It never surprised me not the least when photos had got splashed across sections of the media  and there were TV reports showing Mani Shankar Aiyar mingling.and hugging with such warmth the Hurriyat and secessionist elements in Kashmir....Once when I was editorial in-charge of a leading newspaper (at that time) in Bhopal and was responsible for the edit page content (1989-91), I was aghast by an objectionable piece with communal overtones, obviously written by Mani Shankar Aiyar for his regular Monday column to appease a section of minorities. I had no option but to tell the Editor that it cannot be printed as it turns a blind eye to the communal and disruptive forces. But the Editor/ proprietor, who was angling for a Rajya Sabha berth, told me in no uncertain terms that the piece had to go in print in its original form as Aiyar is a respected columnist. My response to that, after I had pointed out the flaw, was: "I'm leaving the article on your table. You do whatever you want. At least I have nothing to do with it." Saying this, I left the Editor's room. After some time, when I was in my cabin, the article in question landed on my table with the Editor's note saying: "Kill this piece and publish something else instead." That Monday, Aiyar's piece was missing from the top slot on the edit page