Delhi government’s proposal to introduce odd and even number vehicles from 1 January has created a heated debate with opposition parties particularly the BJP slamming the idea.
And when the BJP has opposed the idea, how can the party’s known cheer-leader and writer Chetan Bhagat be left behind. Soon, the social media users saw a flurry of tweets from the writer, who minced no words in sledging the idea without providing any alternative solution to curb air pollution, which has become a menace in Delhi.
Such is the gravity of the rising air pollution that Delhi High Court on Thursday likened the situation to ‘living in a gas chamber.’
But Bhagat felt that ‘halving the traffic’ off the road will have adverse consequences on economic growth and job prospects.
He tweeted;
At a time when we need economic growth and jobs, somebody decides to get half the vehicles off the roads and destroy productivity. Nice.
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 5, 2015
And he didn’t stop here. Calling the Delhi government’s idea ‘draconian, undemocratic, not implementable, not a real solution, bizarre.’ he said that ‘odd even cars kind of posturing politics should be avoided.’
He followed it up with series of tweets;
Real solution to Delhi pollution is to improve smaller cities. Lower pressure on supermetros. Good emission norms, great public transport.
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 5, 2015
I know AAP supporters like the romantic idea of shoving change through. Sadly guys, with all respect, it doesn't work. Practicality matters.
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 5, 2015
Bhagat then posted this tweet posing a question while comparing the capital under AAP government as la la land.
CAT question: if you go for dinner in lala land Delhi in odd number car and finish post midnight, what do u do?
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 5, 2015
As is often the case with Bhagat, who’s known for getting his facts horribly wrong while tweeting on matters he’s accused of not possessing any knowledge at all, his tweet above once again smacked of his ignorance. AAP’s Ankit Lal clarified that Odd-Even formula ‘applies from 5am till 11pm. Not in night. The idea is to promote people to use car pooling.’
Responding to one of Bhagat’s tweets, senior AAP leader and poet, Kumar Vishwas posted this tweet, which simply read ‘aaja nachle nyayadheesh (Let’s got for a dance Mr Judge).” Thhis jibe was in reference to Bhagat’s appearance on a TV dance reality show as a judge.
आजा नच लै न्यायाधीश? https://t.co/SyPSYzkbr7
— Dr Kumar Vishvas (@DrKumarVishwas) December 5, 2015
Bhagat reacted angrily and called Vishwas’ tweet ‘unclassy’ from ‘elected lawmakers’ except that the maverick AAP politician has not been elected to any House.
Wow. Really classy how our elected lawmakers act sometimes. Personal attacks when no logical arguments exist. https://t.co/NeQLSM7SmK
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 5, 2015
And, as expected, seldom do AAP supporters spare Bhagat for his attack on Kejriwal. Dilip Pandey, senior AAP leader, called him ‘Chhedan (one with too many holes) bhai’ mocking his knowledge on environment and pollution. Pandey called it a ‘height of stupidity.’
His tweet read;
किसी ने पूछा, मूर्खता की भी कोई हद होती है? मैंने कहा-हाँ, छेदन भाई के "पर्यावरण सरंक्षण" से जुड़े आज के ट्वीट्स पढ़ लें!सही आदमी है ये भाई?
— Dilip K. Pandey – दिलीप पाण्डेय (@dilipkpandey) December 5, 2015
Other AAP leaders too didn’t appear any less kind to the writer. Ashutosh said Bhagat was only seeking some ‘cheap publicity.’
@ankitlal @chetan_bhagat with due respect don't engage him.He is seeking publicity.His typical tactic.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) December 5, 2015
If Ashutosh’s allegations is right, it’s highly unlikely that Bhagat will stop here because he hasn’t trended on twitter yet. And in social media age, for any publicity seeking individual, the real achievement will only come after they have trended on twitter.
Here are few other tweets where the social media media users have mocked Bhagat
https://twitter.com/sameerahajani/status/672997258627907585
https://twitter.com/marwadi_/status/672992772077432837
@chetan_bhagat chetu pls write soft porn and judge nach baliye..kyun bekaar apni chhoti si buddhi ko itni taqleef dete ho !
— कोमल 🙂 ?? (@Komal_Indian) December 5, 2015
. @chetan_bhagat What kind of air are we giving to our children where they're choking to death. How productive a gasping generation be?
— Aggressive Indian (@bharat_builder) December 5, 2015
This is not the first time when users mocked Chetan Bhagat on social media. He’s always become a subject of social media ridicule everytime he’s commented on subject matters, he knows nothing about.
(Also read: When aam aadmi’s chiding of Chetan Bhagat became twitter sensation)