Monday, September 24, 2007

Reply to a virulent anti Ram blog


Monday, September 24, 2007
This blog is in response to the following virulent anti Ram and Ram Bhakth blog:

1. Even if for argument sake I accept that the BJP is exploiting the Hindus for the sake of votes, I ask you - is there any other political formation that speaks for the Hindus? So my position is I would rather be ruled by an imperfect party supporting the Hindus rather than a perfect anti-Hindu party.

2. You talk about Ram being better-off before he was monopolized by Hindutva Jehadis. But you forget that the Hindus became weak a thousand years ago when the Muslims and then the British colonized India. The Hindus began regaining strength again only through movements of Sanyasis from the 19th century onwards, culminating in our independence and the betrayal of the Muslims in the formation of Pakistan. What we see now is a reassertion of the Hindus and Ram has become a symbol of this reassertion. It is only the anti-Hindus who insult Ram. Hindus are ready to protect Rama’s legacy.

3. Though many places in Ayodhya is claimed to be the birth place of Rama, consequent to the Ramjanmabhoomi movement, the Hindus have absolutely no doubt where exactly Rama’s birth place is.

4. Your perverted mind is displayed when you associate Ram with Jehadi and again with Sonia Gandhi. Jehadi and Sonia Gandhi are foreign, but not Ram, notwithstanding his claimed birth/death place in Ukraine. This is the same situation as the many so-called birth places in Ayodhya itself.

5. You talk of a Ram who cut off a Shudra’s head. What about a Ram who cut off a Brahmin’s head (Ravana’s)? And if you say Ram had reason to cut-off Ravana’s head because Ravana had kidnapped his wife, then he might also have had reason in the Shudra’s case because the Shudra wanted no less than to conquer ‘Devlok’. Rama may have seen the Raksha in such a person who was nurturing a wish to kill celestial beings.

6. About Ram being unable to protect his queen, it only shows the mighty evil that Ravana was, who dared to kidnap even a King’s wife. If Rama had not taken avatar, Hinduism may have disappeared then itself. If Rama exiled his queen, he was only showing how a King had to clear the erroneous notions of his subjects even at the cost of paying a personal price for it.

7. When you ask which Ram is the God of Hindus, be assured that it is the Ram, one and only Ram, who has an eternal place in the hearts of the Hindus, who is a God of the Hindus.

8. About Ram being an Imam e Hind, it is the opinion of a Muslim poet. At least to that extent the Muslim poet has acknowledged Ram existed.

9. Anyone, including Karunanidhi, has the right to ask who Ram is. No doubt they will be educated on the subject in due course of time.

10. About imposing Ram on all Indians, that is the Semitic creed, to impose their only true God on all mankind. Hindus do not impose any God and hence we live and let live with all the 33 crores gods we have.

11:12:16 PM
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Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Divali holiday to be withdrawn?


Thursday, September 13, 2007
Now that Sonia Gandhi’s UPA Government has said that there is no historical proof that Ram and his contemporaries ever existed, we await the government’s withdrawing its holiday on Deepavali till authoritative proof is provided that Ram was not just a fig of the Hindu’s imagination.
10:21:55 AM
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Monday, September 10, 2007

Mohammad's Progress.


Monday, September 10, 2007

[I got the following from the Net. This outline biography, backed by the Quran, raises serious theological questions about sherk (raising partners with Allah) and whether Mohammad was the author of the Quran or at least interpolated as he wished.]

A biography of Prophet Mohammad reconstructed from ayats of Quran.

MOHAMMAD WAS INITIALLY NOMINATED AS A SLAVE
He started his career in Mecca with the rank of a Slave.
2.23 We reveal verses unto our slave Muhammad. His duties were just to warn people.
25.1 He is a warner to the peoples.

HE WAS NO BETTER THAN AN AVERAGE PERSON.
He didn't even know if God intended to put him in hell or heaven.
46.9 I do not know what will be done with me I am just an ordinary warner.

HE HAD NO AUTHORITY
He had no power or charge over the people.
17.54 We, have not sent thee to take charge of them.

AFTER FEW YEARS MOHAMMAD WAS MADE A PROPHET/MESSENGER
98.2 I am messenger/prophet from Allah.

ORIGINALLY HIS MESSENGERSHIP WAS ONLY FOR MECCA AND IT'S SUBURBS
6.92 And this (the Qur'an) is a blessed Book which We have sent down, confirming (the revelations) which came before it, so that you may warn the Mother of Towns (i.e. Makkah) and those around it.
42.7 We sent by inspiration to thee so that you warn the Mother of Cities (Mecca) and those around her.

THEN HE WAS MADE A MESSENGER FOR ALL ARABS
36.6 In order that you may warn a people whose forefathers were not warned, so they are heedless.
14.4 (Hilali / Khan) We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them.
44.58 We have made this Koran easy for thee in thine own tongue, that they may take the warning.
41.44 And if We had made it a Quran in a foreign tongue, they would certainly have said: Why have not its communications been made clear? What! A foreign tongue?(for us Arabs?)

LATER HE WAS MADE MESSENGER FOR ALL PEOPLES AND CREATURES
25.001: Blessed is He Who sent down the Quran upon His servant that he may be a warner to all the nations.
21.107 We have sent you as mercy unto all creatures.
In his new position it became mandatory for all to make Mohammad their judge in all disputes.
4.65 By the Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them.

HIS NEXT PROMOTION WAS "SEAL OF PROPHETS"
33.40 He is the "Seal of the Prophets". Seal of Prophets had additional perks of getting the top facilities in paradise.
17.79 (Hilali,Khan) Your Lord will raise you to Maqaman Mahmuda (a station of praise and glory, i.e. the highest degree in Paradise!).

HE WAS THEN PROMOTED TO "ASSOCIATE ALLAH"
As " Associate Allah", Mohammad’s orders were made at par with Allah's orders and both their names came side by side in decision making as well as authority to be obeyed.
3.32,4.13,59,69,5.92,8.1,20,46,9.71,24,47,51,52,54,56,33.33,47.33,49.14,58.13,64.12 "Obey Allah and obey Mohammed"
33.036: It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.

HIS FINAL PROMOTION WAS "ALLAH IN CHARGE"
Finally Allah decided to step down and give total authority to Mohammad.
4.80 Obeying Mohammed is obeying Allah. Giving a pledge to Mohammad became giving a pledge to Allah. 48:10 Verily, those who give pledge to you (O Muhammad) they are giving pledge to Allâh.

EVEN ALLAH SENT HIS PRAYERS TO MOHAMMAD.
33.56 (Hilali/Khan) Allah sends His Salat (prayers) and salutes to the Prophet (Muhammad SAW).

8:45:55 PM
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Monday, August 20, 2007

The Leftists - If not fear of God, then fear of BJP!


Monday, August 20, 2007
The irony cannot be missed. The left parties, particularly the Marxists, do not have the fear of God as they do not believe in God. But they do seem to have the fear of BJP. For that seems to be the only consistent reason they do not want to bring any of their contestations with the Congress led government to a logical conclusion. Verily it is said, nature abhors vacuum. If not fear of God, then fear of BJP!
2:58:33 PM
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Saturday, August 18, 2007

Taslima and M.F.Hussain - Facts vs. Imagination


Tuesday, August 14, 2007

This is in response to the blog “Why Muslims hate Taslima Nasreen” by Ansari Mohammed Rehan

http://www.ndtvblogs.com/views/viewcomments.asp?gl_guid=&blogname=rehan&q_blogid=18553&ref=8/14/2007%205:27:31%20PM

Unless there is freedom of expression, humans will be stunted. Only through freedom can truth be discovered, lived or re-lived.

To compare Taslima and M.F. Hussain is misplaced. Taslima's was a rebellion against the Islamic society that she felt was oppressing women. She is or was herself a Muslim. Whereas M.F.Hussain was simply giving wings to his imagination when he painted, for example, Sita riding nude on Hanuman's tail. While freedom of expression includes freedom to run riot imaginatively, Hussain has consistently chosen Hindu icons to be colourful with. Why no icons from his own religious world of Islam? Thus I would see M.F. Hussain as a hypocrite whereas Taslima's is a cry of an oppressed womanhood under Islam.

Another point. For example, I might find it questionable that a much married man in his 50s who again marries a 9 year old girl is touted as a model of mankind and may write about it. Would I thereby be charged for character assassination or hurting of religious sentiments? The point is, I would be basing my expression on facts like Taslima and not on imagination like Hussain.
6:02:52 PM
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Comments
Yashvin Tuesday, August 14, 2007 6:55:55 PM
You see you can't be emotional about issues like brave lady TASLIMA. Poor girl knows the truth about Islamists. Islamist Rule is simple pillage, rape, murder on the name of ALLah and you will go to heaven but should you speak on truth about unfair ALLAH than you are in danger territory as people like newly converts 'AR REHMAN' won't land you their voices; so why would MUSLIM MLA's who make the mockery of Indian legal system by breaking the law ...hitting Taslima in front of CAMERA'. Only way there would be peace on this earth is that whole of INDIA and the world converts to Islam or CHATHOLICISM or else Indians and Hindu cowards have no chance with new Khalifa Movement. Sorry I think there is a light at the end of tunnel if Indians follow American way ... pragmatic and sensible way.
infidel Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:00:50 PM
A 54 years old man who bonks a child of 9 years is a "Phedophile"If someone is having highest esteem for such pervert "MODEL" then it is his/her problem and not ours.Speaking truth is not character as*as*ination but eye-opener.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

God is not an outsider.


Wednesday, August 1, 2007

[This is in response to Listen to Me's blog of today (01.08.07) "Differentiate you must, judge you must not.]
When you say “… we are not and we can never be God or part of Him”, you appear to be making a twin-error – one, in reducing “we” to our limited physical body and two, in assuming that God is less than the whole or total or absolute. If your definition of God is only “the person (or entity) who/that created the world/universe” then certainly we are not nor can we be that entity because that entity is a thing of the past (meaning creation is over – at least this round – and thus the role of the creator is also over). But if God is defined not just as the creator, but that “which is and is not”, then we would see that everything is God in the varieties of His Truth. If everything seems so un-God-like to us in our normal state, that is only because we see with our limited understanding. The whole aim of spiritual teachings is to awaken us to our capacity to see without any limitations. Even that which perishes transforms itself into the state of is-not. Therefore it can be seen that the situation of duality does not deny the inevitability of non-duality.
5:54:07 PM
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Shocked Minister and Sleepless Prime Minister


Wednesday, August 1, 2007

While appeal options have not been exhausted and it is natural for many to be unhappy with the verdict due to emotional reasons, I am aghast that Union Minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi says he is shocked at the sentencing of Sanjay Dutt. Isn't it to be expected that if you are part of a conspiracy to bombard Mumbai you'll have to pay for it? Or is the Minister reflecting the emotion of the Prime Minister who lost his sleep worrying for the terrorists?
10:03:06 AM
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Comments
vivek Wednesday, August 1, 2007 10:17:21 AM
These ministers are must be taught a lesson during next election.
Mahesh_G Wednesday, August 1, 2007 11:35:43 AM
Priya Ranjan Das Munshi has no business in commenting about the judgement. All congress people are traitors.
ashok Wednesday, August 1, 2007 12:29:57 PM
yes all the congress people are traitors except old congress.
K.V.Gopalakrishnan Wednesday, August 1, 2007 1:00:05 PM
Some time ago there was a news that a person who was booked for a petty offence remained in jail as an under trial for over 27 long years - for an offence for which even if he was convicted he would not have got more than 6 months jail term.Neither our Prime Minister had a sleepless night nor our Minister got shocked as he was an ordinary poor citizen of this nation.Who cares for ordinary people in this country.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Sex education in schools

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Sex is a unique subject, to say the least. Introducing it as an academic subject in schools has to be done most cautiously, after much experimentation and pilot projects and studies. Imagine conducting cooking classes amongst the starving and disallowing the cooked delicacy to be sampled. Sex education should not arouse passions lying dormant in school children. Thus, the necessity of enlightened methods of imparting sex-education.


9:23:31 AM
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Comments
jkeshav Saturday, July 28, 2007 9:28:41 AM
I WOULD SAY THAT SEX-EDUCATION IS NOT REQUIRED AT ALL AT SCHOOL STAGE. LET THEM GROW IN INNOCENCE LIKE MANY OF US DID. WHY AROUSE CURIOUSITY WHEN THERE IS NO NEED. THERE WILL BE A TIME FOR THEM TO LEARN SO MANY THINGS ALONG WITH NATURE AND NATURAL OCCURANCES.
K.Venugopal Saturday, July 28, 2007 12:42:53 PM
Dear Keshavji, You have put it superbly. "Let them grow in innocence." Yes, this is the key point. It leads to the questions, who is in a hurry to teach children sex? What has occurred to make this sex education imperative? Can we see any benefits accruing out of it? All these questions cry for answers.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Stenographers - an obsolete lot?


Monday, July 23, 2007


This is in response to Vikram Bhatia’s blog “Has shorthand outlived its utility? Thanks, to computers and high-tech? posted on Monday, July 23, 2007. [The conditions for successfully posting a response in the comments slot are getting somewhat mysterious. More often than not only a blank slot stares at you!]


I am a professional stenographer and have been one since I was 19 years old. I am now 52. The advent of the PC has been a boon in the sense that the tension of transcription no longer exists. Before, a single mistake and the whole page might have had to be retyped or corrected using a "whitener", with ugly scars showing. I always tell myself the PC has been a boon most to typists and accountants. How tension-free our lives have become. That we still find other things to tense ourselves with is another matter.

Stenographers are becoming a rare breed. That august institute of Stenographers, Daver's in Mumbai, now, I understand, turns out only a sprinkling of stenos.

Bombay was the dream city for stenos and most came from the South. Bal Thackeray had once wryly commented about South Indians having conquered Bombay at the speed of 140 wpm!

Though in most offices stenographers have become obsolete, those offices that have them treat them like treasure. Maybe this was always the case because stenographers were one class who always could chuck-off their job on whim as they were in demand everywhere. Now, of course, they have become a rare commodity and so all the more precious!

Thus I wonder, am I about the last generation of stenographers? I hope not, because when a great 'dictator' tilts his head in deep thought and creates the magic of literary expression, the artiste across him captures the magic in mystical strokes and curves and ensures the enchanting prose lives to cast its spell over its targeted audience. May the best of literary minds realize the value of a steno as a sensitive aid(e) to his thoughtful outpourings and may the tribe of stenos be re-bred and grow in strength!
7:07:41 PM
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Monday, July 23, 2007
Has shorthand outlived its utility? Thanks, to computers and high-tech?
This is a debate on a subject which might interest mainly people in or linked with stenographic profession? My question to such people on the net is whether shorthand has outlived its utility to computers and high tech gadgetry like the Dictaphones etc.?
Twenty years back, the P.A.or steno in govt.offices/psus/or private offices quietly took down the notes in shorthand from his or her boss and simply typed them in the required format that is letters/notings/draftings etc. He enjoyed doing so, because his skills in fast writing were tested and he enjoyed the challenge whether in Govt.service, Courts, Parliament or offices of public/private undertakings. With the passage of time, the high tech gadgetry and advanced aides like the Dictaphones, computers etc.took over. Slowly but surely there was less number of dictations in shorthand and people with high speed in the skill slowly began to think about the utility of the skill they had acquired over a period of time. Today, with the little bit of exception of reporters in parliament taking notes in shorthand (roughly at the speed of 130 to 150 w.p.m)during the proceedings or debates (though now they also are supported by recorded version )or the laywers/advocates in courts, who dictate in shorthand to their P.A.s/stenos in fast speed for the latter to type out these court cases-petitions etc.on computers, does the need for shorthand skill, seems to be eroding slowly otherwise in other offices, thanks mainly to the high-tech invasion in all walks of life.
Or is it still in man?s own hands whether how he uses or maintains the skill of fast writing i.e. in shorthand to his own advantage inspite of the high tect gadgetry available to him or plainly dump the art and outstanding skills that were invented by Lord Ganesha (it is so presumed by many) while writing the epic Mahabharata dictated by Sage Sh.Ved Vyasa? All views sincerely discussed & posted are welcome. VIKRAM BHATIA, N.Delhi
4:53:19 PM
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Sunday, July 22, 2007

Mumbai flyover diverted to protect Haji Ali, Then why not SSCP?-Togadia


Monday, July 23, 2007
[I take the liberty to cut and paste here Dr. Pravin Togadia's views.]
7/22/2007 3:41:12 PM VHP
WHILE BUIDLING BRIDGES WITH ENEMY PAKISTAN,
DON’T BREAK BRIDGE OF HISTORY & FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN BHARAT & SRI LANKA

-Dr. Pravin Togadiya

“Sethu Samudram Project is nothing but an inhumanly cruel destruction of History, Ecological balance, Security & Passage of friendship with Srilanka. By giving futile excuse of development of an Oceanic Canal saving sea fuel costs & time, Government of India is not only trampling on the ancient faith & history but also misleading India & endangering ecology, security & a living of lakhs of fishermen at South Indian coasts.” Lamenting on the Sethu Samudram Project, VHP International General Secretary Dr Pravin Togadiya criticized the very basis of the project where the ancient bridge between India’s Rameshwaram & Sri Lanka is being broken by Govt of India.

Dr Togadiya further said,

“Those who question the faith of billions of Hindus that the said bridge is Ram Setu, built by Lord Ram & his army, very vehemently do everything possible to protect Haji Ali shrine in the Mumbai Sea Sea. The costliest flyover over the sea joining 2 parts of Mumbai has been diverted at a whooping extra cost only not to break Haji Ali. There, the same people do not mind millions of dollars of the nation are spent on extra fuel which will be burnt by the cars due to that Haji Ali protecting diversion! Same is the case with Hazrat Bal. Without questioning the faith or asking for the DNA report if the hair in that place belongs really to Paigambar, the same people have been aiding it for years. Therefore, Government’s excuse to break the Ram Sethu is NOT really palpable to billions of Hindus all over the world when it is obvious that the Sethu Samudram Project has been started ONLY to appease minority by hurting religious sentiments of the Hindus eve en at the cost of NATION’S COASTAL BORDER SECURITY, PERMANENT LOSS OF ECOLOGICAL BALANCE PERHAPS PUTTING COASTAL SOUNTH INDIA IN THE DANGER OF TSUNAMI & DETROYING THE LIVELIHOOD OF LAKHS OF INDIAN FISHERMEN- INDUSTRIES DEPENDING ON SEA PRODUCE.”

Demanding that the Sethu Samudram Project be immediately stopped, Dr Togadiya assured that the Hindus are not against any development provided it protects the nation & its heritage as well as security. He said,

“The same government is opening borders to Pakistan through rail, roads, bridged, trade but entirely cutting off the heritage bridge of trade, social contact & friendship with Sri Lanka. The same 2 kms wide Ram Sethu had been used by the people who come to Tamil Nadu for social visits, trade & Jyotirlingam Rameshwaram worship. Government gives millions of tax payers rupees as Haj subsidy for Indian Muslims to visit their religious place in Saudi Arabia, but breaks India’s own heritage bridge just because it is closer to the faith & hearts of billions of Hindus. Canal can be made in the coastal land for the boats without breaking Ram Sethu & Hindus will support it but if in spite of many feasible options for the canal, if the Government if bent upon breaking Ram Sethu to appease minority & hurt billions of Hindus, than globally Hindus will protest in a democratic manner to save Ram Sethu.”

While announcing the planned democratic protests against the Sethu Samudram Project, Dr Togadiya also explained the historical, scientific, and environmental as well as security related aspects of the Ram Sethu & the ill effects of the proposed Sethu Samudram Project in a detailed document.

10:17:16 AM
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Thursday, July 19, 2007

Unique Mohammad


Friday, July 20, 2007
This is in response to “Islam as seen through the eyes of a non-Muslim” posted by Mr. Satbir Bedi on Thursday, July 19, 2007

Dear Satbir Bedi,
Congratulations for your balanced and well-written essay. The telling point is that unlike Jesus, the Sikh Gurus or Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, who did not believe in idol-worship but never went about destroying others’ idols, Mohammad alone went about destroying others’ idols. This mind-set or tradition is what makes Islam a dangerous religion for world peace. They have no space for non-believers except on sufferance. The oft-quoted Quranic verse "To me my religion and to you yours" is not indicative of any acceptance of other ways of worship but is reflective of the spirit of "My way to paradise and yours to hell".
10:45:12 AM
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Monday, July 16, 2007

Scientific Quran?


Monday, July 16, 2007
There have ever been attempts, even in this 21st century, to prove that the Quran is also a scientific manual worthy of being studied to keep us abreast in the field of science. Even if for arguments sake we accept that the Quran has revealed many scientific secrets for the first time (like the world is egg-shaped), the fact is that since then the world has gone much ahead in the matter of science and its application. This makes the Quran, as far as science is concerned, outdated. Which is not surprising, because the scientific attitude is to be ever discovering newer and deeper truths, whereas in the Quran nothing can be updated. Furthermore, if the 'science' of the Quran is outdated, is it an indication that the rest of the Quran could also similarly be outdated?
10:39:56 PM
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Guru Gobind Singh - trapped in the clergy’s rut.


Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Sonia Gandhi as Goddess Durga, Ram Rahim Singh as Guru Govind Singh, Da Vinci character as Jesus Christ and a cartoon as Mohammad. Do these enactions infringe on the sacred space of communities? Or should we take these as depictions of the sacred to convey a contemporary message, even if political? Just as metaphor is the sustenance of language, expressions are the dynamism of life. No idea or expression should be inamenable to further expressions of whatever nature. Sonia Gandhi as Durga need not agitate the Hindus (and, admirably, they are largely not agitated) because for the Hindus expressions of the divine are endless and multitudinous and Sonia Gandhi, or Vasundhara Raje, however much we may detest their politics, have divinity in them as anyone else and there is no harm if someone express this fact even if in a not-so-original way. However, it is unfortunate that many are unable to see the matter in this light. They feel that divinity is interpretable only as authorized by its official clergy. They don’t believe in freedom of expression. The fallout we might see sooner than later as the Sikhs refuse to pardon Ram Rahim Singh for his ‘indiscretion’ in imitating Guru Gobind Singh (never mind that imitation is the best form of flattery). All that may be left to express (officially or unofficially) might be the consequent dance of death.
4:10:32 PM
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Comments
Surya Wednesday, June 27, 2007 5:40:16 PM
Isn't it ironical that people tolerate artistes portraying deities and legends in films and serials but object vociferously when people in public service are portrayed as such by their fans and followers?

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Lead, kindly light of Fatwa!


Friday, June 22, 2007

At last here is a fatwa that I, a Hindutva-wadi, support. Christians too should ponder over this fatwa. But most of all, Hindu opinion makers should take the cue from these Muslims and declare that caste politics is no longer an option for Hindu unity and the entire Hindu society shall rise as one to uplift all socially, economically and educationally backward Hindus without the outdated, divisive caste-based reservation.

Here’s what the Fatwa is about:

Six powerful seminaries, which have influence among at least two thirds of the 68 lakh Muslims in the state (AP), have said that all are equal in Islam and there is no caste system.
“Muslims all over the world are equal. There is no distinction of caste, colour or race among them. Therefore, creating distinction for reservations is improper under the Shariat,” said the fatwa from Jamia Nizamia, the 125-year-old Islamic university based in Hyderabad.
“Islam has no caste system and the government’s move is nothing but an attempt to divide Muslims,” said Moulana Hameeduddin Auqil Hussami, the chief priest of the Mecca Mosque, the scene of a bomb carnage last month.
The copies of the fatwa were released at a media conference addressed by leaders of Muslim United Action Committee, made of half-a-dozen religious, political and social organisations that had sought the opinion of the seminaries. Hussami is the convener of the committee.
The clerics said reservations should be provided to Muslims who are socially, economically and educationally backward without dividing them on the basis of any caste or “biradaries”.

12:10:19 AM
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007

India - a sad plight?


Wednesday, June 20, 2007
India - a sad plight?
This is in response to Kuttan G.S's blog and reply by Jagdish Keshav. I could't post in either of their blogs. So here goes.

How can we NOT be ashamed that we were ruled by the British? Of course, it is our fault that we came to such a pass. Unfortunately, our focus in the fight for independence was to get rid of the British and not to strengthen our unity, as should have been the case. Which is why even as the British left, we were partitioned. Much as I acknowledge that Mahatma Gandhi is one of the greatest persons we have known, I think it was his leadership that made India lose her opportunity to be united. If Congress had continued to follow the footsteps of Tilak, things may have been different.

Anyway, the past is past. Let us at least now learn what our sources of true strength are. Let us nurture nationalism.
6:11:44 PM
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Third Front's Presidential drama


Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Third Front’s attempts to nominate Dr. Kalam as its candidate is pathetic. Dr. Kalam’s nature is so transparent that any child would tell you that he would not want to stand accused of preventing a woman from being the President, as the Congress is sure to charge him if he accedes to the Third Front’s request. The so-called Third Front is a motley crowd of state-centered parties without the cohesion to take on UPA or NDA. Their Presidential drama amply proves it.
3:19:27 PM
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Saturday, June 16, 2007

Sangma as President?


Sunday, June 17, 2007
I have a gut feeling that the 3rd Front will nominate P.A. Sangma (former Speaker of Lok Sabha) for the Presidentship, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will withdraw and there will be one helluva contest.
11:45:36 AM
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Friday, June 15, 2007

President of Indians' hearts.


Friday, June 15, 2007
President of Indians' hearts.
This is in response to Shri Krishnan’s blog ‘
Good Bye Dr.Kalam ! - An open letter from a grateful Indian’.

Shri Krishnan’s letter is straight from the heart and it no doubt reflects what millions of Indians feel, as I too feel. I must, however, say that on three occasions I was surprised and even anguished by Dr. Kalam’s decisions (one non-decision!)

One, when in a speech to Parliament during its opening session, he charged BJP with being communal. This is not true because if BJP is communal, he would not have become the President. Even BJP’s first choice, Dr. P.C. Alexander, is not a Hindu. I anyway forgive Dr. Kalam because he was only reading what was written out by the Congress cabinet.

Two, when he rather hurriedly signed the order to dissolve the Bihar assembly. He had innocently placed unmerited faith in Congress government's advice.

Three, when he failed to get the chap Afzal Guru hanged for no less a crime than storming the Parliament with guns and bombs. I nevertheless will not be harsh on Dr. Kalam because maybe legally he had no option but to wait for the Congress government to get back to him on the issue, which the government has not done till today.

But compared to the goodness Dr. Kalam exuded all through his tenure, I would consider the above 3 as aberrations that can be overlooked. I've put it down only for the record.

In him I think we are now going to have a President of Indians’ hearts while a pretender might be on the throne.
8:39:15 PM
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Sonia’s President – thank you for rejecting BJP’s anti-conversion bill?


Friday, June 15, 2007
Pratibha Patil, as Governor of Rajasthan, declined to consent to the BJP Government’s anti-conversion bill. Could it be why she surfaced in Sonia’s mind?
12:15:40 AM
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Friday, June 08, 2007

The "Nothing-to-do Man" - a challenge to all activists


Friday, June 8, 2007
The “Nothing-to-do Man” – a challenge to all activists.
I had a few days back posted a blog quoting the “Nothing-to-do Man”’s letter upon retirement. In these days when people feel more restless upon retirement than when they were gainfully employed, he is an odd-man-out. Aren’t we ever trying to do more and more so as to gain more, whether monetary-wise, fame-wise or popularity-wise? But here’s this guy, who is well educated, was in a senior well-paid position in a leading oil-company in the Middle East, well liked by whoever came across him, turning down equally good offers that came to him to continue aboard, moving away from it all for the quietude of a spiritual life, without, of course, absconding from any of his family commitments. How does one live without doing anything?

Since this gentleman is not onto activity of any kind, except talking kindly whenever the philosophy of life is discussed in his presence (and of course, being dutifully of help to his wife in running the household!), we will have to coax him into becoming a blogger. That, I think, would enrich the discourse on this blogsphere.

In an attempt to coax him, I call upon bloggers to write as to whether they feel that in order to be happy, we have to be doing one thing or the other. This, I think, would provide him the ‘ammunition’ to come abroad on this blogsphere and point out the alternative. I assure you, then, we shall hear a voice of a different kind.
4:54:23 PM
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