As we honourably and gracefully withdraw from a about to begin legal battle with a star couple who had made an inadvertent attempt to touch the honour of the Armed Forces Personnel by trying to auction a piece of costume in the guise of “Uniform”. The entire closure of the “issue” has happened at our terms and conditions!!
Here are some developments and lessons learned (post they were served with legal notice)
1. Both Twinkle Khanna and Akshey Kumar have disassociated themselves from the activities of Salt scout (the company doing the online auction).
2. Their counsel has responded to the legal notice on their behalf and said the following quote *our client is not conducting any auction nor is alleged auction being conducted on behalf of our client or our client’s wife. Our client states that the uniform costume worn by our client is neither owned by our client nor by client’s wife nor is it bestowed upon or handed over or conferred upon our client in any manner whatsoever* unquote
3. That pretty much means they have developed “cold feet” after realising that they are doing something which is both illegal and unethical.
4. Salt scout has on their part were left high and dry as their protagonist had pulled the rug from under their feet….Salt scout all of a sudden did not have legs to stand on…they of course felt cheated….Salt scout immediately (through their counsel) apologised and have now added a fine print calling it as “Naval costume worn by Akshey himself in movie Rustam” on their auction webpages. The company is now auctioning only the pant, shirt and the cap (minus the ribbons/medals and rank).
5. We had nothing against anyone…. it was only our honour which remains non negotiable…..if we will not stand up and be counted….if we will not stand up and speak up then we have no right of cribbing that we do not get our rightful due in the society….. or India Today magazine has gumption to show our Chief’s uniform with pockets inside out on their cover….. someone has to take bull by the horn!!!…no one *repeat* no should touch the honour of the only institution which keep this country together…..
….and we repeat Lt Col Sandeep Ahlawat’s now iconic phrase ….. you touch our honour we will give you a bloody nose!!! (resounding defeat)
