Dalit group's campaign to press for rebuilding Babri Masjid in Ayodhya even as Muslims' hopes fade

Now, it has been 23 years, since Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.

In the past, Muslim groups held demonstrations and protests on the anniversary of the mosque's demolition.

But over the years, there has been a decline in such protests. Except in a few cities like Delhi and Hyderabad, there are no major rallies.

Interestingly, while a large section of Muslims have now reconciled to the status quo and don't have any hope about reconstruction of mosque on the site, Dalit groups have been running the campaign in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

In this photo above, the graffiti on the wall says, 'Ab Dalito.n ki majburi hai, Babri masjid zaroori hai'. The organisation is Babri Masjid Nav-Nirman Sena which has district level chiefs in Uttar Pradesh.

Dr Bhai Tej Singh, who heads Ambedkar Samaj Party, has been a moving force behind the Babri Masjid Navnirman Sena, which was cretaed a few years ago.

The Sena president Dr Jagbir Singh affirmed that his organisation would continue to raise voice and participate in the struggle for building Babri Masjid, and will extend full cooperation to the Muslim brethren in this movement.

On December 6, 1992, Babri Masjid was razed in Ayodhya.

The then, PM, PV Narasimha Rao, had come on TV, and promised that the mosque would be built again at the same spot.

However, it was a lie. He lied to crores of Indians in his message to nation.

Muslims have trust in law and expected that mosque would be reconstructed, but it couldn't happen. With passing years, the hope too faded that this would ever happen.

Hindu women walk on fire in memory of Karbala martyrs in Chehallum ritual: Arbaeen in India

It is not just Muharram--the 10th of Islamic month of Muharram, which is observed to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain and his kin.

But, after 40 days of Yaum-e-Ashura, Chehallum [Arba'een] is also observed in India, widely.

The practices vary from region to region, even from one district to another in a particular state.

On the left is the photograph of a woman walking on fire--embers [burning coal].

This is to express devotion towards the martyrs who were killed in Karbala, which is situated in Iraq.

This particular photo is from Damoh, part of Bundelkhand region in Madhya Pradesh [MP].

Carrying the kid, she walks on fire. Hundreds other follow this practice--from Damoh to Datia.

This ceremonies take place on Chehallum and continue for 1-10 days. In Jaora, the ceremonies continue for many days.

In Jaora where Chehallum ceremonies continue for days and lakhs come from all over the country, and even abroad, thousands walk on fire, not just the select few.

The other photograph is also from Damoh. A boy walks on embers.

Irrespective of their sects, Muslims and Hindus perform these rituals. For Hindus, it is age-old practice.

They feel their kids would get blessings from the Imam, and hence bring kids along, during these rituals.

For more about Chehallum, do read this post. Lakhs of Muslims reach Husain Tekri in Jaora, to observe Chehallum. CLICK

Dozens lose vision in botched up operations during eye surgery camps: Pathetic state of healthcare in India

*16 suffer loss of vision in Chandigarh
*5 suffer vision loss in Guwahati
*43 lose eyesight in Barwani in Madhya Pradesh

These three incidents have occurred in the last couple of days in India. Patients go to these camps for cataract surgery, hoping to have their vision cleared.

Instead, their vision is lost, due to lack of post-operation care and indifference of authorities. In fact, it clearly shows the dismal state of health care in government-run camps in India.

The latest incident has occurred in Barwani in Central India. As many as 43 persons, many of them women, lost their eyesight completely. It is a real tragedy for these victims. For, most of them, now face livelihood issues.

Absolute apathy, lack of post-operation care in such camps where mass surgeries are held. Doctors come at camp, operate and leave. If patients have complaints, none bothered. Within days, infection spreads and vision is nearly lost.

Money can't compensate loss of vision

"Ankh hi chahiye, muaawza nahi". 'I want my vision back, no other compensation would do", says a woman. "Hubby dead, how will I raise kids", she said as it is she who works to eke out living for her family.

Yet another sad aspect is that mostly poor are affected and hence there is no major outcry. Departmental action hardly improves the situation. A few suspensions here and there--that's the governments' style to tackle these botched up surgeries.

Committees, reports, recommendations but NO CHANGE

However, lack of sanitation and issue of infections at these camps, don't get priority. Committees are formed and asked to give reports. After months, when reports are prepared, the recommendations are forwarded but there is again, no action, no change on the ground.

Isn't this a tragedy that this is the situation of healthcare, 68 years after independence?

Lakhs of devotees reach Husain Tekri in Jaora to observe Chehallum

A huge gathering took place at Husain Tekri Sharif in Jaora town in Central India.

Muslims, especially, Shias, from all over the world, descended here to observe Chehallum.

The Chehallum rituals are held 40 days after Muharram--the 10th of Ashura that signifies martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain and his family members at Karbala.

Husain Tekri is a famous shrine in Jaora town that is located in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh.

Jaora was a princely state in pre-independent India, ruled by a Nawab. This year, nearly 3,00,000 people participated in the rituals. 

The devout from all corners of the country, camp here in open spaces, stay in hotels, lodges and the guest houses.

The arrangements are held on a large-scale. The events are organised on an area spread over 100 bighas. The devotees pay obeisance at the 'rauzas' of Imam Ali and Imam Husain, amongst other shrines.

The unique aspect that tens of thousands of people walk on embers [burning coal]. There is a large number of pilgirms from outside the country who arrive here, stay for days, attending the rituals.

Though Chehallum is observed in places with strong Shia population like Lucknow and Hyderabad in India, the gathering in Jaora is among the biggest in the country. A large number of Sunnis and Hindus also attend it.

Now it's ghettoisation on social media too: Hindu, Muslim ghettos on Facebook, Twitter

This post is about a trend I have noticed over the years--how people change drastically on social media.

Over a period of time, they create their own 'ghettoes' on the internet, avoid opposing views and end up isolating themselves from rest of the world.

Now there is nothing wrong about interacting with the like-minded but here it is not about people who share interest in tennis, gardening or literature.

Rather, it is about how people choose to interact with those who share similar ideology, then over a period of time their positions get hardened, they get more drawn towards those people, until they create their dream world--of all those who share their ideology.

There was a nice guy who was active on Twitter. In the initial years, he was friendly with people of all sections but then everybody felt he was getting irrational on certain issues. Ideology now prevailed over sane thoughts.

Now, he doesn't fight with the oldies but simply avoids the few of them, he still follows. Most of the time, he is busy fighting the 'Rest', leading an army of Twitter-walas of same ideology, who launch mercilessly attacks on those with diverse opinions, in order to create a world of their own liking.

It is not just about Hindus and Muslims, it is also about left-wing and right-wing, the 'sickulars' and the 'bhakts'. I have seen this affect their personality. This delusion that they have already created their utopian world on internet and are on way towards changing the world, reflects in their real life too.

Just see how these ghettos come up on social media, graduating from one level to another, until you are in the Ghetto.

1. A 'like' or 'Retweet' is an incentive on social media. Criticism is unwelcome, those who criticise aren't good guys, are they!

2. Even for irrational thoughts, there must be 'likes' and those who argue or question, aren't 'my friends'. So just ignore, avoid, block or unfriend the critics--just be in your comfort zone. [There is also the 'mute' button now on Twitter, so you don't un-follow them but their voice won't reach you]

3. Side with those who think like you. The are the real friends (even if many of them you never met on the street & they don't have real photos either]

4. You will like their post, they will promptly like yours, after all, you share the same 'great ideals'.

5. You are happy with those who 'like' your post, you drift towards them even more, get into that world.

6. On Twitter too, you un-follow those whose opinions are not in sync with your beliefs, except may be a few old friends.

7. You get heady feeling with more likes and RTs by those who think alike, you keep getting
immersed in your ideology--sectarian, communal, your positions get hardened day by day.

8. So now you are getting the dose which you want, any criticism, diverse thoughts or opposing idea are unwelcome and in any case these 'uncomfortable or irritating people' are not even reaching you now.  You have blocked or ignored or filtered them by now.

9. 'Those others' in your friend list or followers list are just tolerated, and you simply wish them on birthdays, anniversaries.

10. Of course you are talking publicly and you are on social media, but it is just like a caste-linguistic-religious ghetto where you are happy with your own kind, no diversity.
Now, you are in your dream world.

PS: Just check self, if you are into this ghettoisation, too? (everyone, including this blogger, must introspect)

[For those whom I observed, more on Twitter, going up in indoctrination levels within a few years]