Page 16 of The Circle of Exile
“Hmm, Roshanji, I would have done that, surely, you are right. But our PM gave a statement that PoK was, is, and will always belong to India.”
“So what?”
“So now, my saying that I will not go to PoK, for a civilian education event at that, just because Pakistan offended us, will only question our stand that PoK is an integral part of India. No?”
Roshanji fell silent. His mouth thinned and his eyes took on a sharp look. Major Banot looked taken aback but his demeanour remained unchanged, unforgivingly stoic.
“What should I do now, Roshanji, you tell me… if there is any other way to get out of this, since the press releases have already gone out... I cannot renege on this without compromising on our government’s national policy stand that PoK belongs to India. I am going from one part of my state to the other. Am I not?”
“Yes, but… that’s… just semantics… that…” he floundered. “It’s under their control…”
“We don’t accept that.”
“But it is! You need visa to go there.”
“Which I will obtain with due procedure. But think about the strength your stand will take when your Chief Minister will visit PoK even amid these tense times. The PM’s statement will be reiterated. I will make sure of that.”
Roshanji shook his head — “Aap mujhe baaton mein uljha rahe ho, Atharvaji.[19]”
Atharva shook his head — “Main kahan aapko uljha sakta hoon. Aap khud itne bade kavi hai.[20]I am just trying to say that this issue is not worth tensing up our alliance over. Elections are coming up in Rajasthan, MP and UP. Your party always does well in these states on issues of nationalism. You have it right here. Ask your MLAs to stand down in my Vidhan Sabha, release my permissions to go and strengthen your stand that PoK is ours. Sweep these three states again.”
Roshanji did not yield but Atharva could see his mind whirring.
“Let me speak to Yogesh bhai and come back to you,” he finally said.
“I will wait for your call this evening,” Atharva got to his feet, pushing his hand out for a shake. He had given the decision a date and a time now. He added the stakes just as Roshanji shook his hand — “Our alliance is precious to me, Roshanji. I hope it is just as precious to you. I wouldn’t like to run my state without Ali by my side.”
2. The house of cards on his desk wobbled…
The house of cards on his desk wobbled. Atharva eyed them, wincing inside as the fan for the shooting lights was turned on. The cards flopped down, the roof now nothing but street.
“I’m sorry, Janab…” the lightman rushed to tamp the cards down from flying.
“No problem,” Atharva smiled, holding his chin up as they fixed a mic on his collar.
“Looking at alternate career options?” Toru’s amused question made his eyes snap up at her. She was sitting across from him, sent in place of the senior journalist who was supposed to conduct this interview from her channel. Atharva had kept his distance from her after the London interview, where she had bulldozed her way to blindside Iram.
He held his smile — “Always good to have diverse skills in your kitty.”
“You sing, you fight, you dance, you are a pro at cards,” she counted on her fingers. “Bollywood would love you.”
“I also happen to have a decent mugshot,” Atharva smirked as a makeup artist blotted a cool tissue over his brow.
“Clear,” the director yelled, and his home office suddenly plunged into a pin-drop silence as everybody moved away, leaving only him and Toru in the frame. His couch had become his seat, and an armchair had been arranged for Toru. In a a pair of maroon suit-pants, her short hair in place, her dusky skin glowing and eyes rimmed in dark kohl, she looked as sharp as ever.
She nodded at him in inquiry, he nodded back. After a number of interviews, they had this pre-rolling routine down pat. Atharva sat back, tired and sleepy after his long week, waiting for Toru to run her introduction of him as usual. It was ridden with praises like the last few times but ended with questions on the shortcomings of his government lately, as he had expected. Toru Ray did not mince her words.
“Two years to your accession to the CM’s chair, Mr. Kaul, what has the experience been like?” She turned to him, papers in hand. This time, Amaal had tightened the cogs for her channel, so much so that Amaal wasn’t even here to check if things were going smoothly. Atharva didn’t know what the threats were after that London interview, but he could see that the entire team was on edge. Even Toru.
“It’s been 28 months of intense growth. For the state as well as for me. We have covered 78% of electrification across the state, potable flowing tap water is not a seasonal commodity anymore and educational institutes are growing at par with the speed of roads we are building. And that’s higher than the average benchmark for the top 5 states in India currently. MSMEs and small-scale industries have seen a turnaround in growth. From depletion of opportunities, they are seeing an upward trajectory. And just last year, we recorded our highest ever tourism footfall — 2.11 crore tourists. I would say, so far so good.”
“The valley is not as safe today as it was last year, especially not on certain days of the week. In only the last week, Kashmir has seen a 68% decline in tourism. Curfews have now been lifted but they were in place all through the beginning of October. The young Haq Force leader — Usama Aziz’s death has sparked something that your government has failed to control. Would you still say so far so good?”
“Usama Aziz’s encounter was a routine anti-terrorism exercise. Their strategically placed sleeper cells have rallied day and night to disrupt the upward-looking state. They have failed to succeed so far, and until Kashmiris stand tall, they will keep failing.”
“And still the stone pelting and protests do not seem to die down.”
“Your question is?”
