The mysterious Lahore waali
By Justice Markandey Katju
Someone ( probably from Lahore ) tweeted to me :محترم آپ لاہور کب آ رہے ہیں
لاہور کی گلیاں آپ کو بہت یاد کر رہی ہیں
i.e.
Sir, when are you coming to Lahore?
The lanes of Lahore are longing for you
I replied:
Lahore waali abhi mujhse khafa hai. Jab muskura degi tab Lahore zaroor aoonga
i.e.
The Lahore lady is presently angry with me. When she smiles, I will certainly come to Lahore
He responded:
محترم پہلے تو بہت شکریہ کہ آپ نے اس ناچیز کو جواب دیا میں آپ کو ٹویٹر پر کافی دیر سے فالو کر رہا ہوں آپ کی تقاریر اکثر یو ٹیوب پر دیکھتا رہتا ہون آپ ماشااللہ بہت پڑھے لکھے آدمی ہیں اور بڑی حسرت ہے کہ آپ لاہور آئیں تو
دیدہ و دل فرش راہ
دوسرا یہ لاہور والی کون ہے جو آپ سے خفا ہے
i.e.
Firstly, thank you for replying to this non-entity. I have been following you on twitter for quite some time, and I have heard your speeches on youtube. You are a very learned person. If you come to Lahore I will have your deedaar ( darshan ), which will give me great happiness.
Secondly, who is this Lahore waali who is angry with you ?
I replied:
Lahore waali ek paheli hai, usey paheli hi rehne dein barkhurdaar
i.e.
Lahore waali is a mystery. Let her remain a mystery, brother
He then tweeted :
محترم پہلے تو معذرت اگر میری کوئی بات بری لگی
اگر گستاخی ہوئی ہے تو معذرت
i.e.
Please forgive me if anything I said hurt you
To which I replied:
Aapne koi ghustaaki nahi ki, barkhurdaar. Magar main aapko do geet bhej raha hun, jinse aap meri majboori samajh paayenge
i.e.
You said nothing wrong which hurt me, brother.
But I am sending you two songs which will help you understand my reluctance to give details of the Lahore waali :
Let her remain a paheli
(Justice Katju is a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India. These are his personal views.)
