By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: The Azamgarh girls whose picture appeared in the Gujarat government ad in Patna dailies recently have reacted strongly, terming the Narendra Modi government’s move as a cruel joke. They have condemned the state government and sought apology for it. Today one of the three girls addressed media at Shibli College in Azamgarh.
Farheen Mahmood, the first girl in the TwoCircles.net photo which was used without permission in the Modi ad, has graduated from Shibli College. Addressing mediapersons today in the same Computer Department of Shibli College where she was clicked by this correspondent in November 2008, Farheen said she felt hurt when she saw her photo along with her two classmates in the full-page ad of the Gujarat government. The ad appeared in all major Patna dailies on June 10, a day before the Gujarat Chief Minister Modi reaches Patna to address the BJP National Executive meet.
Farheen Mahmood addressing media persons at Shibli College in Azamgarh on June 14
The ad was apparently part of image building exercise of Modi before the Muslims in Bihar. Modi’s party BJP is alliance partner in the state government led by JD-U of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Farheen said it was very bad to see her picture in the political ad of the Gujarat government. Asked if she will file case against Gujarat government, she said it will be decided by her college and parent.
Farheen Mahmood sitting today at the same place where she was clicked by TCN in Nov. 2008
Shahla Muzaffar, another girl in the ad, has also strongly reacted at the appearance of her photo in the Modi ad. A graduate from Shibli College, Shahla is now in Aligarh for PG entrance test. She told media that the publication of her and her friends’ photo in the ad claiming prosperity of Muslims in Gujarat was a bad joke.
Farheen Mahmood (foreground), Fauzia Zarreen and Shahla Muzaffar in Computer Department of Shibli College in Nov. 2008. This photo was shot by TCN staffer and published on the website on 24 Nov. 2008