No action, No FIR, No outrage over Rakesh Sinha's open threat during live TV debate

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) 'thinker' Prof Rakesh Sinha made a highly objectionable statement on TV.

During a debate, he alleged issued the threat. He clearly gave the warning that, 'you won't be able to survive for more than 15 seconds'.

Surprisingly, this didn't lead to much outrage. Media largely ignored it. A few websites did cover it, for example, Janta Ka Reporter. There was no action, no FIR and not even any attempt to make him apologise.

"Sinha told the panelist representing the AIMIM, “I am not even talking about Asim Waqar (from AIMIM) whose leader (Akbaruddin Owaisi) wanted police removed for 15 minutes. I am saying that if there’s a retaliation against them, forget 15 minutes, you wouldn’t even survive 15 seconds", reports the website.

"Sinha later told Janta Ka Reporter that his comments were not intended towards Muslims adding that he was merely referring to the AIMIM leaders", the website further mentions. Still, wasn't it a threat? Didn't he make the comments? The video is quite clear that he gave the threat.

This is in sharp contrast to AIMIM leader Akbar Owaisi's statement when he faced multiple FIRs and had led to debate on national TV channels, which continued for days.

Akbar Owaisi was arrested and had to go to jail. Surprisingly, Rakesh Sinha's comments--not in a rally but in TV studio and telecast live, caused little outrage.

This was during a debate on News24 channel. Sinha talked about AIMIM and then said that not 15 minutes, they would not be able to stand even for 15 seconds in case of retaliation. The line was
'.... 15 second nahi tik payenge......'

Clearly, there are double standards. Not only media ignored it and paid little attention, the authorities had no interest in such an open display of bigotry and warning. Else, we find people getting booked for sedition even when there is little evidence.

Watch him utter the lines after 17.45 minutes in this video below:

VIDEO: Rakesh Sinha's chilling warning on TV channel

Chetan Bhagat's tweet on killings in Gaza leads to outrage on Twitter: Sick, inhuman comment or just his view!

Chetan Bhagat's shocking tweet about the killings by Israel in Gaza, led to outrage on social networking website Twitter on Wednesday.

Bhagat tweeted, "What is happening to Gaza isn't fair but sadly that is the only way sometimes terrorist organizations and their supporters learn to behave".

The tweet just when Israel has killed over 200 Palestinians, many of them innocent children, in cold blood, angered Twitterati.

A twitter user with the handle@Homer2bart tweeted, 'Chetan bhagat probably doesnt' have a kid. He knows nothing about how families feel when they lose their kids in such tragic incidents".

They expressed shock and surprise that how he could write with such indifference about civilian deaths in Palestine.

Twitter uses termed Bhagat's tweet as reflecting his 'insensitivity', 'sick mind', 'inhumanity' and 'cheap thinking' for his apparent justification for the killings of innocents. Bhagat, who has written a few novels, later tweeted, that his three tweets should be read together.

"Anyone posting them selectively quoting them out of context", he wrote. But there were angry responses. Another user Vishakha wrote, "kisi apne ka khoon jab dekhte hai tab ye intellectual thoughts koi kaam nahi aate'. [When you see the blood of your near and dear ones, intellectual thoughts don't work]

But there were some tweeples who supported him too. Many said that though his statement might be inhuman or condemnable, he had a right to express his views. And that, at least, one knew where our 'celebrity author' stood on the issue of Israel-Palestine, especially, the humanitarian crisis that it has become. 

Check Chetan Bhagat's twitter account AT THIS LINK.

Rahul Gandhi's statement on Muzaffarnagar riot: Will he speak about Congress inaction on implementing Sri Krishna Commission report on Mumbai riots?

It was realy shocking to read about Rahul Gandhi's speech and his 'revelations' regarding Muzaffarnagar riots in the political rally at Indore.

Already, other aspects about his speech have come under criticism. But I am especially amazed as it comes from the man whose party has failed to act on the recommendations of Sri Krishna Commission panel which conducted probe in one of the worst communal riots that occurred in Mumbai in 1992-93.

Congress was the ruling party in Maharashtra then. For 20 years, victims have waited for justice and successive CONGRESS governments in Maharashtra, that promise implementing the report every time before election, have not acted on the promises.

Rahul Gandhi hasn't spoken a word about the conduct of Congress-NCP led state government. It was under Congress chief minister Sudhakar Rao Nai, that two separate rounds of rioting had led to nearly 2,000 deaths in Mumbai, which was known as Bombay then.

For those who felt that Rahul wants to change things for good and is in favour of clean politics, this speech his come as a letdown. Those accused of rioting, particularly, the policemen were not prosecuted. The personel who fired at innocents were saved at every step.

Still, successive Chief Ministers from Vilas Rao Deshmukh to Prithvi Raj Chouhan haven't shown any interest in implementing the Justice Sri Krishna Report. How does Congress has the cheek to talk about riots and justice!  Firstly, don't promise if it is not your intent to act.

During previous elections Congress leaders have been promising that they would do implement the report once they come to power. Accusations of framing Muslims in false cases in Maharashtra, are well-known. The state has one of the largest number of Muslims in prison. Has he ever voiced his concern about it?

Given his hold over the party, he could have got it done easily. Just a few days back, he had 'torn the bill' on convicted politicians and this ensured that Rashid Masood and Lalu Yadav have lost their Lok Sabha seats. Why don't we see such a step from him over riots? Instead, there is just hurtful rhetoric.

Secondly, the speech was objectionable, as he made a remark linking Muzaffarnagar riot victims with Pakistan. Either he doesn't understand Indian Muslims at all or he has strange people around him on whose inputs, he made this weird statement.

Martyr Firoz Khan

As an Indian Muslim, I strongly object to the community being used as a tool to settle political scores.

Further, by suggesting the possibility of neighbouring country's agencies trying to poach riot victims, he linked 'Indian Muslims' with "Pakistan', something that really hurts.

Intelligence guys may imagine things or even make guesses as it is part of their job. Once an intelligence officer had even made a foolish comment that he 'heard' that Muslims in Hyderabad, put up photograph of Pakistani leader in their homes.

He later accepted that he hadn't gone to any such house or seen such a photo. People can say utterly foolish things but should Rahul Gandhi use them to strengthen old stereotypes?

It was insensitive as for decades after independence, Muslims heard barbs and accusations about their being 'fifth columnists'. This had almost come to an end now. Indian Muslims can't be used by any outside power against their motherland. Any such suggestion is objectionable, howsoever, we suffer. 

I totally denounce the statement 

I really don't understand if he is immature or plain naive to believe anything he gets to hear and then accepts it as Gospel truth. Of course, to say it publicly is also wrong. Knowingly or unknowingly he ventured into something which Indian Muslims really detest.

Barely a week ago, an Indian Muslim army-man laid down his life on the border. He had been sanctioned leave but decided to stay back because of firing at LoC, and achieved martyrdom. If you can't take the name of martyr Lance Naik Feroz Khan, then please don't talk about this imaginary possibility either.

Till a few decades back, we often heard certain members of the right-wing parties drawing these parallels but when Rahul Gandhi says something like that, then there is surely something seriously wrong with the Congress.

LINKS:

1.  20 year long wait for victims of Mumbai riots

2. Survivors of riots continue to despair, can't even get cases registered against culprits 

Seeing a 'Sallekhana': Jain woman who had taken death vow under an ancient tradition gives up life after long fast

BEFORE DEATH

The Santhara [or Sallekhana] is a Jain ritual, under which people make a decision to voluntarily die by giving up food and water totally, which results in their death.

Though not too common, quite a lot of Jains are undertaking this vow. Its an ancient practice, as Jainism is one of the oldest religions.

An elderly Jain woman--Chain Kunwar, a nonagenarian, recently gave up her life by observing the 'Sallekhana'. She was 93.

Chain Kunwar, who was wife of late BL Jain, had decided that she had lived her life and it was of no further use. She decided to undergo Santhara. The old woman got even more frail within days, as she could no longer eat or take every a drop of water.

The Death Vow

Already, there was news circulating among the community members about a 'Sallekhana'. When she finally died, thousands had reached the place to participate in the last ritual. Munis and newly initiated monks were part of the programme.

Mortal remains in palanquin procession

The mortal remains [body] was kept in the palanquin [palki] in 'padmasana' position and after the rituals, taken for last rites.

Though a section criticises the practice and terms it a sort of suicide, followers of Jainism say that it is the highest and purest form of death.

Chain Kunwar becomes Ajeyamati Mata

Only recently, Chain Kunwar, had told her family members that she would renunciate the world through this age-old path.

She was taken to the Jinalaya [popularly known as Jain Mandir or temple] were a Saint made her take the vow.

Now she was rechristened and given the honorary name as Aryika Ajeyamati* Mata. From then onward she shunned food and water. [*the victorious, one couldn't be conquered]

Demise on Tenth Day

On the tenth day, the soul departed. Amid chants of the Navkar Mantra, and amid presenece of thousands of devotees, the funeral procession began from the Jinalaya. Some local politicians also reached to seek her blessings.

Most of those who were part of the procession belonged to Digambar Jain sect [though there were people from some other sects of Jainism and also other religions] reached there to witness the 'shobha yatra' and the last journey.

The large crowd during the final procession

"When a person feels that he or she has no more to gain from or give to the society, they take this vrat".

That's what says a Jain devout over the controversies regarding the death fast and opposition to this tradition.

"It is not about religious dogma but this is a radical and modern approach towards life and death".

"And the person who thinks on a much more philosophical plane, takes the decision, voluntarily", he says. "It is not suicide but a refined way of renouncing the world, happily", he further adds. The Jains say that it is not euthanasia, which is intentional death, do escape from pain or illness.

Spirit and Spectacle

The procession was impressive, both in terms of strength and the passion among the crowd. People were happy that a woman in the city has become a 'Sant', by taking up the vow and letting her soul escape the body.

Catching the last glimpse!

There were banners with 'Jai Mahavir' written over them. Besides, there were posters depicting other religious messages that also had photographs of the idols of Jain tirthankars.

On way one could see Jain youth lined up. Many scaling the walls, to catch a last glimpse of Ajeyamati Mata Ji. It was quite a spectacle, indeed.

'Not suicide but leaving the world Gracefully'

Rather, it is voluntary fasting to death, which is sublime form of leave from the world gracefully. Though it often comes in conflict with law, as it is a ritual and part of a religious community's heritage, there is generally no obstruction by authorities.

During the event, one could feel how India has such a unique culture with innumerable traditions [of diverse faiths], many of which are not even known to people in other countries.

As Jains are not a large community, but because they are more numerous in cities and towns, particularly, in markets and business areas, the ceremonies and practices which were not too well known earlier are also getting more coverage in media, and thus reaching the wider public. 

Ban on hijab, headscarf in Indian college against British police officers covering heads

Just a few months back it was a schoolboy's beard that was at the centre of a controversy.

Now it's headscarf that is generating a debate. A college in Karnataka's Mangalore district has ruled that the headscarf is unwelcome.

This is in sharp contrast to what British police authorities recently did: designing hijab for policewomen.

Non-Muslim White women officials have been told by the department to cover their heads like Muslim women when entering a mosque. Even the headscarf has been designed to match the police uniform. LINK

British policewomen wear headscarves, Indian Muslim student gets banned!

The British are surely going extra mile even though the Muslim population in England is just 2.4 million [24 lakh] or 3% and their country doesn't have an Islamic heritage of more than a century.

There are districts like Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), Malappuram (Kerala) and Murshidabad (West Bengal)--each having more than 24 lakh Muslims. That's to give an indication of our Islamic population in a country that has 800-odd districts.

However, it's not about population. Here in India where Islam is as much part of our culture [and an Indian religion] for over 1200 years, and where even burqa is part of social life and customs, the denial of hijab or mere 'headscarf' does appear excessively insensitive.


Strangely, what happens far away in West, seems to find its echo in a more pronounced form in India. However, we have a penchant for controversies.

The college authorities had no problem with hijab when Ayesha took admission. There was no rule to prevent her from wearing the scarf but the principal later made a false claim that it was mentioned in the rules.

The pressure of a section of student leaders led to change in the stand. The girl, Ayesha, however had confronted the student leader and had retorted that she would not stop wearing the scarf.


She even outwitted him by saying that she had no problem wearing a saffron headscarf.
Initiallly, the girl was asked not to wear headscarf to class. Later she was told that it was not allowed even on campus.

Then she was followed and there were vulgar comments, even physical attacks. Even lecturers were unhelpful and often sarcastic. And the incident at SVS College Bantwal is not a solitary case. This is happening across the colleges in Dakshin Kannada district and elsewhere.

Tehelka correspondent Sanjana's report sheds more light on it. The college principal later said that under no circumstances the girl could be allowed to set foot on the campus while keeping her head covered, as it was against the college's 'dress code'.

The Sri Venkataramana Swamy college is located in Mangalore district. In the last couple of years, the City that once known for its tolerance and affluence, has seen communal riots and rise in tension among Hindus, Muslims and Christians.

Read an earliest post on school imposing ban on beard.

More on Mangalore soon, in another post.

Taslima Nasreen issue: Have the BJP, RSS accepted 'Alternate Sexuality'?

From Narendra Modi to Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the BJP Chief Ministers are now on the forefront extending invitation to Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen to settle in their respective states.

It is interesting to see the proponents of Bharatiyata welcoming Taslima Nasrin and offering her to stay in these states.

I have absolutely no objection. Atithi daivo bhavah, that is the ancient Indian tradition.

I just wonder if the BJP-RSS leaders have read her works and what are their views about her sexual exploits, her lack of proficiency with the tongue in satisfying the partner and similar other aspects of alternative sexuality, which she has explicitly written in her autobiographical series of novels, which are not fiction but fact.

The BJP and RSS have been quite touchy on the subject. Remember the hullabaloo over the film Fire! The Sangh Pariwar has always treated homosexuality as 'Western disease' and been contemptuous of it. Seems they have overnight endorsed it and accepted as Indian Culture.

I wonder when the BJP leaders from Prakash Javdekar to Ravishankar Prasad seemed so enthusiastic about Taslima, why nobody asked them this question. Is it ignorance about her works or its a sudden broader outlook where there is acceptance of all cultures and lifestyles!

Hypocrisy or change of heart for Hindutva forces. Let it be clear.

Kolkata violence: Irresponsible Jamiat rousing sentiments of Muslims, playing with fire in West Bengal

Kolkata was in flames on Wednesday. Mercifully the violence didn't spill out of control.

As TV channels started flashing the 'alert' about Army called in Kolkata and later the images of All India Muslim Forum activists, I really got worried.

If it was a protest over just Nandigam, I could understand. But the way Jamiat brought the issue of Taslima Nasreen and also the murder of Rizwanur Rahman, it is a dangerous signal. 

For Rizwanur Rahman, the entire Bengal has come together. Further, Muslims surely have other problems to worry about than Taslima. I don't know how many protesters have read her works.

They are not readable anyhow. Even if she has written something that doesn't go well with us, we have the option not to read it or ignore it. With every such protest Taslima's stature as a writer will go up even if she doesn't deserve that much attention as an author.

Violent street protests don't serve anybody. But what perturbs me the most is the involvement of Jamiat-e-Ulama and the Muslim Forum. By communalising the issues and raising the same old 'victimhood' complex, it is not going to help Muslims of West Bengal rather anti-Muslim feelings may rise.

As I saw the stone pelting on streets and the iamges of burning car and mob clashing with police, imposition of curfew, I could imagine what must be going through the minds of many non-Muslims, 'These Muslims, the troublemakers...they are at it again'.

I am not sure about the All India Minority Forum whether it has any following amongst Muslims in West Bengal. But Jamiat's political ambitions are a cause of worry. Muslims must fight for their rights, but peacefully, as as part of the society by taking along others.

Muslims should raise their voice against atrocities on themselves and also other sections of society who are facing injustice. The minority community can't afford to be an insulated group that just speaks for itself. That's my only concern. 

Former BJP MP's diktat: Behead Karunanidhi, get Gold

Former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti has done a Haji Yaqub act, with the statement that anybody who cut DMK leader Karunanidhi's head and tongue would get gold as much as his own weight.

The immediate provocation is Karunanidhi's remark on Lord Rama. The Dravidian leader's statements are unfortunate and not in a good taste. Such statements are bound to cause hurt to millions of Indians irrespective of their religion and caste.

But this not unexpected from DMK, as the Dravidian leaders especially the pioneering ones were staunchly anti-religion, anti-temple and anti-Brahmin. Karunanidhi said that Ramayana was a fiction and termed the existence of Rama as a Himalayan lie apart from saying that Lord Rama also used to drink.

Karunanidhi is also playing to the gallery just as the BJP is trying to woo electorate by rousing sentiments on Sethusamudram project (Rama Setu). Everyone is out to fool the common man and divert the attention from the real issues to emotive ones.

Does anybody remember that Vedanti is the same person who was also caught in the sting operation on six godmen who were shown on camera, promising to turn black money into white through donations for his trust. IBN 7 had aired the sting operation earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the VHP and BJP have distanced themselves from the remarks of Vedanti but they are not going to let the issue slip away. Togadia has urged activists of VHP to file 1000 FIRs against Karunanidhi. In Bangalore the house of Karunanidhi's daughter was attacked.

But the DMK's cadre has also threatened Vedanti and VHP activists to dare set foot on the soil of Tamil Nadu. But Vedanti, Haji Yaqub and the other politicians of their ilk, know that they can get away with irresponsible statements, their diktats or so-called 'fatwas' are mere gimmicks to grab attention.

Muslim world's response on 'Sir' title to Salman Rushdie: Excessive importance, attention given to knighthood?

The photograph on the left shows Muslims in Lucknow, registering their protest against knighthood to Salman Rushdie.

Is it an attempt to provoke Muslims? And is knighthood important enough for people to get angry. It is an outdated concept.

Britain, a former imperial power, is also neither an important nation, nor the honours given by the 'Queen'.


Neither it is the Nobel prize nor any honour given by an international platform or organisation like United Nations. Meanwhile, why can't Muslim nations start some really good awards and titles for writers, activists, academicians, scientists and pioneers in other fields.

This way they can honour deserving persons both from West and the East, which would be a much better way to tackle such situations. More than 50 Muslim nations, many of them quite rich, but none seems to have an idea about what good PR is.

 I really don't understand this outrage over the outdated 'Sir', this colonial hangover. yeh angrez maai-baap hain kyaa hamaare! Still, if you are angry or offended. It is better to sign protest letters, rather than the images of people protesting on streets, unnecessarily giving it undue importance.

Mercifully we haven't seen such protests in India on this occasion except in parts of Kashmir. That's why I like this photograph. Meanwhile, on the entire issue, Mohib has written a beautiful piece at IndianMuslims.in here.

'Blasphemous' Urdu couplets: Poor understanding of poetry or growing intolerance in society

First read the two Urdu couplets:

dair-o-haram meN mil na sakaa hai agar Khudaa
hogaa vahaan zaruur chalo maikade chaleN

dil ko sukuuN milegaa kahaaN soch lijiye
masjid hai ghar se duur chalo maikade chaleN

These are two couplets of poet Afzal Manglori that have caused a controversy in Western UP. Voices for Manglori's boycott are growing shriller apart from little-known organisations issuing statements that term his poetry as un-Islamic.

There are allegations that in his ghazals, he has mocked at Ulema. First of all, there is nothing objectionable about these couplets. Such thoughts abound in Urdu poetry. In fact, Urdu poetry has been historically liberal and only those with no understanding of literature can make such a hue and cry over these couplets.

Meer, Ghalib and other greats took much greater liberty with religion. Had they been in our times they would have been labelled as 'mushrik/mulhid' innumerable times and God knows what would have happened to them.

What surprises me is that this is just a non-issue and there is hardly anything worth a protest in these couplets. Now Manglori is showing his divan to all and sundry to prove that he is not anti-Muslim. As far as Ulema is concerned, the Sheikh/Naseh/Waaez has always been a target in poetry.

Manglori says that his family has been associated with the dargaah at Kaliar Sharif and affirms that he believes in Islam.

With these couplets here on the left, he proves his credentials. In fact, they could also be used to accuse him of blasphemy.

He should also realise that these are no less dangerous because many people would not know that the metaphors of intoxication are commonly used to express devotion to the beloved who can be anyone including a holy person.

Yes, even these couplets, who knows, might provoke those who don't understand an iota of literature and poetry but when it comes to criticism they are always ready to jump the gun. I wish those who protest like organisations of Bijnore, Najibabad and Rampur, would have done this kind of 'bayaanbaazi and akhbaarbaazi' for victims of Hashimpura or some other cause.

Or, at least, they should read classical poetry and improve their Urdu.

Another blasphemy, Khushi-Kadir & Cross on Coins

Centuries ago it was observed by travellers that Indians love to watch 'tamasha', of any sort.

Ever since the electronic media revolution occurred, there is not a single day when you don't see a few controversies and though we may all, criticise the channels we surely love to watch them and comment on them.

In Rajasthan, an MLA from Jodhpur, who wanted induction in state cabinet, printed calendars that show Vasundhara Raje Scindia as Goddess Annapurna.

The trio of LK Advani, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Rajnath Singh have been depicted as Lord Brahma, Lord Mahesh and Lord Vishnu respectively. The Hindu gods are depicted the way they are but for the difference that the faces of these leaders have replaced them. The rest is all same. Another controversy is over the latest Rupee 2 coin that bears a Cross.

RSS chief K Sudarshan has smelt rat. He feels that it is Christian influence. Though this is not the Christian cross and it was introduced on coins after the visually challenged (blind) complained that they could not distinguish between the Re1 and Rs 2 coins which were almost similar in size now.

If these were not enough then the controversies of Richard Gere kissing Shilpa Shetty and the Hindu Rashtra Sena's attack on Star TV after the minor Hindu girl Khushi alias Rukku Agarwal and Abdul Qadir ran away from Surat and reached the office to tell their story. The Rs 800 crore turnover textile market of Surat shutdown in protest and Agarwal community is angry.

The girl had fell in love with the youth, Kadir alias Kabir on internet (Chatting), two years ago when she was 14-1/2. Now she is past 16 but still a long way to be treated as a major. For the entire story of the couple, click.

The Priyanka-Umar love affair and the controversy over Sachin eating a cake coloured like tricolour [Indian flag] which was termed as 'Sachin tiranga kaaT kar khaa gaye' dominated headlines in the last couple of days.

Then the controversy that has scuttled the chances [if there were any] of Narayanmurthy as a runner for the post of President. The Infosys chairman had stated that Jana Gana Man was not played because he felt that 'foreign guests could be embarrassed'. And these are just a few we remember in the last 2-3 days.

Whither civil rights: Jewellers ban veiled women's entry, Adult lovers can't marry

'We are not just beard & burqa'

Meena, 36, a tribal woman and Peter, 38, a rickshaw puller, are in love but they can't marry. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad's local arm Dharm Sena doesn't allow them to marry.

After all, Meena, is a tribal, and the Sena feels it would lead to a tribal's conversion to Christianity. They applied for marriage at the Collector's office but  the permission has not been granted because the woman is not Christian.

Madhya Pradesh has BJP government in power and Assembly has passed a bill that will make such marriages even more difficult.

The Governor has sent the bill to President. Meena's brother Radhey refutes allegations of coercion. 'Peter is a daily wager and can't lure us with any money", he says. Isn't a peculiar situation that two adults, who are in love can't marry?

Check this Link

NO BURQAS IN OUR SHOWROOMS: JEWELLERS IN PUNE

Meanwhile, jewellers in Pune have banned entry of women wearing veil in their shops. The jewellers' association has taken the step after incidents of thefts. They have written to Home Minister for permission to put up a notice outside their shop that 'Veil-wearing customers would not be allowed'.

Maharashtra Minorities' Commission chairman Naseem Siddiqui says, 'We ask every community to condemn this decision. A woman has the right to wear anything she wants. She should be given the choice whether to wear a burqa or a jeans to shop,'.

'Today they are saying that burqa-clad women robbed a jewellery store, and stop veiled women from entering the shops. Tomorrow they will say burqa-clad women robbed a bank, so veiled women will not be allowed in banks too. This is not only absurd but dangerous too,' she said.

Many of us would call it xenophobic and see it as a serious breach of citizens' civil rights. Some would even appreciate the security concerns of jewellers. However, I see more such demands coming from different quarters in future.

With Hindus and Muslims living in separate areas in each City, denial of house to person of other community causing increasing ghettoisation, the gulf between communities has widened a lot in the recent decades [years].

Can you imagine a neighbourhood shopkeeper imposing such a ban? Yes, spic and span showrooms can surely afford that because of the feeling that Muslims don't go to such expensive showrooms where branded jewellery is sold.

Malls can also impose similar bans in future. After all, a burqa [like a bearded Muslim] would appear unfashionable [even grotesque] in such modern environment. This is one of the fall outs of 9/11 that has seen rise in prejudices.


This happened all over the world. Alas, this attitude towards Muslims and burqa in Europe would not affect much but surely it does hurt when it happens in India, a country where Islam is religion of the soil for over a thousand years.

Hindus, Muslims converting to Baha'i faith in India: The Game of Conversions, Changing Religions

Apart from Lotus temple in Delhi: What else do you know about Bahais?

The lady's surname was Patel but she was not a Hindu. She was a Bahai, member of a faith, who believe in Baha'ullah

There were Mishra, Patil and Ghosh. All of them were Bahais. People with seeming Muslim names also.


That was quite confusing initially because of our notions that we associate surnames to religion.

They were born in Hindu, Muslim families but recently turned to Bahaism.

As far as Indians are concerned, what we know about the Bahais is that their most prominent place of worship in this country is the Lotus Temple in Delhi. But apart from this, most of us generally have no clue about Bahais and their religion.

That the Bahais, wherever they live, have a feast every 19 days and that they assemble at the local Haziratul Quds, is also not known commonly. In every city they have a local spiritual assembly. But when you see a Siddiqui or a Sharma as Bahai, what you make out of it?

Hindu, Muslim converts to Bahai religion

That confuses many of us. Because in India, we  associate names and surnames with religions. If someone is Rahmat Ali, he ought to be a Muslim and Ramesh Joshi should be a Hindu. Some Christians have Hindi/ Sanskrit/ Arabic names but most of the people can be identified.

Even Jains are often distinguishable due to their surnames--either Jain or Khandelwal/Shah/Kasliwal/Singhai etc. I find many Hindu and Muslim converts to Bahai faith. The Bahais are under intense religious persecution in Iran. 

This is a fact. They are not allowed to run schools and kept under state surveillance. That's really unfair. Many, in India, consider them as a sect of Muslims, which they are not--an independent religion. Bahai population is growing quite fast in India though they are not flexing muscles about their population.

Hiding faith: Not too open about conversion, growing figures as yet!

I have met a few Bahais here and there. Recently, at a programme, to highlight their issues in Iran, a journalist got irked with Bahais. 'You hide your identity', he charged them at a gathering they organised to raise the issue of Baha'i persecution in Iran.

"We don't", they said. The journo asked, 'If you believe in all religions equally then why you convert others?', the debate continued. I don't have any thing against Bahais.

If anyone wants to get converted to the faith, he has every right to do so. What I didn't exactly like are incidents like the recent marriage of a Muslim orphan girl to a Bahai family of Muslim names.

The organisers, all of whom were highly educated, deliberately mispronounced the name of the girl and hid her surname to conceal that she was a Muslim. At orphanages such things do happen routinely. As far as preaching to an adult is concerned, I am not much interested but incidents like this one are disturbing.

The Bahais claim to have followers in every country except Vatican. However, their claims of numbers seem exaggerated. In India they claim a population of 20 lakh [2 million] and tens of millions in the world. I don't think these are correct.

But it is quite clear that the Bahai faith may not be growing too fast in Europe and America, but in India, Bahai missionaries are quite active. They are working in rural areas also. However, at state level, there is no recognition of this religion as yet.

Christian and Sikhs have also converted. Among the biggest converts, however, are Parsis [Indian Zoroastrians]. Perhaps, this is because its a new faith that brings a new energy for them, and Parsis who are turned outcast after marriage with a non-Parsi, adopt this faith, which also comes from their ancestors' land--Persia [Iran].

Indian Minister's 'fatwa' for cartoonist's head!

Yaqoob Qureshi

The controversy over offensive caricatures continues all over the world. India simmered again on Friday. The 'fatwa' over the ongoing controversy regarding derogatory cartoon, has come from Meerut.

Haji Yaqub, who is a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, today announced a reward of Rs 51 crore to the person who would eliminate the cartoonist. The amount roughly translates at around $10 million or Rs 500 million.

Addressing a huge rally in Meerut in Western UP, Haji Yaqub Qureshi, said that the person who will perform this task will be weighed in gold. The announcement was made soon after the Friday prayers were held.

Naturally, media picked up the news. Such a call definitely evokes the interest of journalists. But I am wondering when will this controversy end? I think there have been enough protests [against caricatures of Prophet Muhammad in a Denmark newspaper] now in the country.

Surely, there much more serious things the Muslims need to think of. It is in the best interests of the community and its leaders to leave behind such controversial issues, and move ahead. For a Google map showing places were protests were held on this issue across the world Click here

Poet Bashir Badr's effigies burnt: Controversy, condemnation and now theft at his house

بشیر بدر : مشہو ر مگر متناذ عہ 

Bashir Badr has been in the news for wrong reasons lately. First it was the controversy surrounding his statement that he could play the role of all prophets from Adam [and later of Satan as well].

'Hazrat Aadam se le kar har paighambar aur unke aagey Shaitaan tak ta roop dhar sakta hoon'. [This is not the entire sentence, he made the offending statement brazenly and it should not be reproduced in full]

No sooner did the statement got published in Madhya Pradesh, than people came out on streets and his effigies were burnt. There was a wave of anger. The statement could not be retracted because he had said it on camera.

Meanwhile, in a mushaira, Munawwar Rana had barely read the first stanza of his couplet that Badar who was on stage itself said 'Lahaul Wilaquat' [Disapproving couplet as trash].

This was heard by the vast crowd as the mike was in the front and scores of loudspeakers blared out the Lahaul around the vast ground in Bhopal. Angered by this 'bad-tahzibi' [uncultured behaviour], local leaders and youths beat up his effigy, held demonstrations and issued strong statements against him. 


There was wide condemnation. The most senior Urdu poets of Bhopal including veteran Ishrat Qadri came on television and said that Badar had lost his mental balance. Now, he has to deal with another situation. Thieves have struck at his house. 


And people were wondering what thieves would have taken from his house as large part of his poetry is nothing but excerpts from past poets' works and picked up from little-known shayars [shaa'er] whose couplets he slightly altered to suit present day needs. Wallah Alam.

Who says Indian Muslims don't oppose MF Husain's paintings: Enough of this anti-Muslim bias, false propaganda

The photo on the left shows Muslims opposing MF Husain, the celebrity painter, for his paintings that outraged a section of Hindus.

I am not an artist. Creative art and boundaries of artistic freedom is quite a big issue and needs a bigger space.

What I know is that Muslims are targeted just because MF Husain happens to be a Muslim. So what should I do?

For every offensively perceived 'act' by a Muslim, shall I take onus and go to street to protest.

And by the same yardstick, for every crime by a Hindu, Hindus should hold demonstrations and say 'We condemn it'. This is all bullshit. Law must prevail.

Already he has cases registered against him in police stations and would be arrested if he comes to India. Many Hindus support his right to draw Saraswati and Bharat Mata. I am opposed to it. Hasn't he apologised?

The Saffron brigade that loves Salman Rushdie, is not satisfied and wants more. The problem is even when Muslims take to streets, openly opposing Husain, media doesn't report it. The photo here shows Muslims holding a banner against the painter and also holding footwear that carry the painter's picture.

Now, still, you claim that Muslims don't oppose the paintings! First, the TV Channels and newspapers don't print these photos and don't send reporters to cover these protests. Then, they claim that Muslims don't hold events. Damn it.

The following story http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/dec/16rajeev.htm appeared on the homepage of Rediff a few days back and still features in the homeapage. I am apalled and wonder what is the limit of free speech?

How can such things that are so ridiculous and aimed at poisoning minds besides creating rifts in Indian society be featured prominently? Not Togadia or Shahabuddin who are known rabblerousers, it is people like these who feature such articles need to be condemned. 

Three or four instances that fit in your ideological angle are collected and a web of lies is spun to cast aspersions. Everyone is shaken by such deaths but portraying them and seeing them in terms of Hindu, Muslim, Christian is criminal.

I am a Muslim so am I not a human? I may ask what is the value of Muslim's life during riots and carnages like Gujarat. The eye for eye case was shown on television channels again and again [of course to show the era Saudis think they live in] and the pressure mounted on government.

Rubia was Home Minister's daughter and had it been the daughter of Karan Singh it would have been the same case. In my humble opinion, if there is a big event small news stories do not get mentioned but when there is no such news, a story like eye-for-eye gets more prominence but not the death in Afghanistan.

Is it not electronic print media and the circumstances like that of Sarabjeet Singh which was taken up by the entire media as a cause but never in the past the issue of hundreds of Indians languishing in jails became a national debate.

One does not expect an opinion-maker website like Rediff.com to carry such a poor piece.

Vande Mataram and Muslims: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's controversial novel Anand Math and opposition to the song

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Every now and then this foolish controversy erupts in this country and Muslims are forced to sing this song. The courts have said that no one can be forced to sing Vande Mataram but the self-styled protagonists of nationalims try to force it.

Unfortunately the song that was described as a blot on Indian national movement is thrust upon the country. The aim is nothing but to irritate the Muslims, who unfortunately have to wear their patriotism on the sleeve all the time.

To set the record straight, Vande Matram is a song that was part of the highly controversial novel Anand Math written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. It is full of hate against Muslims.

But those who support the song have either never gone through this vitriolic novel or try to draw wedge in the country. Muslims gave to India 'Sare Jahan Se Achchha...' and Inquilab Zindabad. The first song was written by Allama Iqbal and the second slogan was given by Maulana Hasrat Mohani. 

Jana Gana Man is for everyone to sing. But the manner in which Vande Mataram that has nothing to do with patriotism is imposed by BJP governments [the Babulal Gaur government in Madhya Pradesh is doing it now] is ridiculous.

The novel supports British. It is the story of a secret society in Bengal that aims at 'demolishing all domes and mosques' with the help of British. Such xenophobia is appalling. Still, the men who matter hardly oppose the song as vehemently as it should be done.

It is sad that in secular India Mataram is not only defended but imposed on everybody. The worst part of the forcible Vande Mataram singing is that it has nothing to do with the real issues but has following nefarious aims:

1. Make Muslims appear as less nationalist
2. Create problems for them because they can't sing it [the song is written in praise of Goddess Kali]
3. Seasonal expression of venom against Muslims and effort to make them feel uncomfortable

Every Indian Muslim is millions of time more nationalist than the Singhals, Togadias, Advanis and their ilk. Each and every war has seen Muslims give their blood. But the shameless manner in which their loyalties are tested by forcing a song like Vande Matram needs to be exposed.

Read another longer post on this blog on the same issue:

From pro-Vande Mataram to anti-Vande Mataram