Arfa Khanum Sherwani, the journalist at The Wire often known for her Islamist stance and fear mongering, had asked on social media yesterday why Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is eulogised and Hamid Ansari is ‘demonised’. She even trivialised her comment stating that what kind of Muslim will be ‘acceptable’ to the right wing.

So what’s the difference between APJ Abdul Kalam and Mohd Hamid Ansari ?

Why one is eulogised and the other demonised ?

What type of Muslim is ‘acceptable’ to the Right Wing ? — Arfa Khanum Sherwani (@khanumarfa) July 27, 2019

Sherwani’s Tweet was an extension of a comment she had made a few minutes earlier. Replying to ThePrint journalist Shivam Vij’s question on why Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is respected by Indians, Sherwani had stated that Dr Kalam is eulogised because, according to her, he had embraced the Hindu way of life, and insinuated that Hamid Ansari is ‘demonised’ because he did not do that.

Sherwani not only pretended to ignore Dr Kalam’s contributions to the development of Indian space and defence technology, his inspirational books and his life journey from a poor Tamil Nadu village to becoming the president of India, but reduced him only to his religious identity of being a Muslim. On the other hand, she compared him to Hamid Ansari, who is more known for his terror apologist stand and as of recently, his alleged attempts to endanger the lives of Indian RAW agents in Iran.

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Twitter users replied in abundance to clear the stark contrast between Dr Abdul Kalam and Hamid Ansari.

Are you really so thick in the head? Abdul Kalam was an Indian first and Muslim next; Hamid Ansari was just a bigoted Muslim who never became an Indian. https://t.co/SdqInPc6Di — Sanjay Dixit ಸಂಜಯ್ ದೀಕ್ಷಿತ್ संजय दीक्षित (@Sanjay_Dixit) July 27, 2019

Here @khanumarfa is communalising the country’s love for ‘Missileman’ Dr Abdul Kalam and tarnishing his legacy by comparing him with traitors like Ansari. She represents everything that’s wrong with her community. pic.twitter.com/WCLDMlmpEV — Darshan Pathak (@darshanpathak) July 27, 2019

Many Twitter users pointed out the recent reports that had stated how Hamid Ansari had endangered the lives of RAW agents stationed in Iran. earlier this month, a former RAW official had claimed that Hamid Ansari had deliberately ignored to help RAW officials held in Iran and had also worked to expose the RAW operation there when he was the Indian ambassador stattioned in Tehran.

Sir APJ Abdul Kalam strengthened his country’s reputation,defense & inspired a whole generation of youngsters. Hamid Ansari played a crucial role by strengthening defense of country he was loyal to. He saved a generation of youngsters who wanted hoors by dismantling RAW network. https://t.co/3Stn1d9jkp — Arun Vishwanathan (@arunv2808) July 28, 2019

Twitter users also pointed it out that any Indian, regardless of his/her political leanings respects Dr Kalam because of his achievements and his contributions to the nation’s development while Ansari, despite being appointed at high positions of power and being the Vice President of India for 10 years, chose to claim victimhood and sympathised with terrorists.

Not a single Indian you would find who doesn’t have respect for Kalam Sahab

This is the difference.

Hamid Ansari is no where in comparison of Kalam Sahab

The man who had been VP for 10years complains .It is ridiculous. His anti Indian activities are coming out. https://t.co/aBHuN7ABtm — Ajay Mishra (@ajay_960) July 28, 2019

Some users, however, did not bother to go into the explainations and nuances of the difference in ideologies between Hamid Ansari and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. They pointed out the most simplistic reason why Sherwani might love Ansari and criticise Dr Kalam.

It is notable here that Dr Kalam is often scorned by some self proclaimed ‘liberals’ who are usually the supporters or beneficiaries of teh Congress ecosystem. Dr Kalam was never known to play the religion card of play victim due to his birth religion. Despite his humble beginings, he had risen to be one of India’s greatest scientists, the pioneer of India’s missile program and was made the president of India by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

Hamid Ansari is not the only person Arfa Khanum Sherwani had chosen to defend. Earlier, she had also attempted to defend the utterly misogynistic and derogatory comments made by SP leader Azam Khan against BJP candidate Jaya Prada. She had also shown indirect support to regressive Islamic practices like Nikah-Halala. She is also very vocal in peddling fake victimhood and fear mongering among Muslims.