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.

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, just, 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. 

Ten lessons from the tragic story of Karbala: Imam Husain and his supreme sacrifice, significance of martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson

[By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi]

1. Imam Husain was one of the most powerful men in his era on the earth. Entire Islamic world was aware of Husain's status.

2. In his childhood, he played in the lap of Prophet (PBUH) who doted on his grandsons. Husain had no want for political power. His single gesture or call could bring revolution across Muslim lands but he didn't want bloodshed.

3. As Prophet's grandson, he had to keep highest moral and ethical standards and not succumb despite tricks, treachery and tyranny. He could never accept a cruel imposter or an unjust ruler's allegiance as it'd have been setting a precedent to have an unworthy or debauched man heading the ummat and this was impossible.

4. The 'bayt' or his allegiance was necessary as Yazid needed legitimacy from people in Islamic world that he had Hussain's [Family of Prophet PBUH] support. The events and the political power's cunning led to the unfortunate massacre at Karbala that is remembered till day and that inspires generations to stand for truth and justice.

5. The sacrifice proved to be the single biggest event that stunned Muslim world. Prophet's grandson and kin were slayed at Karbala. And, it was Prophet's household, granddaughter Zaynab and others who were mistreated and yet survived to tell the tale of the massacre.

6. The anger led to a massive revolution and almost everyone involved in the battle, had to pay the price. Karbala's message was for fight against tyranny and injustice, immense courage in the face of a huge force and yet not compromising when it comes to moral values, justice and ethics.

7. After Husain's martyrdom, his son Imam Zayn Ul Abideen, spent his entire life in prayers and solitude. The Prophet's lineage, their sons and descendants, who commanded moral authority, were seen as a 'threat' by rulers and hence constant attempts were made on their lives and to disconnect them and their teachings from public.

8. However, the fact that it was the House of Prophet that was targeted, makes every Muslim remember Karbala as a symbol of supreme sacrifice and it's legacy is for all Muslims and others, not just for any sect or group, alone. Unbiased and fair mind will take one close to truth.

9. The poetry and literature is full of Karbala's reference as an event that reminded people that how submission is not for a powerful ruler or monarch or worldly authority, but complete submission is for the Almighty.  

Iqbal sums it up: 

Gharib-o-sâda- o-rangi.n hay dâstân-e-Haram 

Nihâyat iski Husayn ibtida hay Ismâil

Allama Iqbal also wrote, 'Har zabaan pe qabza hai Husayn ka', and each couplet shows his depth of emotions for Imam Husain's sacrifice.

10. Last point. In entire Islamic history, either lives of Ahl e Bayt, the sacrifice of Imam Hasan, Imam Husain, Jafar, Abbas, infant Ali Akbar and Ali Asghar, or beyond this, the unfortunate events at Jamal or Siffin, the lives of individuals ranging from Mohammad bin Hanafia to Muhammad bin Abu Bakr, the stand taken by people in the harsh circumstances, have lessons for us.

 It's an amazing legacy that offers so much and it must be seen as a responsibility to carry the message. There is no scope for sectarianism here. It can't be from the prism of sects. It is not Sunni or Shia history.  

It is Muslim history and world history. Karbala's message is for all. Those who feel emotionally inspired, must stand for truth and resist immoral authority, tyranny and injustice, lead their lives on principles and values.

Two tribals lynched in Madhya Pradesh: Duo beaten to death over suspicion that they were in possession of beef

In a gruesome incident, two tribals were killed by a group of right-wing radicals in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. 

Suspecting that the tribals were carrying beef and were involved in cow slaughter, the assailants beat them up. 

As a result, two persons--Dhan Shah Inwati and Sampat Batti died while the third got critically injured. This is yet another incident in which Hindus were killed over suspicion of possessing beef and cow slaughter. 

Though mostly Muslims are targeted, there have been some incidents in the past when Hindus were attacked and lost their lives due to cow vigilantes or right-wing groups' attacks. The clipping of Dainik Bhaskar has been attached.

After the incident, the national highway was blocked. Agitated tribal community demanded action in the case. Some of the suspects have been identified and detained. The police said that efforts are on to catch the absconders. Investigation is on in the case.