[Reader-list] reader-list Digest, Vol 63, Issue 69, secular India and its citizens rant and rublings.?
rajendra bhat
raja_starkglass at yahoo.com
Fri Oct 17 16:17:57 IST 2008
Headmistress of which school is asking the students to be quiet.?Is this the way
to behave in the list.?
Moderator please be alert for this inept responses.!
----- Original Message ----
From: Aarti Sethi <aarti.sethi at gmail.com>
To: rajendra bhat <raja_starkglass at yahoo.com>
Cc: reader-list at sarai.net
Sent: Friday, 17 October, 2008 2:53:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Reader-list] reader-list Digest, Vol 63, Issue 69, secular India and its citizens rant and rublings.?
oh be quiet!
On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 2:28 PM, rajendra bhat <raja_starkglass at yahoo.com> wrote:
It was a week of rant and rumblings for all citizens about secular india and its life as secular republic. Mr. Asgar Ali Enginneer articulated his observations of secular india, which for most part are accurate and correct about being the citizens going for the crisis in identity of being Indian for the other prioritised identity of being marati, tamil or linguistic id or the caste id in the last sixty years of free India. But all his thoughts were clouded by one black paint, -- his hate for RSS, rastriya swayam sevak sangh.Many "secular" citizens and the followers of other faith have been consistently fed with the pison that RSS is fascist, RSS is against other faiths, RSS does not like muslims, christians etc. RSS ka havva dikake rule karne ka chance ab khatham hogaya, bhai, asgar engineer.
Many citizens now have forgotten the role of RSS in the situations when the nation was facing calamities and crisis. Ofcourse the left parties even today active in propaganda against RSS when they hit out their muslim citizens in singur or nandigram, where muslims peasants and poor villagers were the worst vistims.!
In the last sixty years of free India, there is distinct three generations of indians who have seen free India, -----from 1945 to 1965 as midnight children of free India, who are fed with thaparite history of India,
-------from 1965 to 1985 who have seen the free India with all its riots and communal appeasements and the aspirations of citizens being thwarted by dynastic rule of the family and its sycophantic hangers on.The three wars with Pakistan, and china and the role of the left parties during these wars.The role of RSS in national calamity be it kashmir aggression in 1948, be it 1962 chinese aggression when RSS volanteers worked with defence forces in civil control and other duties, or the cyclone in eastern coast of India ,in particular, Andhra where none dared to touch the dead bodies of victims, when RSS volanteers were the ones who gave decent burials and cremation to the dead, irrespective of the faith of the vistims, is forgotten.During the mergency imposed, the RSS was in the forefront to struggle for the rights and freedom of all citizens, again it never claimed any credit for the work as it is national duty that it performed with its volanteers.
The critical phase is the third phase, the present, where the this generation has citizens who have no respect for their duties but are only concerned about their rights in national life.. From 1985 to now, we have seen the "intellectuals" of the all political spectrum taking the new thoughts of nation without boundaries, walking and talking republic citizens, who want all the rights but do not take any responsibilty for the duties of the citizens.! The very idea of rights without responsibilty is irresponsible citizenship. Then came the bunch of NGOs, rights activists in this present national life, for whom, the rights means only those rights of deviant citizens.? Law abiding citizens have no rights.? Here lies the danger of undermining the law keepers by law breakers in free India. It is ridiculous to see the NGOs defending the terror accused of one community only, and the basic fault line lies in law enforcers not acting quickly when any deviant
behaviour occurs. In Godhra, if the action of burning the compartment was violent deviant criminal act, it was expected that the law would take immediate action to prosecute those involved, irrespective of the faith of such criminals, to book, prosecute and punish such deviant crime and behaviour. It did not happen.
In Ayodhya, a dilapidated structure which was not used for prayer offerings for decades was disputed land, pending in the courts for decades, nay almost century.. Prompt action from leadership of all the citizens involved would have ended in harmony and good national life of love and compassion, no, it never happened, a PM used it to appease hindu votes for his decaying oldest party, even though the leader himself was considered honest, Mr. Clean.To balance the act, personal laws of minority was tampered to alimony issues. Now the battle lines were drawn to fight with each other, thanks to this leadership, interference in the internal matters of another nation, Sri Lanka was another hall mark, with LTTE getting overt and covet support from this leader, for which he had to pay with his life., thus dravidian appeasement was the name of the game. With divided citizens along the faith, region and caste lines, who got the benefi to rule.? The lady from the
back alleys of london, a bar tender who was in certificate course in English.But more importantly, the lady represented that 2 percent community, to rule, after the slavery of british days.! Divided citizens today have forgotten that they are indians first, the faith and region have taken over the id. More the division, better it is for the corrupt to rule, and it is easier for the rulers to be dictators.
Wake up, id forgotten citzens, your id is indian, not of any faith in democracy. Otherwise the bishops will take tothe rule with their proxies.
----- Original Message ----
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Subject: reader-list Digest, Vol 63, Issue 69
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY? (Tapas Ray)
2. Re: HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY? (Tapas Ray)
3. Re: HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY? (Britta Ohm)
4. Re: HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY? (Rajkamal Goswami)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:47:14 -0400
From: "Tapas Ray" <tapasrayx at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Reader-list] HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
To: reader-list at sarai.net
Message-ID:
<e86cc8540810161347m6a009af4s12ce7b9e982a5631 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
... and Nepal, which used to be a Hindu state, should be a better
place for Ms Vedavati Jogi. I don't know if it still is under the
Maoist-led government, but it doesn't hurt to try, does it, and i am
sure she would get some support from the ex-king and his people.
2008/10/16 Vedavati Jogi <vedavati_jogi at yahoo.com>:
> i think pakistan will be a better place for you mr. Asghar Ali Engineer.
>
> vedavati
>
> --- On Thu, 16/10/08, Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> From: Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Reader-list] HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
> To: "sarai list" <reader-list at sarai.net>
> Date: Thursday, 16 October, 2008, 11:26 PM
>
> HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
>
> Asghar Ali Engineer
>
> (Secular Perspective October 16-31, 2008)
>
> There is always a big gap between theory and practice, theology and
> history. Indian constitution, no doubt, is one of the best in the
> world. It is truly secular in spirit so much so it was secular even
> when word secular was not added to it until 1975 i.e. during
> emergency. If it were truly implemented India would be an ideal
> country to live in especially for minorities, both religious as well
> as linguistic.
>
> However, as we all know there is big gap between theory and practice,
> constitution and governance of the country. India was far more
> peaceful after independence for number of reasons. Firstly,
> nationalist leaders who had participated in freedom struggle and were
> instrumental in framing the Constitution were still around and despite
> various pressures, stuck to ideals and values to a great extent.
>
> Secondly, due to idealism and nearness to spirit of freedom nation as
> a category and national identity was of great importance and often
> caste, linguistic and religious divisions mattered less. Thirdly, the
> process of economic development had just begun and yet people's demand
> for share in development on caste and communal lines was not very
> articulate and loud.
>
> Because of all this identity politics was still subdued and Marathi
> versus non-Marathi, Tamil versus non-Tamil sentiments were not so
> prominent. Hindu versus Muslims feelings were not so subdued due to
> memory of partition but due to other factors communal violence was
> still limited and had not assumed proportions of ethnic cleansing or
> genocide like in Gujarat in 2002.
>
> It all began with series of communal riots in sixties assuming great
> proportions in Ahmedabad in 1969 and Bhivandi in 1970. In Ahmedabad
> nearly 1000 people were killed in Ahmedabad in 1969 and around 400
> people in Bhivandi. But then communal violence remained in check until
> 1977 when again some major riots took place in several places like
> Jamshedpur, Aligarh and Varanasi etc.
>
> Again whole of decade of eighties was full of communal violence
> climaxing in Mumbai riots in 1992-93. The Ramjanam bhoomi movement
> once again polarized as on the eve of partition. Again there was lull
> in communal disturbances from 1992-93 to 2002 when Gujarat took place
> in 2002. Gujarat riots once again made communal situation quite
> fragile and weakened secular ethos in the country.
>
> Now the identity politics soared quite high and national ethos
> considerably weakened. Today everyone prioritize once caste, communal
> and religious identity over national one. National rhetoric, as if,
> has almost disappeared and even Hindutva forces talk more of Hindu
> religion than of patriotism or nation. For them too Indian nationalism
> has been replaced by Hindu nationalism.
>
> For Shiv Sena of course Maharashtra was always more important than the
> Rashtra (nation) and those Hindus too who spoke Hindi the
> Rashtrabhasha (national language) came under attack. Several Hindus
> from U.P. and Bihar were mauled by Marathi speaking zealots belonging
> to Maharashtra Navniram Sena (MNS), a splinter group from Shiv Sena.
>
> Now recently Christians who were never targeted before by the Hindutva
> zealots have also come under attack. Christians, a mere 2.2 percent
> minority and which has contributed so richly to the country in the
> field of education and health services are being killed ruthlessly.
> What is going on in Kandhmal district of Orissa and some adjoining
> districts, is indeed hair raising.
>
> More than 40 Christians have been killed, a nun mass raped, a woman
> burnt beyond recognition, more than 400 houses burnt and looted and 35
> thousand have fled from their villages to relief camps. And what for?
> A myth has been spread by the powerful machinery of Sangh Parivar that
> all Christians convert. Remember RSS propaganda "All Muslims are not
> terrorists but all terrorists are Muslims"?
>
> Orissa is another Gujarat both in brutalities and terrorization of
> minorities. When Christians and Muslims are being so brutally targeted
> the RSS Chief Sudarshan says that both Muslims and Christians convert
> and Muslims want every one to become Muslim and Christians want all to
> follow Christ and so Hindus must give fitting reply. And our rulers
> just look on.
>
> When BJP was ruling over the country and whole country was
> communalized we were feeling suffocated and felt liberated when UPA
> took over and the BJP led Government defeated at the hustings. We
> celebrated UPA's victory specially because it was supported by the
> left which is the only hope for Indian secularism. However, left has
> withdrawn its support on nuclear issue and once again we are feeling
> suffocated in the communally surcharged state of affairs in India.
>
> However, what is most worrisome is that it is happening under UPA
> Government which is supposed to be a secular outfit. Perhaps today
> there is more suffocation than even under the BJP-led NDA Government.
> The UPA has forgotten all its promises made to the country and is
> betraying minorities and jettisoning its secular commitment. Prime
> Minister Manmohan Singh is more occupied with his pet nuclear pact
> with America than the communal explosion back home.
>
> The communal forces are growing stronger and stronger everyday and the
> ruling coalition of secular forces is quite indifferent. The Home
> Ministry is functioning quite in a lackadaisical manner. It has given
> complete liberty to these forces and they are riding roughshod over
> our secular values and constitutional forces. They never got such
> license to function freely.
>
> The NDA Government liberally recruited RSS inclined candidates in all
> key positions and they captured important academic positions too.
> Also, RSS trained teachers and journalists also were recruited on
> large scale. It is because of this that we find communally minded
> people in all walks of life. The media also has been communalised as
> never before.
>
> Today be it communal riots or terrorist attacks most of the newspapers
> and T.V. channels publish police version unabashedly as if it is
> ultimate truth. No questions are raised and it appears as if
> investigative journalism has become story of the past. Media plays
> most important role in strengthening democratic values and democracy
> cannot survive without a critical and alert media. But it seems except
> for few papers and magazines media has been completely communalised.
>
> Even a well-known Daily from south which was known for its strong
> commitment to secularism appears to have developed, of late, subtle
> communal slant. It is indeed very critical period for India. India is
> well known as largest secular democracy in the world. But first
> Gujarat and now Orissa has dented its secular image thanks to Hindutva
> forces. Manmohan Singh was faced with the most embarrassing situation
> abroad and he had to admit that what is happening in Orissa is
> 'shameful'.
>
> But having described developments in Orissa shameful what has he done
> to redeem it? He is quite hesitant to ban Bajrang Dal and resisting
> demand of some of his own Congress party colleagues to ban it saying
> we are watching and waiting for reports from Chief Minister of Orissa.
> It is indeed more shameful than communal carnage in Orissa. Any truly
> secular government would have dismissed Navin Patnaik Government for
> its complete inability to control communal violence.
>
> So far I never believed that Indian communalism could take form of
> fascism as many leftists had been saying all along. Today we see the
> footprints of fascism in India. The situation is very similar to that
> of Germany in the thirties. The unemployed hordes of lower middle
> classes have joined Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in large
> numbers and hailing Hindutva leaders. Some of the text books in
> Rajasthan and Gujarat, both BJP ruled states are praising fascism and
> Hitler.
>
> Also, the Central Government is appeasing these communal forces. It
> appears though the Government at the Centre is of secular UPA but
> agenda is of Sangh Parivar. The police appears to be taking orders
> from Sangh Parivar rather than from ruling Congress or UPA. Riot after
> riot be it in Orissa or Digras, Pusad or Dhule the police just looks
> on when mobs loot and burn even during curfew hours.
>
> It is indeed very very worrisome situation. The UPA Government is
> assisting the Sangh Parivar in every way possible. The police is
> riding absolutely roughshod over minorities and latest example is
> Batla House 'encounter'. Though the print and electronic media
> abdicated its responsibility the human rights groups raised questions
> and pricked holes in the police claim of encounter of 'dreaded
> terrorists'.
>
> The situation is indeed very grave and unless secular forces unite and
> play determined role things can get far more worse.
> _________________________________________
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------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:24:04 -0400
From: "Tapas Ray" <tapasrayx at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Reader-list] HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
To: reader-list at sarai.net
Message-ID:
<e86cc8540810161424u6f7fae1el96906bb0b960c78c at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Britta,
Do not despair. You, I, and others who do not have to die in riots ...
at least that is how things have been for me so far, but who knows ...
can look at the lighter side. How desperate the writers of these posts
sound, going by their tone. I, and probably some others, have simply
filtered out some of these folks. But I have kept a few gushers keep
...ing (choose your body-function verb) into my mailbox to mark their
territory, so as to amuse myself with the sight, rather perversely.
When I decide I have had enough, I will shut out these too.
They know they can never win an argument, because they speak a
completely different language, which the rest of the members have no
intention of speaking. So why do they keep repeating these things ad
nauseum? I suspect their intention is not only to hijack this list as
you mention but also to *crash the server* if they can't. I think the
time will come when they will have to be shown the door so that the
list is not physically wrecked.
Till then, hold your nose and try to laugh.
Tapas
2008/10/16 Britta Ohm <ohm at zedat.fu-berlin.de>:
> I'm so so sick of this debate and of witnessing how this list has been
> hijacked and undermined by voices who bespeak how deeply the paradigms
> of Hindutva - that are by now means simple but painstakingly flexible
> - have become entrenched in Indian society. And by saying this I
> already know the - superficially varied - reactions that will refuse
> any responsibility, will advise me, under the pretext of 'not
> differentiating' and with the accusation of communalising, to go to
> Pakistan, to Rome, to consider the plight of the Kashmiri pundits, the
> injustice done to the 'majority community' and - to leave this list.
> Why don't I do it? After hope, is there really only masochism,
> subservience and silent suffering?
> Britta
>
>
> Am 16.10.2008 um 19:20 schrieb chanchal malviya:
>
>> India is secular:
>> 1. Muslims have personal law, but there is no Hindu personal law
>> 2. Christians have rights to convert the Hindus, but Hindus do not
>> have that.
>> 3. Muslims get subsidy, Hindus pay subsidy
>> 4. Hindus are in lakhs in other countries and they are not engaged
>> either in conversion, but the same can be applied on them in their
>> own motherland
>> 5. Hindus can talk in support of Islam and Christianity to be
>> secular, but talking about Hinduism is communal
>>
>> Not to say the last words..
>> If all Religions are equal, why don't you convert to Islam or
>> Christianity once for all. The problem will end. The problem lies
>> because we chose to remain Hindu.
>>
>>
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:38:32 +0200
From: Britta Ohm <ohm at zedat.fu-berlin.de>
Subject: Re: [Reader-list] HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
To: "Tapas Ray" <tapasrayx at gmail.com>
Cc: reader-list at sarai..net
Message-ID: <39DF362F-54A9-41EB-BD18-C270BFF883C1 at zedat.fu-berlin.de>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"; format=flowed;
delsp=yes
Thank you, Tapas. I had hoped that - by pre-empting foreseeable
arguments - the mob could be at least silenced and vacate the chair
for something nice. It seems to have worked. I know that I don't have
to die in 'riots', but this list occasionally gives you a virtual idea
of how it feels if you have survived. It indeed would be funny if it
wasn't so sad. And do not underestimate the longivity and persistance
of those we think we can laugh off by ignoring their bad breath. It
might be longer than ours.
All best -- Britta
Am 16.10.2008 um 23:24 schrieb Tapas Ray:
> Britta,
>
> Do not despair. You, I, and others who do not have to die in riots ...
> at least that is how things have been for me so far, but who knows ...
> can look at the lighter side. How desperate the writers of these posts
> sound, going by their tone. I, and probably some others, have simply
> filtered out some of these folks. But I have kept a few gushers keep
> ...ing (choose your body-function verb) into my mailbox to mark their
> territory, so as to amuse myself with the sight, rather perversely.
> When I decide I have had enough, I will shut out these too.
>
> They know they can never win an argument, because they speak a
> completely different language, which the rest of the members have no
> intention of speaking. So why do they keep repeating these things ad
> nauseum? I suspect their intention is not only to hijack this list as
> you mention but also to *crash the server* if they can't. I think the
> time will come when they will have to be shown the door so that the
> list is not physically wrecked.
>
> Till then, hold your nose and try to laugh.
>
> Tapas
>
>
> 2008/10/16 Britta Ohm <ohm at zedat.fu-berlin.de>:
>> I'm so so sick of this debate and of witnessing how this list has
>> been
>> hijacked and undermined by voices who bespeak how deeply the
>> paradigms
>> of Hindutva - that are by now means simple but painstakingly flexible
>> - have become entrenched in Indian society. And by saying this I
>> already know the - superficially varied - reactions that will refuse
>> any responsibility, will advise me, under the pretext of 'not
>> differentiating' and with the accusation of communalising, to go to
>> Pakistan, to Rome, to consider the plight of the Kashmiri pundits,
>> the
>> injustice done to the 'majority community' and - to leave this list.
>> Why don't I do it? After hope, is there really only masochism,
>> subservience and silent suffering?
>> Britta
>>
>>
>> Am 16.10.2008 um 19:20 schrieb chanchal malviya:
>>
>>> India is secular:
>>> 1. Muslims have personal law, but there is no Hindu personal law
>>> 2. Christians have rights to convert the Hindus, but Hindus do not
>>> have that.
>>> 3. Muslims get subsidy, Hindus pay subsidy
>>> 4. Hindus are in lakhs in other countries and they are not engaged
>>> either in conversion, but the same can be applied on them in their
>>> own motherland
>>> 5. Hindus can talk in support of Islam and Christianity to be
>>> secular, but talking about Hinduism is communal
>>>
>>> Not to say the last words..
>>> If all Religions are equal, why don't you convert to Islam or
>>> Christianity once for all. The problem will end. The problem lies
>>> because we chose to remain Hindu.
>>>
>>>
> _________________________________________
> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
> Critiques & Collaborations
> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
> subscribe in the subject header.
> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
> List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
___________________
Britta Ohm
Postdoc
University of Zurich
UPRP Asia and Europe
Office:
Scheuchzerstr. 21
8006 Zürich
Switzerland
tel. +41-(0)44-634 49 61
fax. +41-(0)44-634 49 21
britta.ohm at access.uzh.ch
www.asienundeuropa.uzh.ch
Home:
Solmsstr. 36
10961 Berlin
Germany
+49-(0)30-695 07 155
ohm at zedat.fu-berlin.de
Ekkehardstr. 18
8006 Zürich
Switzerland
+41-(0)43-2689077
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:35:55 +0530
From: "Rajkamal Goswami" <rajkamalgoswami at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Reader-list] HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
To: Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com>
Cc: sarai list <reader-list at sarai.net>
Message-ID:
<9d0d777b0810161905i76290f09od1006a2b02713595 at mail..gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Dear javed,
Before writing anything on secularism...I advise you to kindly consult some
literature dealing with the concepts of secularism. You have just not
grasped the true essence of secularism. India was never ever secular nor it
ever will be. You will clearly understand it once you
understand what secularism means.
On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 8:56 PM, Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com> wrote:
> HOW SECULAR IS INDIA TODAY?
>
> Asghar Ali Engineer
>
> (Secular Perspective October 16-31, 2008)
>
> There is always a big gap between theory and practice, theology and
> history. Indian constitution, no doubt, is one of the best in the
> world. It is truly secular in spirit so much so it was secular even
> when word secular was not added to it until 1975 i.e. during
> emergency. If it were truly implemented India would be an ideal
> country to live in especially for minorities, both religious as well
> as linguistic.
>
> However, as we all know there is big gap between theory and practice,
> constitution and governance of the country. India was far more
> peaceful after independence for number of reasons. Firstly,
> nationalist leaders who had participated in freedom struggle and were
> instrumental in framing the Constitution were still around and despite
> various pressures, stuck to ideals and values to a great extent.
>
> Secondly, due to idealism and nearness to spirit of freedom nation as
> a category and national identity was of great importance and often
> caste, linguistic and religious divisions mattered less. Thirdly, the
> process of economic development had just begun and yet people's demand
> for share in development on caste and communal lines was not very
> articulate and loud.
>
> Because of all this identity politics was still subdued and Marathi
> versus non-Marathi, Tamil versus non-Tamil sentiments were not so
> prominent. Hindu versus Muslims feelings were not so subdued due to
> memory of partition but due to other factors communal violence was
> still limited and had not assumed proportions of ethnic cleansing or
> genocide like in Gujarat in 2002.
>
> It all began with series of communal riots in sixties assuming great
> proportions in Ahmedabad in 1969 and Bhivandi in 1970. In Ahmedabad
> nearly 1000 people were killed in Ahmedabad in 1969 and around 400
> people in Bhivandi. But then communal violence remained in check until
> 1977 when again some major riots took place in several places like
> Jamshedpur, Aligarh and Varanasi etc.
>
> Again whole of decade of eighties was full of communal violence
> climaxing in Mumbai riots in 1992-93. The Ramjanam bhoomi movement
> once again polarized as on the eve of partition. Again there was lull
> in communal disturbances from 1992-93 to 2002 when Gujarat took place
> in 2002. Gujarat riots once again made communal situation quite
> fragile and weakened secular ethos in the country.
>
> Now the identity politics soared quite high and national ethos
> considerably weakened. Today everyone prioritize once caste, communal
> and religious identity over national one. National rhetoric, as if,
> has almost disappeared and even Hindutva forces talk more of Hindu
> religion than of patriotism or nation. For them too Indian nationalism
> has been replaced by Hindu nationalism.
>
> For Shiv Sena of course Maharashtra was always more important than the
> Rashtra (nation) and those Hindus too who spoke Hindi the
> Rashtrabhasha (national language) came under attack. Several Hindus
> from U.P. and Bihar were mauled by Marathi speaking zealots belonging
> to Maharashtra Navniram Sena (MNS), a splinter group from Shiv Sena.
>
> Now recently Christians who were never targeted before by the Hindutva
> zealots have also come under attack. Christians, a mere 2.2 percent
> minority and which has contributed so richly to the country in the
> field of education and health services are being killed ruthlessly.
> What is going on in Kandhmal district of Orissa and some adjoining
> districts, is indeed hair raising.
>
> More than 40 Christians have been killed, a nun mass raped, a woman
> burnt beyond recognition, more than 400 houses burnt and looted and 35
> thousand have fled from their villages to relief camps. And what for?
> A myth has been spread by the powerful machinery of Sangh Parivar that
> all Christians convert. Remember RSS propaganda "All Muslims are not
> terrorists but all terrorists are Muslims"?
>
> Orissa is another Gujarat both in brutalities and terrorization of
> minorities. When Christians and Muslims are being so brutally targeted
> the RSS Chief Sudarshan says that both Muslims and Christians convert
> and Muslims want every one to become Muslim and Christians want all to
> follow Christ and so Hindus must give fitting reply. And our rulers
> just look on.
>
> When BJP was ruling over the country and whole country was
> communalized we were feeling suffocated and felt liberated when UPA
> took over and the BJP led Government defeated at the hustings. We
> celebrated UPA's victory specially because it was supported by the
> left which is the only hope for Indian secularism. However, left has
> withdrawn its support on nuclear issue and once again we are feeling
> suffocated in the communally surcharged state of affairs in India.
>
> However, what is most worrisome is that it is happening under UPA
> Government which is supposed to be a secular outfit. Perhaps today
> there is more suffocation than even under the BJP-led NDA Government.
> The UPA has forgotten all its promises made to the country and is
> betraying minorities and jettisoning its secular commitment. Prime
> Minister Manmohan Singh is more occupied with his pet nuclear pact
> with America than the communal explosion back home.
>
> The communal forces are growing stronger and stronger everyday and the
> ruling coalition of secular forces is quite indifferent. The Home
> Ministry is functioning quite in a lackadaisical manner. It has given
> complete liberty to these forces and they are riding roughshod over
> our secular values and constitutional forces. They never got such
> license to function freely.
>
> The NDA Government liberally recruited RSS inclined candidates in all
> key positions and they captured important academic positions too.
> Also, RSS trained teachers and journalists also were recruited on
> large scale. It is because of this that we find communally minded
> people in all walks of life. The media also has been communalised as
> never before.
>
> Today be it communal riots or terrorist attacks most of the newspapers
> and T.V. channels publish police version unabashedly as if it is
> ultimate truth. No questions are raised and it appears as if
> investigative journalism has become story of the past. Media plays
> most important role in strengthening democratic values and democracy
> cannot survive without a critical and alert media. But it seems except
> for few papers and magazines media has been completely communalised.
>
> Even a well-known Daily from south which was known for its strong
> commitment to secularism appears to have developed, of late, subtle
> communal slant. It is indeed very critical period for India. India is
> well known as largest secular democracy in the world. But first
> Gujarat and now Orissa has dented its secular image thanks to Hindutva
> forces. Manmohan Singh was faced with the most embarrassing situation
> abroad and he had to admit that what is happening in Orissa is
> 'shameful'.
>
> But having described developments in Orissa shameful what has he done
> to redeem it? He is quite hesitant to ban Bajrang Dal and resisting
> demand of some of his own Congress party colleagues to ban it saying
> we are watching and waiting for reports from Chief Minister of Orissa.
> It is indeed more shameful than communal carnage in Orissa. Any truly
> secular government would have dismissed Navin Patnaik Government for
> its complete inability to control communal violence.
>
> So far I never believed that Indian communalism could take form of
> fascism as many leftists had been saying all along. Today we see the
> footprints of fascism in India. The situation is very similar to that
> of Germany in the thirties. The unemployed hordes of lower middle
> classes have joined Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in large
> numbers and hailing Hindutva leaders. Some of the text books in
> Rajasthan and Gujarat, both BJP ruled states are praising fascism and
> Hitler.
>
> Also, the Central Government is appeasing these communal forces. It
> appears though the Government at the Centre is of secular UPA but
> agenda is of Sangh Parivar. The police appears to be taking orders
> from Sangh Parivar rather than from ruling Congress or UPA. Riot after
> riot be it in Orissa or Digras, Pusad or Dhule the police just looks
> on when mobs loot and burn even during curfew hours.
>
> It is indeed very very worrisome situation. The UPA Government is
> assisting the Sangh Parivar in every way possible. The police is
> riding absolutely roughshod over minorities and latest example is
> Batla House 'encounter'. Though the print and electronic media
> abdicated its responsibility the human rights groups raised questions
> and pricked holes in the police claim of encounter of 'dreaded
> terrorists'.
>
> The situation is indeed very grave and unless secular forces unite and
> play determined role things can get far more worse.
> _________________________________________
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--
Rajkamal Goswami
ATREE, Bangalore-24
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