It's a six: Bilawal gets round of applause for calling Modi 'Butcher of Gujarat' in UN address

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's blistering response to India’s renewed terror mantra against Pakistan has gone viral. Bilawal called Modi “Butcher of Gujarat”, a nickname he had earned for overseeing a pogrom of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 when he was the state chief minister.

After India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar accused Pakistan of being the “epicenter of terrorism” for “harbouring Osama bin Laden”, Bilawal, in his UNSC address, said, “Osama Bin Laden is dead but the Butcher of Gujarat lives and he is the prime minister of India. He was banned from entering this country until he became prime minister. This is the prime minister of the RSS and the foreign minister of the RSS. What is the RSS? The RSS draws its inspiration from Hitler’s SS."

Several have since been praising Bilawal for his riposte, while many have also been criticising him. Actor and host Fakhr-e-Alam tweeted, "Batsman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari...and that’s a six. Middle of the bat, out of the park!"

A user wrote, "Politics aside, Bilawal's take down of India at UN was incredible. Whoever at Foreign Office spoonfed him to say so needs a raise. A job welldone!" Another added, "I have lots of political differences with Bilawal Zardari's politics but i really appreciate him for giving a befitting reply to India. Give credit where credit is due!"

Many praised Bilawal's "courage"to speak truth to power while others lauded his diplomacy and oration.

Elan CEO Khadija Shah, however, while praising Bilawal's speech, also aired her reservations about him. "Bilawal spoke well. He’s an Oxford grad, trained in public speaking. One can expect nothing less. Take anyone from Pakistan’s National debate team, make them FM -they’d do the same. At 1 Arab 75 crore this was a pretty expensive shaming of Modi on our part. Zero expected gain." In another tweet she maintained she will applaud Bilawal the day his performance serves the people of Sindh.

A user also reminded everyone of the time the 'Butcher of Gujrat' was invited to attend Nawaz Sharif's grand daughter's wedding, and was given a "red carpet welcome".

Filmmaker Assad Zulfiqar Khan, albeit, has shunned the people refusing to give Bilawal credit for his declaration. And he feels it's mostly PTI fans.

Shah, among several others, also criticised the amount of money spent on Bilawal's foreign trips.

Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii, however, held that travelling was part of Bilawal's job as a foreign minister.

The verbal slugfest happened on the sidelines of an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Friday. Stung by Bilawal’s criticism, India’s foreign ministry spokesperson has called his address a “new low even for Pakistan.” The BJP said it would stage nationwide protest on Saturday against the “shameful and insulting” statement of the Pakistani foreign minister.

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