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?

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Hindu society shall rise as one to uplift all socially, economically and educationally backward Hindus without the outdated, divisive caste-based reservation.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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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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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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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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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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