The world admires Amitabh Bachchan for many a things apart from his movies; the blend of his diplomacy being one among that virtuous list. He has had a sizable fan-following despite his fallen off box-office value post 1990, and they belong to all faiths, classes, languages, political idioms and nationalities. And while keeping this diverse fan-following content with his diplomatic grandeur, he has also had many face offs with the media about his public conduct. Much has been reported about his thriving relationships with as contrasting public figures as Amar Singh and Mulayam Singh on one hand, and Bal Thackeray on the other.

The pseudo-secularist focus of targeting anyone that may be trying to approve Modi’s governance has started to shift towards Bachchan as well now, after the latter’s open endorsement of his administrative caliber. Some of his own fans have been hurt badly due to his alliance with Modi. Bachchan has taken the usual diplomatic route to counter this situation. But, it gives enough scope for both the anti and pro-Modi posters to start shooting off their mouths and keep his blog moderators overtly busy. I couldn’t stop myself either from posting the following comment, which I shall share with my fellow Modi supporters now.

Haven’t been to your blog for a while, but I knew the Modi affair would not allow you settle down in the near future. And the reasons of it are amply clear. Modi evokes two contrasting emotions in India. Those who wish to see India as a strong and blooming country, to get rid of its “ifs and buts”, to get rid of its inefficiencies, strongly support Modi. While those willing to milk India’s corrupt and sluggish nature and wish the status quo being maintained, would always strongly oppose Modi. Because “Modi means the right change in the right direction” in a simple sentence.

How ironic, that those unwilling to debate communalism in its entirety accuse Modi of the same crime they have committed for generations now! They start debating the 2002 events from Feb 28, the day riots broke out and not from Feb 27, because if started a day earlier, they may have to explain the dynamics of the Muslim communalism that was the cause behind the Godhra train carnage and its political patronage from the so-called mainstream secular outfits.

In my teenage-hood days in the 80s, when the BJP in Ahmedabad used to be confined to a two square kilometer area only, and the Congress used to call shots allover Gujarat, Hindus had no peace in those days either. There was a family of seven Hindus burnt alive in a Muslim strong hold. Agitated Hindus responded by torching up six Muslims in yet another area. Mumbai’s top cop Julio Ribeiro had to be called in, but he couldn’t control the repeated stabbings by Muslim goons for weeks on. He then threatened to bring in tanks if the violence did not subside quickly.

The ruling Congress was known to support the city’s Muslim mafia in those days, who were additionally, part of Dawood’s extended network. A goon named Alamzeb was known to pay 20K rupees to any Muslim stabbing and killing any Hindu. Somebody killed their fellow Muslim and the money had to be paid to the victim’s family, Muslims used to openly brag of such flawed heroics in those days.

On his own part, P Chidambaram, who was part of Rajiv Gandhi’s ministry and once happened to visit Ahmedabad with Gandhi during another similar strife, had openly accused the Muslims of having supported the Muslim underworld and harmed the city’s peace in that course. A bootlegger called Abdul Latif had been elected from five Muslim dominated AMC wards in those days, while carrying out his jail term. He was latter photographed shooting dead a PSI during another riot, but always evaded arrest due to his “secular” contacts in Gujarat Congress.  He was finally gunned down by Shankar Sinh Vaghela’s cops in the 90s in yet another fake encounter, but nobody, not even the media questioned it with the Congress being Vaghela’s alliance partner.

Those residing in Gujarat have known why things finally boiled up after the brazen carnage in Godhra. Both the sides were blood-thirsty demons that targeted only innocents, but they both were and not just the post-Godhra rioters. Let there be no doubt, that the things would not have been any different without Modi. The Gujarat electorate understands this simple truth without any tinge of doubt and hence has voted back Modi as their CM twice. He is widely known to be an incorruptible, workaholic and impartial administrator throughout Gujarat. Those trying to pick up only the negative half of the 2002 story are finally getting exposed with more and more people acknowledging Modi’s true caliber outside Gujarat.

(The author, a North Indian and who as a first time voter had voted for Rajiv Gandhi in the late 80s, was brought up in Ahmedabad since 1972 and knows a great deal of Gujarat’s transformation from a Congress stronghold in the 1980s to a BJP bastion in the new millennium.)

The festival of light Diwali (or Dipavali/ Deepavali) has been observed across India and elsewhere with the usual gaiety it is known for. Occasionally, astrological stars play gimmicks with the beginning of the new year, and it occurred this time as well.

The new year of Gujarat, that normally gets observed a day after Diwali was held back this time. It finally began with Bhaidooj today.

I’ve so far loved Diwali like everyone else does, but have also since the last decade or so started disliking the amount of noise that the powerful firecrackers generate. This tendency began showing up more so, since I started meditating. I think, Indians have a lack of cohesiveness and indiscipline in their public life, which gets exposed during such public displays. The responsibility of evading firecrackers in Diwali lies solely on your shoulders therefore, and not the other way round. Watch out for, jump or duck due to them, but never do try complaining.

Diwali Candles 1

Often parents can be seen giggling around when their wards will go on rampage. The occasion becomes a license for bursting the loudest of firecrackers next to thy neighbor’s boundary wall, and not to yours own. It becomes the responsibility of those taking care of the elderlies and the critically ill, to be on their toes, or else go to hell!

Sadly enough, the nature within the urban expanse also gets traumatized due to this human misbehavior. The cuckoo living within the tree branches next to my window went silent this morning as firecrackers began going off at a frenetic pace. She normally starts with her morning Jazz just after the first twilight rays had arisen over the eastern horizon. The firecrackers terrorized and delayed her morning Riyaaz by half an hour. One can just imagine what these silent sufferers might be going through!

One can find the same incivility taking place during some other festivals as well. Some joyous folks will always overlook the midnight ban on loud speakers and make the neighboring colonies suffer throughout Navaratri. I’ve always personally found Diwali more charming, when observed as a festival of light, and tried to light a few candles myself to celebrate the occasion. At the same time, kids lighting unharmful fireworks is also a joyous sight to wish for. But, how often do we get to see such harmonious Diwalis? Instead, firecrackers with several times more than the allowed sound limit, and foolhardy ways to handle them becomes the norm of the day.

This display of rudeness in public life is indicative of the suppressed desires most eastern societies have in them. The hidden, stirring lava finds its way out one or the other way round. But, more about this later. Should stop complaining for now, lest people began calling me names. In any case, my opinion should not find many takers in a world that was full of Diwali firecrackers. So, it does not matter whether I find it the right way to celebrate Diwali or not.

Diwali Candles 2

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 1

Is there a frontier beyond this physical world? Is there a course to be followed after one had passed away? May be yes, may be not for the deceased, however the journey begins sooner than expected for those around after death. This blog post deals with the same death to funeral recount of events I had been part of since Wednesday evening after one of my female elders in my extended family had passed away peacefully. As the relatives, family members and friends gathered to decide the course until the next morning funeral, life had started rolling in different shades, shapes and metaphors.

Even-though the deceased was elderly and on her last leg of her life, the first hour went into understanding the sudden vacuum created by her passing away. Although foreseen in advance, and to the relief of the deceased and those taking care of her to some extent as well – since they had fears of more painful end than what it transpired to be at the end – the emerging vacuum could still be felt by one and all. Her relation with other elders of my extended family was the chief reason for visiting them until now. That may not be the case in future though.

As people started visiting to pay homage, things gradually began shifting from the deceased to the bereaving ones. Some were meeting after a long break and needed to be updated about each other. There would be intermittent rush to the outside Verandah to receive cellphone calls and conduct unfinished business. An occasional gaze at the style of dressing, way of walking, looks, composure, a lack of it and things of various human interest would also silently creep in. I sat in a corner observing this and the rest with the like-minded and wondered at the manner in which the life handles itself even in/after death.

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 2

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 3

Two past incidents flashed in my mind at this juncture. One took place about two decades ago when I was 20-some years old and standing at a city bus stopover with a couple of young ladies. A funeral procession passed by us on that afternoon, and as the crowd neared I saw coffin lifters turning their faces clumsily to have a dear look on the ladies next to me. Quite embarrassing and awkward for others, not for the bubbling stuff though. They knew very well the meaning of this male gaze, the essence of this male lust, and enjoyed each of those stares, undeterred by the dead body on their shoulders. In doing so, the life had won, and death had been forced to retreat. The fallen, dry leave had been swept aside, and the new sapling given its own space.

The second incident happened in 2001, when Gujarat was struck with a massive earthquake. My city Ahmedabad had its own major scars. Several multi-stories collapsed as if they had been made of cards next to my own locality. More than 700 dead and scores others missing in my city alone (not to speak about the 12000 perished in Kutch at the epicenter). Doors and concrete slabs would be seen precariously hanging from top floors, low rise structures rising at acute angles marring the landscape. Bulldozers, earth diggers working 24 hours, bringing up rubble, rotten bodies and unbearable stench. And men and women walking down roads like zombies amidst all this nightmare. The worst part was, being forced to live on road-sides, since you did not believe into your own dwellings, your own sweet homes anymore. It was like suspecting your own mother, your own caretaker.

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 4

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 5

But, something subtle, yet noticeable started taking place by the third evening. A few odd eateries opened up, streets became more functional and for the first time in a hell that had lasted for 72-hours by now and was  promising to continue for weeks on to come, men and women slyly began looking into each other’s eyes once again. This was the clearest of all signs that life was back to its normal course and death had been driven back into hibernation!

During the early morning, I sat by the deceased with three of her kids who are into their 30s and 40s and with their own growing up kids now. I could read the personal loss they just had from their faces. On some rare occasions, death can even leave some close ones crippled for life. I recently found Big B recalling his association with Shashi Kapoor, one of the most lively faces of yesteryear movies, in his own blog, and informing his extended family (blog readers and fans) how Kapoor had been living a reclusive life since his wife Jennifer’s demise. It is painful witnessing such a lasting damage after death. But life goes on as it is, in most other cases though. Mourners would get ready for the funeral on one hand, and young ladies would pass by in their best attires to the nearest Navaratri Celebrations on the other. A somber voice would recite Bhagwadgeeta for the deceased and the bereaving on one hand, and the enchanting sounds of Garba from the nearby Pandals would sink in from the other, thus unplugging life, death, spirituality and romance in one go! It is but, amazing experience! Life at its fullest!

We were at Antim Dham, an AUDA run crematorium in Thaltej area, a couple of hours later. The life after death kept me busy with observations until late that afternoon, and I decided to snap a few photographs to add to my story. What these photographs did not capture though, can be examined here: Four dead bodies lying around, one being cremated and three awaiting for their turn. Men counting hours with a heavy heart and minds elsewhere. Men including this blogger chatting about share-market, politics, movies and cricket. A few young romantic couples sitting intimately in bushes within the crematorium itself, and a group of poor kids begging for money as well. The rest can be witnessed through these jpgs.

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 6

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 7

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 8

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 9

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 10

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 11

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 12

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 13

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 14

Antim Dham Crematorium, Ahmedabad 15

And Finally, The Journey Back From Antim Dham In Ahmedabad, Through The Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway.

I laughed reading this story in the TOI, the home for all secularists. The TOI, as I know, has been a meeting-point for all secularists post 2002 Gujarat riots. I had to leave it as a regular reader, finding its one-sided nonsense unbearable in 2007, five years after Godhra’s infamous train carnage. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, since I’ve always known the TOI as one of the two newspapers reaching my home since the 1970s, my childhood days. The other being either Gujarat Samachar or Sandesh, the Gujarati stuff. But, the English media began losing its integrity in the aftermath of the BJP’s rise, which almost coincided with the Babri Mosque demolition in 1992. The questions raised by the BJP have since then gone almost unanswered by the secularists, resulting into a widening gap between two contrasting opinions about what constituted a secular and law-abiding nation, such as India.

The more under pressure they came from the Hindutva blokes, the more histrionic they became in the English press since 1992, and finally started seeming totally incoherent post 2002. There were two massacres in 2002, first the Godhra train carnage and the subsequent riots thereafter, both mindless in nature no doubt, yet the secularist chose to pick up – as usual – only the larger of the two facets, the riots part, for obvious reasons. I’ve never seen an editorial in the TOI or elsewhere in the mainstream English media, questioning the political sanctity being given by the secular outfits to the Muslim ghettoism and communalism in this nation. For them, Muslims mobbing and burning a train in broad-day light is a result of the earlier acts of Hindu atrocities over Muslims and therefore politically correct. They blame the Hindu zealots and BJP’s urban middle-class voters for whatever happening against the Hindus. Some of them even go to the extent of putting the blame for all wrongs within the Indian Muslim community on the majority Hindus.

In their opinion, Kashmir should be freed, if Jammu began fighting for its Hindu identity. They would also not mind agreeing with the 26/11 perpetrators that it was the Babri Mosque demolition and Gujarat riots that were to be blamed for the savagery they were carrying out. This sounds maddening…real maddening! What right do the Pakistanis have to poke their nose in Hindu-Muslim problems of this country? By this argument, the Pakistanis won’t be surviving even for half a day and be instantly nuked by the world community for the kind of Jihad they have spread. Besides, the history suggests Muslim rulers played a havoc on India’s heritage during their times. What will take place, if every non-Pakistani and non-Muslim started thinking on those lines, the way Jihadis and their secular friends in India do?! I worry more for the English speaking secularist, for it is they who sitting at the high places patronize the Muslim violence, and are increasingly becoming a hate figure among the not-so-affluent and affluent both (for the latter, check this out…and this…and this as well from the Indian Express, my current newspaper). How far can they continue to carry on the way they have under India’s constitution, it appalls most non (yet secular)-secularists.

The recent discovery of Hindu terror outfits is frightening for this reason, but I don’t think they can go much beyond where they have by now. Pakistan has shown where you might end up by allowing the majority terror unchecked. Nobody from within the Hindutva fold may like to tread that path ever.

So, finally a Supreme Court Judge decides to differ from whatever has been over played by the secularists for so long – the Gujarat bashing since 2002! Its a symbolic and humble gesture, yet a great indication where the exhausted secularist might be headed to.

Lila’s mother Susan Manning, sister Marie and brother Bhisma mourn as her body is prepared for cremation. File image courtesy of Theage.com.au.

I had written about the tragic death of Anand Lila Salter in Vrindavan early this year. Lila salter, the 17 year old Aussie girl, who had spent a major chunk of her life in India along with her kins and friends in the holy Vrindavan, was killed by a local stalker she knew well in February this year. Her family had asked for police protection in view of the impending threat to her life. Yet the administration failed and the unthinkable occurred. The killer, who was in a one-sided emotional bond with Lila, later committed suicide. So, it became a shut case for the investigators. Not so for Lila’s family and friends though, as they have been arguing for some valid questions to be answered.

They have launched a Safe Vrindavan Campaign, dedicated to Lila Salter now, and are looking forward to help from like-minded people from all over the world. The campaign involves signing of a petition addressed to the Indian President, seeking to see steps being undertaken for preserving the sanctity of Vrindavan and providing its Indian and resident foreign tourists with the safety and due respect they deserve.

If Vrindavan could not be made safer, if those willing to adopt Indian way of life and its culture could not be guaranteed about their safety and respect, then what should we be so proud about in India? This question becomes more significant, in view of the ongoing furor over Christian missionaries and their activities in this nation. The BJP, RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal may have some genuine concerns to raise about forced conversions (this author believes they do have, but he doesn’t agree with the way VHP and Bajrang Dal decide to behave). But, how would they justify the continuing apathy at Hindu religious places in India? What have they been doing to make Vrindavan, Varanasi and Ayodhya safer and suitable for spiritual seeking. They may have a strong objection against a section of Muslims and Christians, but they haven’t helped the true Hinduis either! It is no secret that many Hindu holy places are thronged by religious middlemen and hardcore criminals. There aren’t any vote banks for the likes of Mayawati and Mulayam Singh to be edgy about in Vrindavan. But, neither have the Hindutva organizations done anything in all these years.

I hope all of you join and forward this LILA SALTER CAMPAIGN FOR A SAFE VRINDAVAN to as many poeple as you may know about. They ask for Vrindavan – a religious and cultural place of immense significance for all Indians – being made better. This isn’t about Hinduism or Islam or Christianity alone. Why wouldn’t you join in or won’t be willing to help them?

Date: 9/18/2008     Time: 01:14:47

Ha! Just watched an overturned car next to my home. Huge dragging sound and a couple of loud thumps. Past midnight, very few around, rushed to help the victims out. But they made it on their own. Car front destroyed due to its sheer tumbling, yet the windscreen stayed together, saving lives. Shows the positive of the modern craftsmanship. Also, walking/ driving in A’bad lanes at the dead of night dangerous now. The city is fast transforming into another Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore due to sheer, explosive growth. Take care in whatever way you can.

Date: 9/18/2008     Time: 01:18:48

Car still drivable. And the guys flee away without informing the police.

I sent these cellphone messages tonight after watching a bizarre car accident next to my home. It was past midnight and being at the end of a rainy day, hardly anybody seemed around to help those occupying the vehicle. I rushed out in my balcony to confirm first it was a crash, and a major one to that, and then ran out fearing someone may need to be rescued. The car looked funny upside down with its front lights on. No smoke or fire seemed to be coming out though, the first crisis over. The front was destroyed, so was the windscreen. But the glass still seemed to holding up together by a whisker. A couple of major body parts could be seen dislocated and flung across the street.

The driver, hardly into his late teens or early 20s, was unhurt and trying to cellphone someone in a corner. Didn’t seem drunk, rather was quiet and full in control, as if this was his usual way of retiring each night. Then his fellow passenger straightened up the car with the help of those half a dozen who had made there by that time. I made a quick turn back to home, seeing nothing seemed to be needed out of me, but kept watching from my balcony, since this was a major crash and one expected them to call police and initiate due legal procedures. Nothing happened of this sort though.

I could have clicked a couple of cellphone photos, didn’t suspecting they may dislike it. Made the right move, for it would have prompted them to confront me, as things later turned out. They disappeared from the scene soon afterwards taking each nut, bolt and broken body parts of the vehicle along with them. The car was drivable of course, despite the damage suffered, and they didn’t seem interested in facing a police investigation at the crash site. They may now script a fake story  sitting at home with their lawyer making it sound like a foolproof insurance case.

The bottomline: Ahmedabad is fast growing out into another Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, a nightmare for walking and driving around (remember some of the recent highprofile BMW and celebrity crashes). Take extra care to safegaurd you therefore, when strolling out in the wee hours. I fear some drankard may crash in my boundary wall someday, for my home is located in a lane with an odd curve and with an endless stream of neo-rich and rash drivers sitting inside their expensive and powerful vehicles.

Somebody forwarded the following jpg in Gujarati tonight. It was fun reading through, but so did come along mixed emotions. I don’t know what the basic schooling reminds to you or not, but my early days at the Baherampura Hindi Prathmik Shala run by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (mid 70s-1981) came back calling to my mind. It was, like most SARKAARI schools, a wholesale picnic spot for those enrolled to be part of it. My parents were teachers, so they did not deem it necessary to send me to far flung places. There weren’t many Hindi schools in those days either. They preferred teaching me at home, while overlooking the nature of place I’d been enrolled to.

It was also the era of Sholay, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendar and Gabbar Singh. My class would get divided into small groups (gangs rather) and reenact all famous blockbusters of that time, hurling cries of “Are O Sambha”, “Kitne Aadmi The” and “Tera Kya Hoga Kaliya” loud in the air. MASTERJI (rather PANDITJI, as we kids called our class-teacher) would disappear soon after taking the roll call. I had my own small gang set up, which would slip out to play cricket at a pre-chosen venue. It was total entertainment for all us kids, until we got thrown out due to aging. It came at a huge price, though. Very few could read and write properly by the time they enrolled into high schools. Only a few could go beyond high schooling. Most came from poor households, so they did not have any desire or means to study anyway. I had my teachers back home, who compelled me to carry on until I had post graduated. My elder brothers, also a product of the same junk PATHSHALAA, went on to complete their PhDs.

Following lines made me somewhat emotional in this backdrop tonight. Emotional since they brought back the nostalgia of my childhood, and also because they reminded me of the stark realities of having India’s haves and have nots to my mind, this despite so many years after Independence.

Deewana Kishore Kumar And Deewana Me!

In a nation of so much internal strife and negatives, very few names can instill the kind of joy and passion Kishore Midas Kumar does. He belongs to that rare breed, which could hop over man-made religious, linguistic and ideological boundaries and leave their audiences fufilled and joyous. I do not get euphoric about birth dates, not even my own, and anniversaries. I do not get influenced by others easily either. I won’t be dancing around popular notions, if you wished me to do it!

A few things may evoke emotions in me though. Like, Osho Rajneesh does when discoursing. Sachin Tendulkar does when in full flow. RD Burman and Asha Bhonsle do when being in their elements.  The electrifying aura and hope, a young Indian team under Dhoni carries. My nation’s name, its culture and foods. Its days and nights as well. Scantly clad tribals walking and playing flute in a posh area like the one I live in, knowing fully well they could not buy what they built. Yet they would sing, drum and dance, as if they had the whole world under their own influence. Girls outsmarting boys in education, in life, in a totally male dominated society. Parents showing enough courage to have only girl offspring. Men lining up to donate blood and getting annihilated, as it recently occurred in Ahmedabad.

An evening with shades of beauty and loneliness in the sky. Trees swaying on sideways, as if they knew all about you, me and this universe. Cuckoos getting shriller and restive with each passing moment, as dawn nears. The poor man and the girl, who would insist they were no beggars, and were only trying to sell you items, if you wished to purchase them, leaving you dumbfounded about the disparities you live in.

A woman deceiving you from the corner of her eyes, knowing fully well how she could do this, thanks due to the prowess bestowed upon her by the creator. A kid getting ecstatic on being released, walking  bare feet in dust. His mum would always rescue him at the eleventh hour – so heroic like those Indian Masala movies. A face with a rare glimpse of spirituality. Chants of Bhole Shankar on Mahashivaratri Day. The image of an ancient Patliputra – the cradle of Indian civilization. The rigorous journey this nation went through from that zenith. Thoughts of Buddha in Samadhi. Thoughts of eternal peace he experienced. Chants of Nirvana, bells humming inside temples, spirituality about to unfold….

These are images that could move me, could make me emotional. Many more could be added in there, including that of Kishoreda, his music and his genius. They all made me what I may be today. I could not think of giving any better tribute to Kishoreda on his 79th birth anniversary tonight. Yes, I do feel euphoric about this particular day in the English calender – the 4th of August. Very few other occasions could make me emotional the way it may do!

Deewana Kishoreda Songs This Month

• Agar Tum Na Hote
• Ajnabi Tum Jaane Pehchane
• Chhoti Si Yeh Duniya
• Dheere Se Jana
• Dil Hai Mera Dil
• Dream Girl
• Gham Ka Fasana
• Haan Pehli Baar
• Har Hasin Cheez Ka
• Hawaon Pe Likhdo
• Hey Saara Zamana
• Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke
• Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna
• Ina Meena Dika
• Jeevan Ke Safar Mein Rahi
• Kya Nazare
• Maana Janab Ne Pukara Nahin
• Mere Dil Ne Tadap Ke
• Mere Doston Tum Karo Faisla
• Nakhrewali
• Nazrana Bheja Kisi Ne
• Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hamein
• Piya Piya Piya More Jiya
• Pyar Ker Liya To
• Pyar Manga Hai
• O Saathi Re
• Rim Jhim Gire Sawan
• Simti Si Sharmai Si
• Ulfat Mein Zamane Ki
• Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara
• Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai

More Kishore Kumar songs:

Ameer Garib (1974)

• Baith Ja Khadi Hoja
• Kahin Janab Ko
• Main Aaya Hoon
• Mere Pyale Mein
• Moni Aur Soni Ki

Des Pardes (1978)

• Tu Pee Aur Jee

Ahmedabad Blasts Shatter Gujarat’s Peace

Let me clarify this in advance. Outspoken Gujarati is not a Hindu zealot. Outspoken Gujju is not a Muslim hater. He is not an anti-peace or violence loving soul either. In fact, you might find him totally different, if you stayed with him in conversation for longer. He is someone who would always be in a dialogue, if it happened from both sides. There should be no misconception though, he hates pseudo elements of this country. He doesn’t like pseudo nationalists and pseudo secularists, both.

Living in the “post Babri-demolition and post 2002 Godhra carnage and Gujarat riots” era makes him more vary about the pseudo-secular polity though. Why so? Let him explain this through his ideas on this weblog. It may take time, but should make sense at the perceived end in future. What he was about to quote today is full of anger though, and carries the risk of being projected as a Hindu zealot. The explanation given beforehand is aimed at countering this.

The following is a post made out by him in response to the TOI article: Blasts revenge for Gujarat riot atrocities? They won’t be publishing it, he knows. Though, they can’t stop him (that’s myself) from writing it down in his own weblog. So here we go, my pro-Hindutva and secularists friends both. The secularists are asked to keep quiet today…this ain’t your lucky day my pals.

My Comment At The TOI

The question is not how India should tackle the Islamic militancy. What is emerging clearer with each occurring terror strike is the necessity of disciplining the pseudo secularists first. They are the one’s who provide moral support to hard-line Muslims by justifying their acts as a counter to VHP and RSS. A heinous act of Godhra train burning, which reminded one of the partition days, was overlooked. Separate personal law is taken for granted, Muslims encroaching upon Hindu rights and making violent attacks is thought out to be politically correct. Anything contrary to it would be passed on as pure communal. Caste politics would be assumed ethical. Muslim politics even more justified. One family rule in a country of one billion, a splendid act. Buying out votes in parliament ok. Keeping it hush-hush, not showing it to the masses and making out the BJP culprit instead, perfectly fine. “Tum logon mein kuchh bhi sharam bakee naheen bachee hai ab!” You are proving out an embarrassment of immense nature with each passing moment.

Forget about Gujarat riots. You have outlived it way ago. The anger among the common non-psecs is bulging out fast. I used to be an ardent TOI reader until recently. Then I moved on to another newspaper knowing you won’t be changing just like a dog’s tail. Going through your pages after so many months, only strengthens my past belief about you…that one should discipline institutions like you first before anything else.

This coming from somebody who was equally aghast when Babri mosque was demolished and when Gujarat riots took place in answer to Godhra train carnage. This from somebody who abides by the Indian law more than what you may try to fake about (with challenge). This from somebody who won’t snip off even a leaf fearing it might pain the tree. This from somebody who dislikes the way how the VHP or Bajrang Dal may prefer to behave without the neccessity of boasting about one’s secular credentials, as in your case. But, let there be no misconception about this, the first enemy is not the Islamic terror from within and outside of this nation. It’s you and your ilk that require being fought on and disciplined before initiating any other measure.

Image Courtesy Sydney Morning Herald

I came across the following story in Sydney Morning Herald, (also check…and this) and ended up writing down the following letter to its editor:

I have been logging on to your website each night, in fact very late by the Indian Standard Time, hoping to get the mainstream Australian viewpoint about the ongoing India-Australia cricket series. It became more of fun, speaking precisely, since the days of infamous SCG test match, as the two sides, cricketing and non-cricketing both, begun taking digs at each other. And it was worth going through the whole drama, your view points included. However, the last two days brought a completely different notion to this author’s mind. Not due to any of your journalistic errors, in fact you were well on target in describing about the 17-year old ‘Lila’ Salter of Vrindavan, which left this author numb and saddened like many others.

I have personally been through it, and know how it feels like awaiting one of your kin’s imminent demise. But it sounds more hurtful, when you look at how the events unfolded and how far dignified the bereaved family had proved out to be, despite being harmed in such a sinister way. They came from a remote world, and yet made India, its religion, language and culture part of their lives, more than what many of my fellow Indians might do, I know it. The fatal attack on Lila was tragic, one wouldn’t disagree about it, but it leaves me saddened more in India, because I value her compassion and the respect she had for my way of life. The realization, we failed to protect her and pay back for the warmth she came smiling with all the way from Australia, will keep us haunting for long now. May god bless Lila with eternal peace! May god bless her family with resilience!

——————

According to the latest report, she is now dead.