Category: Politics & Social Issues Page 5 of 7

Care Not for Thy Future, Care for Youngsters’!

No, I am not here to talk about ozone layers or terrorism. This blog post refers to our dream. I am writing about the dream our forefathers had seen while setting this nation free from the shackles of British demons. Do we even care about making a future of our nation what it deserves? We always talk of our mother nation, how great this country is and what not. Are we doing enough to make our youngsters be proud of us?

I am neither left nor right. Not even center. Just a human being trying to express what I see in my day-to-day life. Can I speak, sirs? Do I still have right to express myself? Am I still independent in 2015?

Men and women had to lay down their lives back in the century to bring us the freedom. The freedom where we can talk, shout and argue. We have forgotten the freedom of compassion though. The days in Kendriya Vidyalaya where I spent my childhood learning, one thing which was etched in my mind for being a good citizen was the morning pledge. I took pledge all those years which said – “All Indians are my brothers and sisters”, it never said – “All Hindus are my brothers and sisters”, it never said – “All other religions are a burden on my country”. But then why so many of my friends who would have taken similar pledge are behaving so differently today. Has our education gone down the drain? Who has taught us more? Politicians? Characters of hatred? Where is the compassion?

I am a Hindu by faith and my religion or any of the mantras during my any of sanskars on several occasions never said – you have to hate other religions to prove worthy of your faith. Lord Rama or Hanuman or Krishna never asked men to save them or their religion. But let’s keep religion separate because if pundits or fake yogis are reading this, they would love to manipulate interpretation of some of the Veda’s content to prove me wrong. Anyway, I am neither a religious preacher.

To talk about science, while a man can use electricity to cook a man’s food or cook a man too. Depends on usage. Similarly, religion has been a tool for hate mongers to use it in their own ways to spread lies and hatred among humanity. While I am referring to science I must say, if you are able to read this post, you must be literate enough to understand basic science and its usefulness in our day-to-day life. Yes, that computer in your lap or on your table, that smartphone in your hand. That’s a boon of science. If science has made society a better place, how can we use it to go beyond horizons? If Bertrand Piccard’s Solar Impulse has taken a full round of world without fuel in 2015, it is science.

When I turn to social media or news channels, everyone is debating on politics, murders and other’s tolerance levels. Where are we up to? Where is Indian society going? While a 44-year-old Elon Musk born in South Africa is making it big in the United States, you can argue about our own Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella. They all would have got such environment or some would have struggled to become what they are. Can we make that struggle easy?

How can a student focus on general knowledge if day-to-day life is full of so much filth and hatred? A student who must be asking questions on science, commerce, and arts is now participating in hatred sessions, asking people about their religions. Because our society is on that way. A sales and marketing director of one MNC commented on my Facebook post trying to preach me why should we be wary of other religions, along with this he quoted me as “an educated fool” responsible for all the wrong happening with this nation. I agree I am the one fool who asks questions, or questions those who are red-handed. I should have accepted silently whatever happened. No, but my education doesn’t teach me that. It makes me a free thinker and compassionate person. I know most of you out there are/were free thinkers, but if you keep your mouth mum on every time nuisance is created, you are no less than a wrongdoer because this country’s future is in your hands too. If you don’t care for your own future, please do care for your younger generation. A generation learns from its elder ones, see what we are teaching them – Killing humanity. No brotherhood. Religious differences and hatred.

Hatred will lead to the end of civilization in this very nation where civilization started once across Indus valley. You, whosoever you are, you should care. You play games all day or you run business all day – you’ll have to care and we all will have to care. Rise above religion and politics. Voice your opinion, raise voice against wrongdoers. You are one of the kings of this Loktantra. Work for future and become an example for youngsters. Be a hero for them. Be an Elon Musk or Satya Nadella or Sundar Pichai or Kailash Satyarthi or Sania Mirza or Saina Nehwal or Kalpana Chawla or Mary Kom or Priyanka Chopra or Chanda Kochar or Indira Nooyi or Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. Be someone to look up to. I am not saying become someone else, be yourself but be an example for those who’ll look towards you in future. Be the one who cares for a nation, not just a religion.

India is India because it didn’t choose to become Pakistan in 1947. So let it be an India. All men and women irrespective of their faith/religions must and will be respected equally. If someone tries to paint a picture otherwise, he/she is a traitor. Not the others who raise voice against them. That was a huge preachy stuff. Wasn’t it! Though it was from the heart.

Guest Post, written By Raman Kumar

The author is a digital marketing enthusiast with interests in social and political issues. He has been writing about freedom of speech, political intolerance & social issues and believes that discussions lead to awareness, which can be transformed into actions to further shape society and future of the nation. To read more from him you can visit: The Purple Street

[The views expressed are of the Individual author]

Pray for the World

By farooq

On November 14, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

As the morning dawned, and my twitter feed was abuzz with Paris, scrolling down woke me up from sleep. Another terrorist attack. Another after Baghdad, Beirut and countless other Middle Eastern countries who have been the target of violence by ISIS.

I was sad, angry and feared for what might come next. No, not from ISIS but the backlash. I was guilty too. My first instinct was to tweet or put up a Facebook status to condemn it. Tell the world about how “Terror has no religion” and free my conscience like the countless other Muslims out there on Social Media. Yet, before doing that itself, I was feeling guilty.

No, not because it was the “Islamic State” terrorists and the fact that I’m a Muslim too, but something else.

I feel guilty that it has become a “regular” news for me to see Middle Eastern countries being torn apart and thousands being killed and yet it doesn’t bother me much, unless there is media coverage. I know, like many others, people are dying. Yet, this Paris shooting affects me more and pushes me to write something than those innumerable ones in other countries with less white population. I am guilty.

It’ll be a pretty lame excuse to say,” Why the world is selectively outraging over this?”, because it defeats the purpose. We can argue that there isn’t media coverage given, but if we wanted to raise issues, who is stopping us? But the truth is, unless it truly affects us, we don’t give a damn.

There have been countless bombings in Middle Eastern countries by people whom we do not refer to as Terrorists. Superpowers who actually created and harbored these organizations for their own benefit, forgetting the fact that it can come back to bite them. Or that was the intention all along?

I don’t even have a count of the number of people who have suffered. Can you imagine the “Islamists” killing Muslims? The number is more than Non-Muslims. And yet somehow these are the people with whom the world associates Islam with. Not with the Muslim victims, many of whom are seeking shelter away from their homeland, people who are driving them away, and who have somehow started representing “Islam” for the world and many of its’ Islamophobics.

There is no point in telling that “I condemn the violence” in those many words, because the people who understand, “that for terrorists, it doesn’t matter which religion you follow”, won’t need it.

People who understand that “Terror has no Religion”, won’t need your condemnation. Those, the ones who need, won’t try to understand this.

One cannot imagine the pain of the people who have died. Apart from expressing solidarity, we cannot do anything. Do a little symbolism by sharing pictures, changing facebook DPs and then we’ll get back to our lives. People who created these monsters wouldn’t want this instability to end.

Terrorism has this habit of uniting people together into condemning it, but it is that vicious circle of terror which refuses to end. Apart from praying, we just cannot do anything than remain mute spectators.

This poem was being circulated on Social Media and wanted to share this as well. Pray for the World by Karuna Ezara Parekh

So, let us pray for the world to save us from monsters who do these heinous crimes as well as the ones who create them.

“Whoever kills a an innocent Human, it is as though he has killed the entire humanity” ~ Quran.

Intellectual Symbolism

By farooq

On October 31, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

Intellectual Symbolism is currently engulfing the nation and most of its news headlines.

When news of Sahitya Academy award winners broke, it was one of the kinds which we term as “symbolic”, and we continue to do the same. Several Sahitya Academy awards have been returned.
Filmmakers, led by Dibakar Bannerjee, around 11 of them, have also joined the protests.
They have been joined by Historians and even scientists. A group of 135 scientists has signed an online petition to register their protest as well.

Just a quick word before you proceed, Remember Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi was the epitome of Intellectual Symbolism. Dandi March? Civil Disobedience movement?
But then, we are a nation now being re-built on the ideals of Nathuram Godse, why does that matter.

Coming to the point.

Why are they returning their awards?

To protest against the growing intolerance in the country. To protest against killings of fellow writers. To protest against killings with regard to what people eat.

Are they wrong?

No. Protesting against something which you feel isn’t right is an acceptable practice of any democracy. Considering we are the largest of them, it is right on their part to do so. We can call it Intellectual Symbolism or use any such term but we cannot say they cannot protest.

Is their method wrong?

Debatable. I’m of the opinion that if you have the means to voice your opinion then instead of Symbolism you have to do that.

However, Right to dissent is very much a part of our constitutional democracy and returning awards which belong to them, is part of that right.

There are questions being raised, as silly as, “Where were they when that happened” and “renowned” writers like Chetan Bhagat are even asking very relevant questions of what is the importance of Historians.

What do historians do? I am genuinely curious. This happened. Then this happened. Then this. Ok work done for the day.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 30, 2015

Support from Bhakts is natural. They see any form of opposition to Modi or BJP or RSS as anti-national or Pakistani. The Bhakts also take immense pleasure in using others as well for people who don’t agree with them, apart from occasionally killing or assaulting them, but then for sanity let’s leave it at that.

There’s a fair share of opposition from the closet Sanghis too. Not on the fact that they are wrong in protesting, but why are they protesting now when they didn’t do it then? The classic technique of, when you cannot answer them, hit them back with another question.

I cannot speak for all of them. Neither will it matter to the ones who are following the herd mentality of blaming them for not speaking out when someone other than their favorite BJP was involved. Many of those writers did raise their voices, even during emergencies, wrote extensively during the dark Kashmir period and also when corruption was at the peak during UPA. But then, who checks all that? Especially when you have Chetan Bhagat to listen to? Rather read to.

People often comment on my posts as to why you didn’t say anything when that happens, or when that happens? Fact is because you won’t do it for me. You won’t Outrage when a minority loses a life, rather rush to label it as a one-off incident. Because you’d blame the “fringe” and then happily vote for a party that represents them.

Probably the Symbolism isn’t right and there might be many among them who are doing it just for the limelight. But then did you give them any choice?

The first comment on any article criticizing Modi is by a bhakt calling the writer with the choicest of words. Abuses that they get from saying anything against Modi go to extents that are baffling. Don’t you think they will be scared? Scared to speak out as they’ve seen people being killed for speaking out?

So, before you condemn them for speaking now and supposedly not when they did before, be thankful that they are at least doing it now.

Or if you don’t want them to return awards, do something to change the intolerant atmosphere.

It is not the first time that someone who has raised his voice has received flak from the online hate community. They have gone to the extent of abusing Sonakshi Sinha when his father has made any comment against BJP. They’ve gone after Noble Laureate Amartya Sen. The Finance Minster has even termed the current flock as “Rabid”.

You are also free to register to protest against this fashion of Intellectual Symbolism via peaceful protests, but stop blowing the trumpet of, “where were you when that happened?”.

The Bihari Identity

By farooq

On October 29, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

There’s a certain sense of home-like attachment, when I’m around Biharis, not to forget that I’m a sort-of Bihari as well. I’ve never been able to associate completely with the feeling of belonging to one region. Born in Odisha (then Orissa), grew up in Jamshedpur, which is now in Jharkhand, but until the start of the Millennium was part of Bihar.

I’m a Bihari. I’m a Jharkhandi. I’m an Odia. Maybe a few years down the line after staying in Bangalore, a Kannadiga too? (Long Shot). I’m an Indian. I’m also a Pakistani, as some Bhakts would like to call as well.

Identity Crisis? Not really.

It is a distinct feeling when in the company of fellow Biharis, reminiscing about nostalgic Bihari memories or using dialects which others are not very used to. And no, for the Nth time, it’s not just Bhojpuri. Food, culture, language are not the only thing, It is about an Identity which we all share, the Bihari Identity.

It is not like I don’t relate to anything other than Bihar. Is there a Jharkhandi Identity ? Frankly No. Because, even though it became a separate state, our identity continued to be that of a Bihari. My shift from Azad Basti (Jamshedpur) to Jatni (Odisha) has taught me a lot, But the romanticism of being a Bihari, is something that just doesn’t fade away even after years of staying there. It all flows out, from being excited about anything to do with Gangs of Waaseypur to simply random talks with batchmates, colleagues or even people online.

There’s a sense of belonging whenever I’m with any of those people with whom I share my identity. But yes, having grown up in Bihar, you are pretty much stamped with that identity. The Bihari identity has been a slang for “backwardness” for decades, and there’s no denying the fact. Stamped by whom ? The ones who considered themselves comparatively developed. Perhaps a case of a less black kettle calling the more black kettle, Black ?

Bihar gets its share of limelight whenever there is an election. I won’t deny that I’m writing this post as it is in news. But then, isn’t this the only time you’ll actually listen ?

Biharis have a lot of stereotypes to deal with. Yes, apart from being a synonymous slang for being backward. I can list them out for you, but then people who are not even familiar with it, will start looking through those glasses only. Realistically, that is how stereotypes grow.

The only time Bihar finally tried to peep out, or at least appeared to, when Nitish Kumar first took lead as the chief Minster. News of something good happening to Bihar, to all those Biharis outside the state, was something which made them beam with joy. Regardless of political affinity, everyone was proud. Looking a little back, when news of the Railway turnaround under Lalu Prasad Yadav was around, people were proud too. Biharis were proud too. All of this, wasn’t about political affiliations, but about the identity that it is associated with.

I’ve known Bihar, like any other kid who grew up in it. Experienced the joy when living outside and hearing something good out of it. However, for reasons of my confused identity, even to others, never been subjected to the bihari slang. Frankly, this is something I wouldn’t mind. I’m proud of my Bihari Association, just like everyone who has a connection to the state.

Growing up in Jamshedpur, perhaps one of the few Industrial cities that the state of Bihar could boast of, didn’t brought us close and personal with the under-developed areas of the state. But even with living there, you are not completely alien to what is happening around. The state was indeed under Gunda-Raj, under Lalu, and there’s no denying that. Development was absent. One can argue that there were fewer riot-like situations, but then this was not the only thing Bihar needed.

The only times Bihar sort of got development was in the form of various Railway Minister, train lines did pass across Bihar. However, what they only ensured was Biharis travelling outside the state in search of work get options of alot of trains. Just go into the general train compartments of any Long distance train, you’ll find Biharis in there. Stereotype ? It is in fact a reality. A sad Reality.

Has Bihar developed in the last 10 years of Nitish ? To answer this, you have to be a Bihari.

For the politically sound Bihari, this puzzle wouldn’t be hard to crack. Because our politics too is part of our Identity, the Bihari Identity. Be proud.

Request from an Indian Muslim

By farooq

On October 16, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

How would one describe the emotion when you are constantly reminded or questioned about your right of living in your country?

Anger.

Outrage is so much easier.

People like us, can be mocked as the “keyboard” activists, whose outrage ranges from a blog post or numerous facebook and twitter posts. From the list of activities in a day, almost half of it is consumed by arguing endlessly with people whose ideas are never going to change. Yet, since we have so much time on our hand and the constant urge to not sit idle, we just never stop shouting about issues.

There are few who relate to us, few show their solidarity, few feel disgusted of every word we utter and even few who laugh at our plight.

Those of you who know me from Jamshedpur, understand how difficult life has been, and it has only been with Allah’s blessing, it has become a little stable. I doubt there is anyone in my family who even speaks about politics, national issues or everyday controversies. Except my late Grandfather who was into anything political. I’m pretty sure that my non-facebook using Ammi , if comes to know that I write things concerning issues like these, her first words would be, “kya zarroart hai tujhe ye sab ki?” (What is the need of all this).

Do you think any of us who do all this on Social media or elsewhere, likes doing it? We would feel ashamed if a non-Indian even points to incidents happening in this country to us. Even if some of you wouldn’t want to believe, it is our country too. We don’t need to do a Surya Namaskar to prove that. A lot of us have far better things to do. The concern of the most of the Indian muslim focusses around earning bread for his family. If you don’t believe, just take a walk across any of the city suburbs, ghettos, you’ll find a lot of us. Do you think they care who is in the government? Or whether there is a ban on anything or not? Or that there is something called Love Jihad? All this information doesn’t give them their bread.

[Image courtesy: Saddahaq.com]

I’ve outraged a lot, be it shouting aloud about why I’m not sorry about eating beef or criticizing Modi to questioning the Closet Sanghis.

Outrage is Anger.

But it is not just about the anger. All this is Sad. If the present situation doesn’t make you sad, then I question you. Just like everyone is questioning our identity. And please don’t start the chain of messages of solidarity, if you really care about it, then do something.

From those politicians who is hell bent on sending us to Pakistan and anyone among you who never stops at putting that as a reference in your jokes. From deciding what we should eat and killing if we don’t comply and even justifying the same. More than the mob which killed Ikhlaq in Dadri, the MPs from the government telling, “If you eat beef, this will happen”. Not just that, the Chief Minister of a state proudly suggests, if Muslims don’t stop eating beef, they can go to Pakistan?

If what MPs, Chief Ministers and spokespersons of the ruling party, then this happens to be a Hindu Nation?!

I can list down Muslim freedom fighters, Kings, Nawabs and others who actually fought to get us this freedom which is now being shown to us as some sort of charity. And even if list them down, those of you whose ideology still roams around India to be a Hindu nation, will ignore that piece of information.

If you really care about the Idea of India, then do something to save it. Instead of responding to the Dadri Lynching with “A hindu killed in Bihar by Muslims”, “Why were you silent when that happened?”, “What about Godhra?, try to understand that the Idea of India is being removed brick by brick. Now it is just a few bricks, but if this continues there will be a bigger wall between us. A wall which won’t be easy to break.

Please consider this a request from an Indian Muslim and save the idea of our country. It is neither yours nor mine, it is ours.

The closet Sanghis

By farooq

On October 15, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

While Facebook pages never get tired of sharing anti-Pakistan content as cater to a select “audience” which orgasms on content like this. It’s appalling see how even “educated” people share things like these. The only thing this does is, add to the stereotype, bring in more hate and continue to paint a picture far away from reality.

Of course, there’s no point in arguing with idiots, but these idiots help create more of their kind. The obsession of anything to deal with Pakistan, the zeal to see “wide-eyed” sensationalized news and to show glaringly show their Islamophobic feelings, becomes apparent so often.

These are the people who are “the Closet Sanghis”, the Indian Islamophobia affected class.

Iis not amusing to see your timeline filled with status updates which read, “There is a powercut at my place, why isn’t the PM speaking”, “There was a robbery in my neighbourhood, why Isn’t the PM speaking” and many other similar ones. Of course the idea behind this is to mock at all the outrage over how everyone, except the 31%, has been crying relentlessly asking a statement from the Modi.

This is that part of the population, which couldn’t muster up the courage, unlike those BJP leaders who visited Dadri to pacify the mob who lynched a 50-year old man on the rumors of eating beef. They had to keep their voices down and wait for something a little “grey” to put their thoughts out to the world.

(Image courtesy: dnaindia.com)

Meet the group, which is more dangerous to the idea of India than the RSS. At least they are open to what they want to do in India. The closet Sanghi, even though sympathizes with RSS and wants almost the same things like them, but is a little afraid to blurt it out. Perhaps, suffers from the “Log kya kahenge” Syndrome”.

To add to their problems, a list of eminent writers have been returning their Sahitya Academy Awards in response to the communal propaganda of the government. Arguments as silly as, “Why didn’t you returned it in ’84?” or “Why didn’t you do it “in the year when BJP cannot be blamed” ? have surfaced all throughout the Social media. Not just that, one of the writers from Punjab had to face the obnoxiously irritating Sambit Patra on why she didn’t returned the award in ’84 ? All she could reply was, she got the award in 2002.

While Chetan Bhagat seems to be making more sense to the Closet Sanghis now-a-days, the list of authors andpoets across the country continue to add their names to the list of writers who are showing their protest.

Of course, you can question the intention of these writers. You have the right to protest or speak what you feel like. No one can stop you from doing that.

But how come your hypocrisy comes to light when the same is being done the other way round ?

Why cannot the citizens of this country question Modi on not speaking up on important issues ? Now, don’t say that he has “better things to do”. Tweeting “get well soon”wishes and trying to take jibes at political opposition shouldn’t come in that category. Or is that the only thing he is good at ?

I doubt we would have even heard him speak if it was not the Bihar Elections!! His mouth has been programmed to open only when he is at a political rally, giving speeches to NRI’s-cum-taking potshots at Indian political opponents, or giving pre-decided interviews to select news channels. Not ready to face reporters out in the open yet ?

I’m not expecting him to answer anyways. After years of the Horrific 2002 riots in Gujarat, all he could come up with was, “If a puppy comes under you car, you of course feel sad”. No points for guessing that the victims of Gujarat were the puppies.

For Dadri, he wants people not to blow it out of proportion, when all he needed to do was come out and condemn the incident just when it happened. But then, why expect him to Not play to the Sanghi gallery ? Even the Closet Sanghis wanted it.

I’m not sorry that I eat Beef

By farooq

On October 6, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

Beef.

It took me a lot of effort to write this post. You’d think, for someone like me who has been vocal on social media, it shouldn’t be difficult. Right?

Penning that first word itself has put me in a lot of dilemma, whether writing this was a bad idea in the first place.

I eat Beef. So do many others around the world. And so do many in India. Almost all muslims in India, have at some point or the other eaten it as well. I know for many of you it might be offensive to even hear me say that I do this.

Frankly, I’m not sorry.

In many parts of the country, terms like “Bade ka Gosht”, “Bhakkad” and the likes are used instead of bluntly referring to it as, Beef.

Over decades we took special care not to be offensive. When friends would ever ask, whether you eat Beef? The answers would be vague enough to not show that we do. Yes, at some point or the other, our parents have told us to try not to openly say it to others.

But that time has gone. It went off when an old man was killed for eating Beef. Oh sorry, on rumors of eating beef!

Forget just that, for than the shameful act of actually killing the person, it is the people who are actually trying to justify the act. Trying to find reasons on blaming the family by labeling them as thieves?!!

The world might laugh on hearing this news, but we in India, “The beef eating Muslims”, aren’t. we cannot. Be prepared to add another clichéd label on your next vilayat visit, where you’ll happily enjoy alongside other beef eating people, who aren’t Muslims!!

Beef is offensive to you?

Alcohol, pork and many of the religions which have anything to do with idol-worship might be offensive to many, if they don’t come from the same thought school as you do. Would you also help us get rid of all these?

Many out there are nothing but hypocritical fools, who won’t eat beef but are okay with showing off their leather jackets or their new branded bags. Where do you think leather comes from? From the vegetable skin that you eat?

The idea to call a beef ban is not to ensure that it doesn’t offend religious sentiments, but to try and show power that now the fringe can do what they feel like. They want to show that we, the minorities are at their mercy. But sorry, that ain’t gonna happen. We won’t back down, if you think we would. Our Idea of India is not a Hindu nation. We have fought for it’s freedom too. Are my fears of how the nation is going to be, before the elections, coming true ?

You are completely okay if you don’t want to eat beef, and we do try not to offend you to. No one goes and sets a slaughter house near a temple or in a densely populated population which doesn’t eat meat. It is mostly located in muslim ghettos far from the comfort of your homes. The fact that a lot of our population is depended on this trade, their livelihood and the three square meals their families get, are depended on it, makes it more important than anything else.

If any of us, tries to shove beef down your throat, or try to show disrespect to your values, then I’d be sorry.

But, I’m definitely not sorry for eating beef.

To you, the hypocritical Nationalists.

By farooq

On August 13, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

These two images are from completely reliable sources (Bloomberg and Infomine). How the International Oil prices have taken a dip over the last year. You don’t have to be an economist to understand the impact of Oil prices.

Now, just compare the rates of Petrol or Diesel back then and now. When this government came to power the Oil per barrel was $108/barrel and stands at $46/barrel now. But has the common man seen any change in the price ? No.

Are we seeing any debates on issues like these on National Televisions ? Are we witnessing how news anchors rush to ask all the BMW waalas about their response on Oil prices ? Where did all our activism go over this last year ?

The last time rupee took a dive down, my timeline and almost all the social media was filled with questions as to what the government is doing ? Jokes on Dr. Singh and of course the ever fav “Italian” Sonia Gandhi. Amazing, how you all feel “proud” of Indian Americans making it big, but still bring her ethnicity whenever you feel like. The present Foreign minister had on record claimed she would shave off her hair if Sonia becomes the PM back in 2004. Of course, she didn’t become one and we were spared the dare.
The PM before this joker was silent on almost everything, this one only opens his mouth when he steps on a Poll campaign. Can someone please tell him, PM isn’t PR minister? He has time for election campaigns. Spending time on “Mann ki baat”, attending marriage ceremonies in expensive suits, wishing Happy Birthdays to every Tom dick and harry and when people question him for days on Dadri, what does he come up with ?
I doubt anyone apart from the ones who have opposed him since long would do. Or when they would do, will be branded as Rabid Anti-BJP elements.
It’s sad you know, most of you were shouting how people even say Yaqub shouldn’t be hanged. Now the same you has plainly ignored everything when Aseemanand, or Kodnani or Bajrangi are given bails, forget about being hanged. You were all so excitedly blaming someone else’s religion just a few days back. Whose religion should I blame for this ?
No, I won’t blame your religion. But I do blame idiots out there, the so called “Nationalists” who have dug a hole of hypocrisy and refuse to come out of it.

Wake up, before they start putting more people to sleep. Literally.

I wrote this piece before elections and what I feared is finally coming true.

But then, you put these guys into power.

The Pakistani Reference

By farooq

On June 12, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

Shahrukh Khan, an actor who has made India proud through his craft, is world famous, married a Hindu, continues to essay characters from various faiths in his movies and is loved by people for a lot of reasons, can be targeted for speaking about “Intolerance” by just having a Muslim name. Then imagine the plight of any other Muslim.

Imagine someone with a full beard, a skull cap and is not even famous.
The Pakistani Reference, will never leave us. At least not till people vote to power jokers like these.

Not just this, to defend Muslims, we need to justify their existence. Despite, being a Muslim, Kalam was a Patriot.
Ikhlaq’s son was in Airforce. The Vice President, also a Muslim, has been accused falsely on multiple occasions as well.
Shahrukh’s father was part of Freedom struggle. So, our existence depends on doing something “notable”?

“If you don’t agree to this, Go to Pakistan”

Time and again, one leader from the mainstream (Oh yes, now the fringe is the mainstream), can be seen proudly echoing these sentiments. Be it for eating Beef or voting against them, the “Pakistan” reference never fails to go out of fashion. Although when it came to trying to make Yoga mandatory for school children, ones who opposed the move were asked to drown in the sea. Thankfully no one asked, which sea, and the answer might just be on similar lines.

To put things in a logical perspective, just refresh the History tab of the Indian Browser. 1947, India got Independence. For reasons that are complex in their political and egoistical approach, the proposed two-nation theory saw the light and a separate state of Pakistan state for Muslims was carved out. Muslims who wanted to cross-over did, and same with Hindus who crossed over to this part of the country. There was no compulsion on the Indian Muslims to go to Pakistan, and those who wished to stay back, were free to do so. For starters, even though the Two-nation theory was put in place, the Indian state wasn’t a Hindu-state but a secular state (in essence and later constitutionally) of India and an Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

There were of course many, especially those who propagated the two-nation theory in the first place like the RSS, who still harbor the same idea. RSS, for the uninitiated was an organization which didn’t took part in our Independence and boot-licked the Britishers. Now, of course, they are back in the mainstream to again push for the same agenda of converting this into a “Hindu-Rashtra”, under the guise of their politically active sister party, Bharatiya Janata Party.

Coming back to the Pakistan reference, the cultural identity of an Indian Muslim is subject to constant scrutiny as always. What we eat, what we wear, what we speak, where we pray and what we even think is all open for discussion. If you’re silent after a terrorist attack anywhere in the world, you are by default seen as someone supporting the act.

Muslim-ghettos are on many occasions referred to as “Mini-Pakistan”. Ghettos are mostly a result of post-riot insecurity and fear of backlashes. India has witnessed many such riots and formation of these ghettos are a result of these. Lack of development or rehabilitation is of course absent from these regions from a good amount of the year, but close to elections it gets frequented by the politicians. Indian Muslims, for a long time, have been nothing but vote bank for them. Recent issues of discriminations are just a matter of gaining media attention, but they have continued since long.

Identity of an Indian Muslim

To stress on the divide between the Hindus and Muslims, to bring the existing difference of religious dissimilarity, organisations are constantly pushing their agenda towards an “Us vs Them”. All the problems that our country faces are a result of minority “appeasement” and it is because of them that the country is facing so much of troubles. One has to agree with everything that the megalomaniacs at the centre does, else you aren’t being supportive enough for the country development. That is the general statement, which is on loop since this government started off to bring acche din. To those saying acche din won’t come, should just see what has happened to all the chargesheeted/accused in riot cases or bomb blasts, who don’t happen to belong to the minority communities, all are free. The fringe is on the loose, issuing statements at their will without any word of caution from the government. The only time the mouth speaks is, when chest-thumping is required.

The Identity of a Muslim living in India is a subject of debate every other day. The “Pakistani” reference is just one of the many ways to increase differences and bring about a situation of an “Us vs Them”. Just to add, whenever you see a Green flag with a crescent and a star it is not always a Pakistani Flag, but might be an Islamic Flag.