Metiabruz riled, Firhad now denies 'mini-Pak' remark

KOLKATA: Metiabruz resident Mohammed Qasim takes pride in introducing himself from “miniLucknow“. On Saturday morning, when he learnt that Firhad `Bobby' Hakim had likened his home of over 45 years to “mini-Pakistan“, he was livid.

Seething disapproval from a large section of citizens in the Port area on Saturday forced Hakim to distance himself from the “mini-Pakistan“ statement he apparently made in an interview to Pakistan's `Dawn'. “I want to categorically state that I did not make any comment where I compared Metiabruz or Kidderpore to Pakistan,“ he said. “The journalist said that the streets here looked like those of Karachi. I replied by saying she must be feeling at home then.“

Hakim went on to launch an offensive on BJP for “communalising the election“ by stoking passion over the “mini-Pakistan“ remark.

“When Modi goes to Pakistan, it is hailed as a masterstroke in foreign policy .When a Muslim man like me does not even make an offensive comment, I am expected to clarify it again and again,“ said the outgoing urban development minister.

Senior TMC leaders in area admit the “miniPakistan“ tag for the predominantly Muslim Kidderpore-Metiabruz belt had not gone down well with many residents, some of whom are descendants of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh who was exiled here by the British in 1856. A direct descendant of Wajid Ali Shah and south Kolkata local, who did not want to be named, said Hakim's remarks, “if he has actually made them“, did a disservice to the people of the area.

“The king infused Lucknawi culture into Metiabruz and in Kolkata. If you carefully observe the language, the food habits and the bustle on the streets, you may think you have been transported to Lucknow. Comparing this place to Pakistan is not fair,“ said the royal descendant.

Among his many gifts to Kolkata, one of the biggest contributions of Shah was the introduction of biryani to the foodscape. The light classical music genre of thumri, which the Nawab is said to have introduced, continues to be popular. A senior TMC leader, who is well aware of the history and character of Metiabruz, said Hakim's comment “make the community feel alienated from the mainstream“.