Jaishankar’s tweet on World Book Day sparks anger among stranded Indians

Amid the pandemic, the minister said he finished Hilary Mantel’s trilogy

jaishankar narayani File photo of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar (right) with Narayani Basu at a book launch | Twitter handle of S. Jaishankar

Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar is known for keeping his Twitter account strictly business. Clearly a Hilary Mantel fan and a reader, Jaishankar tweeted on the World Book Day that he had finished reading the trilogy. But this seemingly innocuous tweet has set off an angry volley of messages.

“A truly satisfying #WorldBook Day. Finally finished Hilary Mantel’s trilogy-The Mirror and The Light,’’ tweeted Jaishankar on Thursday. Mantel’s latest book, which is for real readers and serious fans, is her thickest ever with over 900 pages. 

The followers of the minister, however, don’t appreciate his literary taste. His tweet was met by a flood of disgruntled Indians wanting to come back home. From Indians in Nigeria to those stuck in EU, those with medical problems and those desperate to come home were less than pleased with Jaishankar's tweet.

“Respected sir, but we are not in a position to read books. We are stuck up in USA. Please consider for operating international flights at least for a few days, so stranding our own people may reach their homes,’’ tweeted one user named Sundararajagopal. Teemus, another stranded Indian, said: “Sir only thing we #IndiansStuckAbroad want to read now is about possible lifting of International and/or  news about Airlifting us with special flights! At least comment something give us an assurance n calm d nerves please’’.

Then, there was Chinmaya Kumar, who tweeted, “What learning from book will help us in this pandemic?’’  

Aravind Arun, clearly a reader, tweeted: “If the purpose of this tweet was to share a good title, it came at an inappropriate time. Your act was akin to King Nero, playing fiddle when Rome was burning. Since only @narendramodi decides in this govt, #strandedindians can only wait to hear about your next book soon.

However, there were also those who appreciated Jaishankar’s reading, even if it was for pleasure. R.K. Mishra is clearly a fan. "You are one of the educated persons of incumbent Indian Cabinet. Hilary Mantel is mentally monumental."  

He was not alone. Bhavi, another user, agreed, tweeting, “That is a really great book!’’. Vaibhav Gaikwad had a more pertinent query: “One question sir what is the effective way of reading books?’’ 

Ambika Vishwanath, also a Mantel fan, said: “Wolf Hall is simply sublime! Watched it performed on broadway a few years ago, fantastic!’’. 

Jaishankar may not have struck just the right balance between the personal and business. But his predecessor Sushma Swaraj certainly had it down to pat. And she hasn’t been forgotten. Varun B. tweeted offering advice. “Dear Sir, you should also go through amazing work done by Sushma ji as foreign minister in helping Indians come back. Khub ladi mardani who to Bharat ki rani thi (She fought bravely. She was the queen of India). Missing her.”