Tag: HINDUISM

Get off your high Horses

On June 7, 2015

From not getting a job to being denied a rented apartment, discrimination in the civil society have existed for ages. The only difference is, victims were not outspoken. To think only the “backward” and not so “broad minded” would do this, was what people who turn a blind eye to issues like these, might have thought or at least portrayed.

Religion, caste, etc apparently are considered something only pushed by the “hardliners”. People with better things to worry about like “development” have bigger things to ponder about, right?

And to think of our cosmopolitan cities being part of pushing religious agendas forward, is something totally absurd. Unfortunately, it isn’t.

Be it directly pointing out, like the incident in Kolkata where a bearded Muslim was termed as “terrorist”, or simply not accepting a job application as the Mumbai Company’s policy is to not accept Muslim candidates, or subtly hinting around responses like these. This mindset is deeply entrenched in our society for long and is passed on from generations like some sort of treasure.

Speaking from personal experience, religious based discrimination have been seen first-hand. Remember this one time in Bangalore, when I was on the lookout for a flat in my bid to move away from the PG. The very cheerful land-lord, a young 30-something guy, told me about the place in a very excited tone. After some five minutes of talk about where I worked and stuff like that, while showing me around he asked my name.

You know how some people are great at hiding their displeasure and keep it to themselves? Well, this one wasn’t the type. Name reveals your religion and asking a name is much easier than asking your religion, right? Not just his tone changed but he also asked me in a very visibly rude tone, “You’ll be cooking Beef here? Because it is not allowed.”

I was glad that I didn’t liked the place. I didn’t made a big fuss out of it that time. Just like I never do when someone from office or during my years at college, wishing Happy Independence day” on 14^th August itself or would jokingly refer as terrorist”, “Jihadi” when wearing anything remotely religious, or even sporting a little stubble. I doubt what will happen when I’ll end up growing a beard!!

It is sad to see people being so openly discriminating others, but governments or laws cannot change the thinking. One cannot blame the change in Government for this scenario completely, this has been here for long. Of course, those voices are more empowered now.

Pointing out mistakes or wrong-doing in others is easy. You can brush this issue under the many rosy carpets of the “Idea of India” where we all live in harmony. Don’t be a defensive Indian in turning a blind eye to these issues. I’m pretty sure you’ll encounter many idiots for whom their religion or caste is supreme. Stop them right there, because the idea of one being superior often leads to looking down others as inferior.

Get off those high horses or religious or caste, and learn to speak up. If you think there won’t come a time when situation is reversed, then you’re seriously mistaken. History bears testimony to this. The oppressor-opressee shifts have went on for ages. Unless this mindset is not changed, expect someone else to use this to oppress you in future. There are no dearth of idiots on either side.

PK: The Muslim Story

By farooq

On December 29, 2014

In Movies & Entertainment, Politics & Social Issues

PK.

To take the message of PK (or even OMG!!, which was a far better film than PK) in the context of just one religion is confining it to a tiny circle.

True that the movie focused mainly on how Hinduism has been ransacked by Godmen and traditions which are more aimed at money-making than spiritual, but look closely and you find it in every religion.

All religions in their most authentic forms without the time-induced “traditions” being added for the sake of uniformity, for politicization, and more importantly, convenience has diluted them. To speak about any other religion other than Islam would be wrong. First, because of the ideological difference and second, because I know comparatively more about my religion than the rest. Comparatively, is the word here.

When you notice people thronging mazaars (Sufi Shrines like Ajmer), it is the general tendency to associate it with Muslims and Islam. The question arises, whether it actually is or not?

Islam is a monotheistic religion. Muslims only believe in the concept of One True God, i.e. Allah and any associations or comparison is not part of it. So, to put it just, you are to ask for all your needs from Allah. Through all your prayers, you communicate with Allah, place your needs and desires before him, and expect him and only him to fulfill it. It is that belief, a true connection gets established. Everything depends on your intention and your belief that it is only Allah who can fulfill it.

There is a sizable chunk of Muslims, who visits mazaars, (Indian Subcontinent) and tries to bridge the connection through the saints to speedily make their desires and needs fulfilled. I have heard many Muslims term this as zarriya (pathway) to Allah, and the saints do sifarish (recommendation) for these prayers.

Now, many (includes many of my close relatives who might frown upon me saying this) follow this path. While there are others, who consider this as shirk (Establishing partners with Allah). I can go and express my views on this, but for now, it is not relevant, and for many, it will be difficult to comprehend.

These mazaars are a place where you buy some sweets to be put up for niyaaz (or fateha) inside mazaars. Practices range from placing a chaadar (piece of cloth) over their mausoleum (burying place of the saint). Some even say, they are not dead and have just put up a veil from the world. Although Islam clearly mentions “Kullu nafsin, zaikatul maut” meaning every living being has to taste death.

Now, are these part of Islam? In my opinion, it is not. But people still do it. Muslims still always follow these practices.

I don’t even want to add about terrorism and its misinterpretation of Jihaad.

As a Muslim and a believer, should I not try to bring out these practices which are not part of my religion but are being followed or people are being made to follow by the so-called moulanas ??

Now, consider the same situation for the plot of the movie PK, which focuses largely on the Hindu side of the story. Of how the religion has ended up being connected to a “wrong number” by these babas.

Is your protest driven by the fact that it is a Muslim Aamir khan portraying PK. Why single out PK, when you had Paresh Rawal playing almost the same and even more serious character in OMG!!?

Believe me, writing this line about Aamir sounded ridiculous to me. But then have heard many points to this very angle for the film’s plot.

If you protest that your religious belief about Hinduism has been hurt, then I’ll stand by you to make sure that PK or for that matter any other movie doesn’t do so again. But if your protest is based on why Only Hinduism, then please little re-think and view the whole issue in the larger context.

Religion doesn’t need Godmen but people who become men of God and form a connection with the Almighty. Who is it in your case? The God or these Babas or maulanas?