NEW DELHI -- Saman Habib, daughter of historian Irfan Habib is indignant. The scientist at the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) has been "married off" to the junior analyst at Moody's Analytics, Faraz Syed, by senior BJP leader Sidharth Nath Singh and some others on television and social media. Syed had authored a report for the Moody's analytical team that said the communal fringe could tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global credibility.
After the BJP rubbished the report as "personal opinion", the party's national secretary discredited the report by factually-baseless statements on national television and social media.
#ToleranceTussle I said on @TimesNow Moody Analysis Assoc Economist is son in law of historian Irfan Habib who said RSS is like ISIS
— Sidharth Nath Singh (@sidharthnsingh) November 3, 2015
He was perhaps following the lead of party leader Subramanian Swamy, who retweeted someone who made the claim on Twitter.
This was furthered by several others, including BJP's national executive member of its women's wing, Priti Gandhi.
Tweet of the day!!! https://t.co/GSwbGMZnwr
— Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) November 3, 2015
Habib is upset, and with reason. Calling those who linked her with Syed "a bunch of liars", she clarified that she was actually married to Amit Mishra, who is also a scientist with CDRI.
Her husband seems equal parts amused and angry.
"I am a victim of a pincer attack by Muslim Polyandry and Hinduttva Fascism! @Saman Habib has been married off to someone called Faraz Syed by the Sanghi Command and the lowest scum of the internet Hinduttva-vadis are in the baaraat. (Sulk, sulk!)," he commented on his wife's Facebook post.
Poor Faraz Syed-- manufactured victim of Muslim Polyandry! My sympathies, my 'raqueeb', tho' I doubt whether you've even ever seen my wife.
— Amit Misra (@amit_cdri) November 4, 2015
Yet another example of ISIS propaganda by RSS sympathizers: They've re-named me, a bees-biswa Kanyakubja Brahmin as Syed Faraz. Why?
— Amit Misra (@amit_cdri) November 4, 2015
@c_ramesh65@irfhabib With respect, you may undertake any investigation you like to investigate my marital status and that of my wife!
— Amit Misra (@amit_cdri) November 5, 2015
As more people propagated the rumour, he chose to go after them with a vengeance, and has even threatened BJP's Singh with legal action.
@ethicalman3 ethicalman3 is spreading unethical lies. BTW, I am the only son-in-law of Prof. Irfan Habib.
— Amit Misra (@amit_cdri) November 4, 2015
@drrnsing You are spreading lies. I did not write the report, and I am Prof. Habib's only son-in-law.
— Amit Misra (@amit_cdri) November 4, 2015
@SardaarKhan You are spreading lies. I am Prof. habib's only son in law, and I don't work for Moody's. Say sorry after you finish LOLing!
— Amit Misra (@amit_cdri) November 4, 2015
@sidharthnsingh@TimesNow Will you accept a notice from my lawyers, or are you willing to settle out of court?
— Amit Misra (@amit_cdri) November 4, 2015
@sidharthnsingh@TimesNow Please respond. I have much to do, and I don't have time for lying know-nothings.
— Amit Misra (@amit_cdri) November 4, 2015
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