL the media persons and contacts at London and it was put to good use.
Dr @Swamy39 was keen on having an event at the Swaminarayan Temple at Neasden, London.
Dr @Swamy39 was keen on having an event at the Swaminarayan Temple at Neasden, London.
15/32: One of the most popular Hindu temples. I had tried several times, and they had refused. Eventually I took Dr. @Swamy39 there. He promised not to make any political speeches and then, magically, yet naturally, they gave in to his charisma.
16/32:
At that event, the turnout of people was not as high as what I had expected and I was deeply upset. We had worked hard for the event. Dr @Swamy39 asked me to wait for the next day.
At that event, the turnout of people was not as high as what I had expected and I was deeply upset. We had worked hard for the event. Dr @Swamy39 asked me to wait for the next day.
17/32: And sure enough, there were several articles in the media about it. Dr @Swamy39 then told me that it is immaterial as to how many people actually attended. The spread of the awareness was more important. Lesson learnt.
18/32: One day, @Swamy39 asked me about organising a taxi to Cambridge. I don't remember the exact dialogues but I remember asking him for the reason, and he in turn asked me why was I curious. I told him I could take the day off and drive him there.
19/32: He told me that I would find the trip interesting if I joined. I drove him there.
At the Cambridge department of rural affairs, he enquired about a student. He had done his M Phil from there. Namely, Rahul Gandhi.
#historicDrSwamy
At the Cambridge department of rural affairs, he enquired about a student. He had done his M Phil from there. Namely, Rahul Gandhi.
#historicDrSwamy
20/32: The lady could not find any evidence of the under graduation done by Rahul. Neither could she find suitable evidence of the actual thesis papers by Rahul. Eventually she asked for Dr @Swamy39 ‘s credentials. He showed his Janata Party card.
21/32: She promptly shut everything up and refused to answer more questions.
On the way back, I took a "short cut" to London and it turned out to be a longer route. We were listening to songs by Kishore Kumar and talking about life in the UK.
On the way back, I took a "short cut" to London and it turned out to be a longer route. We were listening to songs by Kishore Kumar and talking about life in the UK.
22/32: And I learnt what Dr. @Swamy39 called the UK: "the unsinkable aircraft carrier of the USA".
In the evenings, when my son would be playing a console game, Dr. @Swamy39 would sit with him and tease him. It was great fun.
In the evenings, when my son would be playing a console game, Dr. @Swamy39 would sit with him and tease him. It was great fun.
23/32:
Right from those days, Dr. @Swamy39 had a strong dislike for Sonia. He told us a few stories about Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia, some of which were extremely shocking and disturbing.
Right from those days, Dr. @Swamy39 had a strong dislike for Sonia. He told us a few stories about Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia, some of which were extremely shocking and disturbing.
24/32:
One of the book launch trips involved the Venkateshwara Temple at Birmingham. He got surrounded by a few LTTE sympathisers who demanded that he join them for a meeting. Dr. @Swamy39 agreed for a meeting within the temple premises.
One of the book launch trips involved the Venkateshwara Temple at Birmingham. He got surrounded by a few LTTE sympathisers who demanded that he join them for a meeting. Dr. @Swamy39 agreed for a meeting within the temple premises.
25/32: About 7 or 8 of them cornered him. They were aggressively talking to him about his stance against the LTTE. Dr. @Swamy39 stuck to his stand as he said they had murdered his friend Rajiv Gandhi and gave back as good as he got.
26/32:
In all the book release functions, it was a pleasure to see Dr. @Swamy39 in action. His typical, inimitable, legendary responses to "pseudo seculars" were an absolutely delicious treat to witness first hand.
In all the book release functions, it was a pleasure to see Dr. @Swamy39 in action. His typical, inimitable, legendary responses to "pseudo seculars" were an absolutely delicious treat to witness first hand.
27/32:
We had a lot of interesting conversations with him. One such conversation was that the then BJP didn't really care about "hindutva" really. He told us that several of BJP leaders had had secret pacts with Sonia Gandhi on various issues.
We had a lot of interesting conversations with him. One such conversation was that the then BJP didn't really care about "hindutva" really. He told us that several of BJP leaders had had secret pacts with Sonia Gandhi on various issues.
28/32: They weren't really "opponents".
He had said that India and Hindus were doomed unless a party managed to consolidate the majority community's votes and split up the vote bank of the minorities.
He had said that India and Hindus were doomed unless a party managed to consolidate the majority community's votes and split up the vote bank of the minorities.
29/32: This was also mentioned in his book "Hindus under Siege".
What a visionary statement. 2014 and 2019 LS elections were proof of this.
When it was time to bid him goodbye, he took another dig at my wife.
What a visionary statement. 2014 and 2019 LS elections were proof of this.
When it was time to bid him goodbye, he took another dig at my wife.
30/32: He asked me when I was visiting India next. He added that since he hosted me in London and promoted (in a small way) his book, I would be on the watchlist. I might get arrested on arrival in India and should call him if that happened.
31/32: My wife panicked so much that she actually told me to cancel my trip to India.
Since 2005, I have met Dr. @Swamy39 at several places, most of them unplanned, in the midst of a large crowd. He still recognises me and remembers me.
@vsclekha
Since 2005, I have met Dr. @Swamy39 at several places, most of them unplanned, in the midst of a large crowd. He still recognises me and remembers me.
@vsclekha
32/32: Hats off to him. I can't even remember a face I met a day before.
This was the beginning of the Hindu Renaissance, spear headed by the visionary Dr. @Swamy39 . Hopefully, you got some insights into the personal side of this Great Leader.
@gvkrupa
#historicDrSwamy
This was the beginning of the Hindu Renaissance, spear headed by the visionary Dr. @Swamy39 . Hopefully, you got some insights into the personal side of this Great Leader.
@gvkrupa
#historicDrSwamy
