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Talking to TOI , Bhutia, a Buddhist, said, ‘‘I sympathize with the Tibetan cause. I have many friends in Sikkim who follow Buddhism. This is my way of standing by the people of Tibet and their struggle. I abhor violence in any form.’’ Bhutia emphasized that he had not been requested by any group to pull out of the torch run. ‘‘This is an absolutely personal decision. I feel what’s happening in Tibet is not right and in my small way I should show my solidarity.’’
Bhutia’s actions are a refreshing change from India’s inability to take a strong stance against China’s violent repression in Tibet. But for every Bhutia, we are going to have a wuss who rather bask in the fake glory of carry the Olympic torch:
Randhawa, when asked by TOI whether he would carry the torch, said: ‘‘I have received an invitation to run with the Olympic torch and I will proudly do it. I know about what is going on in Tibet but the Indian government is not protesting. So why should I?’’
Exactly, Mr. Gurbachan Singh Randhawa whom I freakin don’t remember (Google tells me you ran in the 110m Hurdles final in the 1964 Olympics), why should you? After all, your fame and success is all courtesy the Indian government and you don’t have a freaking opinion. Perhaps a heavily socialist mai-baap government back then may even have been responsible. At least if you had mentioned something on the lines of supporting a tyrannical government, I would’ve have at least given you some points for having an opinion. But never mind, there are plenty of you.
by Patrix | on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 8:05 pm | 
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March 31st, 2008 at 10:16 pm reply
Go Baichung! I guess people like Randhawa want to prance in their 2 seconds of limelight. It’s a pity. It takes a lot of courage to go against the grain, and it’s nice to see someone like Bhutia try to do it.
April 1st, 2008 at 11:31 am reply
When people don’t care about deeper shit that happens back home….
P.S. Ever looked at the “Popular Searches” part of your Lijit Widget? I am legally not allowed to see that.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:00 pm reply
Sampada, I loved the way he spoke his mind. No ulterior motives just a simple protest against the atrocities in Tibet. Wish more of our celebrities had similar balls.
Yuvi, Sad but true. I just wish we had expressed a similar solidarity with the protesting Tibetans even though our wussy government refuses to.
And yup, please close your eyes. My search engine visitors are a perverted lot :)
April 1st, 2008 at 12:21 pm reply
Baichung is like a true Sardar, fighting injustice, even at a personal level! Brave man you make us proud.
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