Friday, December 09, 2022

Stop right-wing bullies, stand with victims: Congress, secular parties must ask their wings and workers to get to streets against injustice



By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi 

1. I respect Mr Jairam Ramesh sb but he blamed parties like AAP and AIMIM for Congress' defeat though Majlis fought very few seats & didn't harm Congress.

2. No party has right to all votes, many parties are needed. Sometime voter wants VOICE, ALLY, not win. NSUI, YC, didn't stand with us when bulldozers came. They dont stand in front of BD, VHP 

3. It's not correct to blame others. In state after state, when not accused but victim's houses targeted after making false claims, people hoped Congress workers would come, make human chain, stand in front, at least, show support and resistance. But no stand, not even PCC statement

READ: Stop calling parties 'vote cutters', more parties better for democracy

4. You must ask all the wings ranging from NSYI to YC, Women's wing to Sewa Dal, and numerous others that why they don't show confidence, hold demo, give memo, claim streets, show that they have concern. If there are demos, they are just for cameras. Plz ask them to get active.

5. It is not mere victory that is sufficient. There are factors ranging from society's psychology, impact on masses, narrative, the perception, use and misuse of media, hold on streets and giving impression that you too have certain power. If secular parties don't work on these aspects, it's of no use.

NOTE: Earlier posts were not about one particular Muslim party, rather, it was about Tamil Nadu model and parties ranging from TMMK to IUML, INL to SDPI and Welfare Party. Kindly stop being obsessed with AIMIM and believing that everything in the world is about those who are either with AIMIM or against it. 


Thursday, December 08, 2022

Stop calling parties 'Vote cutters': More political parties are better for democracy and also for India, Indian Muslims



By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

It's time to stop calling parties 'vote cutters'. In Central India, Gondwana party, GMS & JAYS don't have MLAs but have workers.

After custodial death or atrocity, come to street, hold demo, give memo, put pressure, ensure action. Better than having dumb MLAs. Parties needed, even if they don't win elections, they must be around as voice of different and diverse sections of people.  

There are two separate things. First is winning, getting equal share in power. That's just a dream, no major party ready to speak for you or give representation. Hence, at least, have the power to fight for rights, basic dignity and own voice. 

The old narrative that just defeat a party or stand behind another is not smart enough, you need many parties, not the ones that remain mum and teach nothing to Muslim cadre, not even letting them issue statements.

Read the points to understand:

1. "We're powerful enough to let our people commit atrocities, get them freed & felicitate them, managing every tool in the system". If someone even thinks in this way, what'd you feel? Bad. But it has not just been thought about.

2. That was the message, which was sent through actions, statements, dog whistles, media, social media. Don't many people want this power! So they do vote in accordance . 'Even our (sic) criminals' must be supported?

3. Call it heinous or horrific but they are honest about it. They 'promised' this, reminded about past and teaching lesson.

4. They said we will continue to dominate and crush rest at will. People aren't concerned about morality, but want feel of power as a community. Gives a high.

5. People of Gujarat have again voted for BJP, overwhelmingly. Nothing wrong, they want status quo & not enthused by Opposition parties' promises.

6. If majority feels that Muslims are so many & a party, might of state, needed to give them support, comfort, security, its okay. Their choice.

7. The important point to learn is that calling any party 'B team' or Team C is not at all advisable. In democracy, party fights and represents a section, its voice, has cadre on street.

8. In central India, JAYS and Gondwana parties don't have MLAs but have workers who at least hold demo, give memo and ensure compensation to victim by pursuing case of custodial death or atrocity on person of their community.

9. It raises your voice, news also gets published, officers are made to take cognizance and act. So power balance remains. It's not about just winning and losing but fighting and having cadre.

10. 'Vote cutter' or 'vote katwa' terms must not be used. More the number of parties, better for democracy. 

Photo courtesy: Abdul Rabbani, Pexels

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Hail or Wail: What Ravish Kumar's resignation, exit from NDTV means for journalism, reaction of society and devotees?


Shams Ur Rehman Alavi


1. Good, unbiased TV anchors must get due respect. But don't make demigods or form cult. Everything is not so simple either. Forget 2008 reporting or movements, not raising Qns on certain things, not showing other side's view in past, channel's role in getting victims, framed, is of course not one person's responsibility.

2. Organisation have been used in a way to give impression of 'functioning system' and allowing certain things up to a point. One programme is fine but the content pushed throughout the day on its websites and channel is often different. If just recent past of one individual gives hope, its great. 

3. But if a man did 80% things good, did not take stand on FIVE most crucial incidents of two decades that had huge bearing and led to demonizing of entire groups, were instead hushed up, how would you rate him? Okay forget past, recent past is great? Fine, let's hail, do 'jay jaykaar'. Look forward, what they do in future. Don't be a devotee. All the best but no need to worship or wail. 

4. Media doesn't work in a transparent manner. You watch one programme and feel the group is doing great. You forget, how, the same group has been doing strange things through its website or Youtube channel that you never even bother to check or properly monitor or what other things it does because one programme covers up a lot.

5. Individual's role different. If he stood up to those in power & allowed the victim's parents to speak, show the real postmortem report when teenagers were shot dead after propaganda that forced everyone to believe their involvement in an act and allowed other side's view, we will praise. Be just, get praise. In future too. But bhakti? No.

6. I will respect you because you are better than many others. But if a boy was killed in Lucknow and instantly your programme and reporter under your program, terms him 'aa&anki' without even a probe begun, trial or verdict, even before FIR filed, how can you be gold standard or 24 carat?

7. Its a masterly created system. It creates opposition too with an aim. It makes a professor appear criminal and no anchor raises question on police theory. That's crucial point. Can you return the years he spent, the time in jail? That reporter later gets award for journalism. Numerous others too got framed and their family never given opportunity to speak up and tell about their woes or what they faced.

8. I can't share media industry secrets but the guests you call for discussion, the diversity, the names and surnames, the minority community puppet propped up day after day, wearing two piece with a design to give clean chit to fascists, appears on your channel and his image created. Let's see what happens next. 

9. Change is the only thing that is permanent. We welcome change as it gives more opportunity to all. If one side gets powerful, other side too emerges in a different way. We've to see if you've commitment to resist and speak against real majoritarian beliefs at key junctures when you see emotion among 'most'. 

Not hinting at Pune case, Mumbai, Azamgarh, Batla House or Prof Gilani, many real crucial ones.

10. If you can't allow people who were framed, remained in cells, whose lives destroyed and their kids couldn't even attend last rites but in those circumstances you can't take stand that because of this system, it's fine. Nothing remains at peak, always. New resistance emerges. 

I hope new & alternative, better media emerges. This traditional media has died a natural death.  Let all independent scribes do real journalism & speak truth to power. If they do that without any exception, no caveat, they will get total support and would be hailed. All the best. But, no bhakti.

Monday, November 21, 2022

MYSTERY: Do you know population of Brahmins in India in crores, extrapolate on Census data



Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Do you know what's the exact percentage of Brahmins in the country?

Among the Upper Castes, Brahmins are the biggest group, numerous. In crores. But how many?

Last census that recorded it was in 1931. Extrapolation? 

Some say even Bhumihars got themselves recorded in 1931 census as Brahmins in Bihar. 

India is huge. Now almost 140 crore.

Over last 90 years some communities have grown faster, others grew slower.

We've statistics but only question is that is the Brahmin population of India more than population of Spain or just less than Germany's population.

Any guess--5 or 8 crore? Actually, it is not at all tough to come to a figure. Just statisticians can find out and take us. Extrapolating the Census figures and the population data that is available in public domain, it is easy to find that it is nearly 6.5 crore.

The Caste Census never took place though exercise on similar lines took place in Karnataka but findings and files are biting dust. Also, Madhya Pradesh had a sort of enumeration recently. Bihar has also decided to go ahead with Caste Census.

The count of Bhumihars has to be taken apart. The population and percentage of increase has to be studied. The other communities in Savarna or Forward Caste or Upper Caste groups include Vaishya i.e. Bania [Baniya or Banias] and Thakur or Rajput. 

Kayastha community is less than one percent now. Kayasthas origin and their place in varna system has many theories. However, as far as Pundits or Brahmins are concerned, the safe figure is just a bit less than six crores, and Uttar Pradesh [UP] having highest population of Brahmins compared to other states.

Some feel that Brahmins are not doing as good. However, the reality is that of early movers' advantage. Brahmins were ahead and hence it is very difficult for a community to keep growing always when they are already advanced, because other groups too move ahead and there is upward mobility.

Ours is a complex society. But it is not that Brahmins are doing badly either. The population of Brahmins, their numbers are also significant in India. Besides, they are still many times more in higher positions, than other social groups. So it’s not that easy to term it as doing too great or bad. It's in between.

Tipu Sultan: Great king who fought, defeated British and thus right-wing groups oppose him



By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Tipu Sultan, Sher-e-Mysore is among India's greatest kings and the only ruler apart from his father Hyder Ali, who defeated the British owned East India Company.

Those who had no hero in 18th, 19th century & their ancestors or groups didn't fight British, played no part in movements during freedom struggle but allied with British, will have problem with Sher-e-Mysore.

If only he'd got real support from Nizam & Marathas or other native states, EIC won't have been able to take over India. 


Unfortunately, even in North India and Rajasthan [Rajputana], no state went against the British.

East India Company exploited, looted, destroyed economy, causing famines & millions of Indians died. For 200 yrs Indians subjugated, mistreated on own land. Tipu Sultan alone fought & defeated British, then got martyred in battlefield.

Sultan e Shaheed, Fateh Ali Tipu Sultan still gives nightmares to people two centuries after his death. There is no bigger hero in the subcontinent in the last 300 years. Hence, he is remembered, loved and his role in independence struggle of India, is unparalleled.

For the right-wing, there is no such personality. The kings and other rulers compromised, succumbed or allied with the British, let alone fight. Hence, unable to digest the heroics and greatness of Tipu and his bravery, the right wingers try to target him, raise non issues, make false claims, allegations and oppose him in frustration. But this history can't be changed. Tipu's greatness can't be challenged.