Beyond Chacha Chaudhary: Legendary cartoonist Pran's comics rooted for secularism and communal harmony too [Communal Harmony Project-21]

The news of cartoonist Pran's death in a hospital in Delhi, led to widespread grief and nostalgia--both on the street and on social media.

Those who had grown up reading his comics, paid rich tributes to him, and there were numerous obituaries in newspapers and websites.

Pran, who was born in Kasur town in undivided India, is mostly remembered for his creation of the iconic Indian comic character, Chacha Chaudhary.

But the gifted artist created many more characters which include Billu, Pinki, Shrimati Ji, Channi Chachi, Dabu and Raman amongst others.

For decades Shrimati Ji was published in women's magazine Manorama. There's no doubt that Pran got immense success with Chacha Chaudhary that was published by Diamond Comics. 

I remember that initially I was not a big fan of Chacha Chaudhary because the stories were not long. Most of us got the comics for 25-50 paise from neighbourhood libraries. I expected the story to be a bit longer. Each comic had many short stories that ran into 4-5 pages.

This was unlike Lambu Motu, Rajan Iqbal, Fauladi Singh and other comic strips, which had a long story line running into 45-48 pages. However, I enjoyed reading the naughty Billu and the Pinky, the girl who was always up to some tricks. 

When Secular hadn't  become 'SICKULAR'

However, after the 'villain' Raka was introduced, there were long running stories too in the Chacha Chaudhary series.

When Chacha Chaudhary was launched, there was still a generation which was hooked to Indrajal Comics.

But Chacha Chaudhary went on to enjoy cult following. The character of Sabu, especially, made Chacha Chaudhary more interesting and different from other similar characters.

Diamond comics became the market leader. As far as art, humour and stories are concerned, there are numerous aspects that can be discussed.

However, I would like to reflect on how Pran's comics were always centred on communal harmony and inclusivity.

It was not the era when 'secular' was called 'sickular'. The stories had Muslim, Sikh and Christian characters, quite often.

There would be a Khalifa, a David, a Sardarji or an 'Amjad' in every third or fourth story in most of his comics.

When the new character, Raman, was introduced, the comic-Ham Ek Hain, was a nationwide hit. It was available at all the book stores.

I still remember that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had released this particular issue. Today, many people may not realise the importance of it. 

But the message of secularism through comics can't be underestimated. This was visible in Chacha Chaudhary, as well as other comics of Pran.

There were few other cartoonists who took care to have characters belonging to different regions and religions.

Soon, Diamond Comics lost to the new emerging Raj comics. The strips were now focusing more on crime, violence and superheroes.

The stories often showed triumph of good over evil but the message of social inclusion and harmony wasn't seen thereafter with such passion and intensity in comics of the later era.

Certainly, Pran is immortal. The man, his works, his characters can't be forgotten. 

[Photos courtesy: Pyaretoons.com]

Cracking CPMT: Muslim students in medical entrance exam, top the merit list in UP

When result of the Combined Pre-Medical test (CPMT) was announced recently, it was a pleasant surprise for the Muslim community in the most populous state of the country.

Shams Mohammad Khan topped the examination and secured FIRST place in the merit list. The second rank also went to a Muslim boy, Abu Asim.

A Muslim girl, Alia Zohra, figured at the fourth place in the merit list of the highly competitive examination. Further, Mohammad Arshad achieved seventh rank in the merit list.

The topper, Shams Mohammad Khan, hails from a village in Hardoi district. Abu Asim who secured the 2nd rank belongs to Azamgarh district. He may not take admission in any college in UP as he had already been selected in AIIMS, Bhopal.

Over 1 lakh candidates had appeared in the UP CPMT for admission to state medical and dental colleges that have nearly 2,000 seats.

While Muslim boys and girls have been excelling in examinations in different states across in the county in the last few years, the remarkable performance of Muslim students in UP, especially, in the medical entrance examination, bodes well for the community and the nation.

It requires great deal of hard work to make it to the merit list in medical entrance test. The exam is the gateway for MBBS (and BDS) courses. Fortunately, there has been the emergence of a strong Muslim middle-class in the last two decades in India. And, clearly there is increasing focus is on education.

SEE RELATED POST:

EDUCATIONAL REVOLUTION AMONG INDIAN MUSLIMS

Should India support Palestine or Israel: Ten hard facts on India's international stand and foreign policy in the light of its national interests and realpolitik

[This post has been written after Indian government voted in support of Palestine, inviting criticism from pro-Israel ideologues who thought BJP government would change its policy]

1. India is seen as a responsible nation world over, government has to be careful of its standing too while voting at UN or other fora, can't go by wishes of individuals. 

2. On TV debates, right-wing panelists say that 'Arabs never supported India'. So? Who asks to support them? Must ditch 'em, if needed. Who stops!

3. India is already doing business with Israel. We get lot of oil from Arab countries. Millions of Indians live in Gulf and send foreign currency here. This is never mentioned in TV debates. In fact, there are more Indians (60 lakh) in Arab countries than in USA and Britain together (45 lakh). 

What are the stakes for us to suddenly turn our back on these countries? Of course, if you simply love Israel because it kills Arabs or Palestinians [read Muslims], then let us talk straight, don't beat the bush [strategic interests, yes we know]. On channels you talk of real-politik and sermonise that we must keep our interests supreme, rather than going for 'passion' or becoming 'world guru, then friends, these are real interests.

4. The only difference is that Arab countries don't claim credit and aren't interested much in PR in India. The NRIs in these countries are mostly from South India, and the North Indian-media glosses over it. 

5. Indian Muslims are with national interest. The expectation or support is on humanitarian grounds. Government should strike balance, use diplomacy and see its interests. If needed, stand with any country, who stops the Viraat government? Don't play politics on us, using our names. 

6. During nuclear deal issue also, it was suggested that Indian Muslims wer against it though it was the biggest lie http://www.anindianmuslim.com/2008/07/indian-muslims-stand-on-nuclear-deal.html  

7. Then, there is another argument, 'how can we vote along with Pakistan on the same issue'. This is the reflection of the mentality, 'If your enemy is doing the right thing, you should do the wrong thing just because it is your enemy'. So if Pakistan goes on to vote for saving girl child at an international forum, will India oppose it? 

8. Truth is that only one country was against the vote for probe on war crimes. It was USA which patronises Israel. Many other countries who have major disputes among themselves, voted in favour. We are not in a position to be Israel's patron, do we want to look like its lackey, and reduce ourself to such level without any genuine benefit. 

9. Some journos and self-styled ideologues who think they were behind BJP and Modi's victory, feel they know more about national interests than Govt! Surely, Narendra Modi government knows what is in India's interests.

10. But it doesn't mean that your love for Israel, outgrows your love for your own country and the respect of your nation and its standing. Gaza killings are surely not an humanitarian issue for you, but tell us the real strategic reason, you want India to shift its international position?

Right now, the disgusting tweets that show their love for Israel, more than India, are revealing exactly the same: That sections of right-wing are so obssesed with Israel and are anti-Muslim to such an extent, that they are disowning the BJP government which they considered their own till days ago.


[This post has been written after the outrage by many self-styled strategic affairs experts and 'super patriots', who felt that India under Narendra Modi, shouldn't have voted to censure Israel at BRICS and opposed its vote on UNHRC probe for war crimes against Israel]

Read the post on 'Indians support Palestine despite propaganda' HERE
Read the post 'Irony for Israel: The world calls it a Nazi state, even Jews opposing Israel' HERE
Read the post 'Jews suffered genocide, now commit similar atrocities on Palestinians' HERE

India supports Palestine at BRICS summit and UN, opinion poll shows Indians too stand against Israel: 75% Indians support Palestine, just 15% for Israel

Of late, we often hear that the public opinion in India is shifting and is now inclined towards Israel.

You don't need to rake your brains to think about those who are behind this new found knowledge about Indian masses & public opinion.

On Monday, a journalist tweeted that within three decades, India has become one of the most pro-Israel nations.

There was nothing to substantiate this insight though. He didn't reveal what made him believe that Indians were no longer pro-Palestine.

Right-wing folks have been trumpeting their admiration for Israel. In India, the unique thing is that the same group also eulogizes Hitler.

Clearly, any state that commits mass murders, brutality and genocide is their ideal, with no moral issues for them. The vocal right-wing supporters can keep claiming that Indians are turning pro-Israel, because propaganda works to an extent.

The BJP victory or the Congress loss doesn't mean that Indian have become pro-Israel or anti-Palestine.

In fact, for a large number of Indians, it may not be an issue to align with one side. For them, it will be of siding with humanity. If any ordinary person sees the images of innocents killed in Gaza, he or she would naturally support the victim. 

Just seven decades ago, we won our independence from an imperial power that also used brutality as a state weapon against the subjects.

However, the propagandists know that if they keep repeating lies, half-lies, assumptions and their beliefs, it will have some impact on others too.

But the biggest shock for the Israel-supporter propagandists in India came on Tuesday.

India voted in support of UN resolution on Gaza, calling for investigation against Israel. Suddenly, there was silence among the pro-Israel Twitterati, as they rued and expressed sadness at the Indian stand.

For them, it was almost unbelievable that a BJP government led by Narendra Modi would continue the traditional Indian policy on Palestine. Self-styled ideologues who think they have brought Narendra Modi-led BJP to power, were upset and said that it was unexpected.

After the Indian vote at UNHRC, a journalist Sadanand Dhume, who lives in  USA, also claimed that mood in India was pro-Israel. Other pro-BJP journalists termed Indian vote as 'monumental blunder'. Indian call for implementation of UN resolution, was criticised by them.

MEANWHILE. In Rio, the Prime Minister also signed the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) censure of Israeli offensive in Gaza. What more? Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj says Indian policy towards Palestine remains unchanged.

And if you want to know about public opinion. Check this opinion poll by Hindustan Times on who should India support in the Middle East conflict. While 75% say Indians should be supporting Palestine, just 15% say that the country should stand by Israel. LINK TO THE POLL

This is the situation when it is well-known that right-wing has a disproportionately big presence on the internet. So there is no sign that Indians have turned pro-Israel, en masse. The propagandists can, of course, chant otherwise. 

Incidents of rapes in India: Under-reporting of crimes, policemen's reluctance in registering FIRs and media focus on certain states

There has been outrage over recent incidents of rapes in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders feel that UP is being targeted and they claim that UP doesn't record the highest number of rapes.

This is true. In fact, statistics can't be relied upon in India, easily. The reason is the old practice of 'burking' or  non-registration of crimes.

UP may be much behind MP as far as number of rapes is concerned, but if you have to see the 'lawlessness' or 'crime situation' in a state, then the parameter is always--MURDER.

Murder or homicide, is a crime, which the police have to register anyhow [though in case of unclaimed bodies, the police can still hush up to an extent].

They can't hush it up so easily. As far as murders are concerned, UP tops the list with 5,047 murders in a year.

After UP, Bihar is a far second with 3,441 murders, Maharashtra recorded 2,512 murders, followed by AP 2,484, West Bengal 2,264 and Madhya Pradesh 2,112.

If one goes by the basic anology of crime then the state that has most murders would also be leading in other violent crimes including rapes and molestation incident.

If UP doesn't lead and is far behind even a state which has less than half of UP's population, [and is also behind Rajasthan, Maharashtra] suspicion rises that the crimes are not being registered. In heartland, it is very common, especially in rural areas, to not register the FIRs.

Taking application, not registering FIR

In cases of rapes, it is common to take the complaint or 'jaanch mein le liya hai'. So the 'darkhwast' or 'aavedan' is taken, but the application is just kept aside, it is not registered as a crime. Its a common tendency among policemen (station officers), as they want to keep the number of crimes at the police station low.

This practice of not registering crime is common. Apart from murders, the major crimes which are considered heinous are robberies (loots) and rapes. The figure of robberies is also brought down shrewdly in many states.

Hushing up cases to bring down figures of heinous crimes

If your gold chain (or wallet) is snatched by bike-riding snatchers or looters, then ideally, a case under section 392 should be registered. Instead, the police in many states, register it under section 379 (theft). So that's how the crimes are brought 'under control'.

UP records such a high number of murders, abductions and other violent crimes, but when it comes to rape, the figure is not as high. Clearly, there is less registration of cases.  This tendency can't be checked unless superiors take the SHOs/SOs to task.

Also, the politicians should give the go-ahead to police to register each and every crime. But they also dislike the brouhaha over 'rising crimes' and let the cops continue with this practice. When one incident of rape can bring down a government or at leash push the CM to the corner, why would administration give the order to policemen to treat all complaints as FIRs.

More focus on crimes in UP than in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Gujarat or Orissa

But there is another aspect to it. UP is the most populous state in the country and being close to Delhi, there is definitely more focus on crimes here, compared to states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Gujarat or even Orissa. Media is more charitable to even other states in the North India.

There are gang rapes and rape-cum-murders in many other states, which never get covered in national media. There is also a comfort factor of journalists with certain regimes. Certain states have more crimes but it won't get as much criticism.

There are multiple factors. So, politicians and police also fear the excessive 'negative coverage'. Ideally, each case should be registered and there should be proper investigation, so that culprits are arrested. But at times there is selective [disproportionate] anger over certain cases, while there is no mention of equally heinous crimes in some other states.

Assam records nearly 2,000 rapes though UP with seven times population registered 3,000 rapes

Assam is a small state compared to UP, Maharashtra or MP. It is almost 1/6-1/7th [13-14%] in population to UP, but when it comes to rape, the difference is startling. Assam records 1,937 rapes, compared to 3,050 (UP), which is almost 2/3rd [66%].

Isn't it unbelievable? Also, there is another aspect. The huge state of Bihar records 1,128 rapes, much less than Delhi. So Delhi that has a population of around 1.5 crore registers far more number of rapes than in the entire Bihar state, which has a population of over 10 crore!

Just see the figures:

India registered 32, 613 murders in 2013

UP 5,047
Bihar 3,441
Mah 2,512
AP 2,484
WB 2,264
MP 2,112

India registered 31,967 rapes in 2013

MP 4,335
Rajasthan 3,285
Maharashtra 3,063
UP 3,050
Assam 1,937
Orissa 1,832
WB 1,685
Delhi 1,636
Bihar 1,128

[UP 19.9 crore, Maharashtra 11.2 crore, Bihar 10.3 crore, WB 9.1 crore, MP 7.2 crore, Orissa 4.1 crore, Assam 3.1 crore et al]