About missing ‘samosas’, fish and chicken leg pieces
About missing ‘samosas’, fish and chicken leg pieces
S.M.A.KAZMI
Dehradun, Nov 10
The interesting story of missing samosas has created a stir in the politics of Himachal Pradesh and grabbing national headlines as state Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu grapples with the fallout. During my journalistic career, I have heard few such stories where food meant for so called VIPs was savoured by the hungry staff leading to amusing situations and even official action making headlines.
The latest incident was when samosas and refreshments meant for Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during a function associated with the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) on October 21. Instead of being served to the VIP guest, the security staff savoured it realising little that it would turned into an wholly unsavoury controversy.
A probe was ordered by the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) over missing ‘samosas’ terming it as an “anti-government” act. Five police personnel, including a woman inspector were served show cause notices for their ‘devouring’ act,according to media reports. As the issue grabbed national headlines, opposition BJP took it up forcefully to hit out at the Congress government for ordering an inquiry into missing ‘samosas” and turning a blind eye to the cases concerning the masses that require urgent attention. An apologetic Himachal Pradesh police said that the inquiry was an internal departmental matter.
While, the opposition BJP leader including leader of opposition and former HP Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur held ‘Samosa’ parties, the issue went viral on social media with many senior national BJP leaders pitching in to embarrass the Congress. Chief Minister Sukhu said that BJP has been trying to exploit a non-issue. Sanjeev Ranjan Ojha, Director General (DG), CID said that it was an internal matter and the government has nothing to do with it. He said merely verbal orders were issued to find out what happened to the snacks ordered for the chief minister. He further said that no action will be taken against anyone and people should refrain from escalating and politicizing the matter. The row over who ate the ‘samosas’ meant for the CM started when three boxes of refreshments were brought from Hotel Radisson Blue in Lakkar Bazaar of Shimla. But, the boxes were served to the CM security staff, as per the enquiry report which was conducted by a DSP.
It was during my tenure as a correspondent of ‘Indian Express’ newspaper from 1992 till 1994 in J&K that I heard similar interesting story about ‘missing’ legs of chicken which also made to the pages of newspaper in the 1980’s. Khemraj Khajuria, a firebrand Union leader of J&K Minerals Limited who was regular to our office in Jain Bazar narrated this story which was duly reported by our senior and veteran journalist N.D.Sharma, my predecessor.
There was workers trouble at Kalakot coal mines owned by J&K Mineral limited leading to an agitation and police firing in which few workers died leading to unrest in the town in Rajouri district of J&K in late 1980s’ . As usual senior police officer were sent to maintain law and order and take stock of the situation.
One such senior police officer T.R.Kalra, the first IPS officer of J&K police who was DIG,Jammu province was sent to Kalakot. Arrangements were made by the police for his stay in the guest house and staff of J&K Mineral Corporation Limited were deputed to look after the senior officer. The local police also procured two chicken for the dinner of their senior officer. The cook who was tasked to prepare the dinner could not resist the temptation of a chicken and eat two leg pieces. The rest of two leg pieces were served to the VIP guest. A ruckus was created when the said police official questioned about the two missing leg pieces much to the embarrassment of local police and J&K Mineral Corporation Limited officials. The poor cook who had devoured two chicken legs was suspended. N.D.Sharma, who was known for breaking stories wrote a piece about missing chicken leg pieces which was carried on front page. T.R. Kalra who also served as J&K DGP passed away in 2016 and Khemraj Khajuria is also no more. N.D.Sharma passed away early this year at Bhopal.
Another similar story which I heard during my tenure while covering Haryana from 1996 till 1998 was about missing fish meant for Haryana Governor Dhanik Lal Mandal who served as Governor from 1990 till 1995. It was heard that mandal who was found of eating fish was staying at Haryana Niwas in New Delhi and fish was prepared for his dinner. However, when he did not turn up till late in the night, the kitchen staff eat it. But, on his return he demanded dinner along with fish making the staff run helter skelter and sent someone to fetch the fish again from market.
But the Governor who was a simpleton, unable to resist his hunger came to the kitchen but was told by a smart cook that the fish prepared for him was eaten by a cat and he has to wait a bit as fish is being procured. Mandal who was not fussy returned to his room to wait for his favourite fish curry. No action was taken against anyone.
