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Unlocking the 74th year of independence

Opinions

Naimisha

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15 August 2020

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the season of Light, it
was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of
despair.”
Tale of two cities, Charles Dickens.

With an appeal to mask-on and encourage social distancing, Bharat is all set to celebrate the 74th Independence Day on 15th August, 2020. Unlike the last decades, this year is not only different in nature of celebration due to COVID- 19 but also marks some very historic and tragic events that marked the 73rd year of Independence.

The Spring of 31 st October, 2019– The implementation of Abolition of Article 370 and Unification of J&K and Ladakh as Union Territories, brought with it a new ray of hope for Radhika Gill and the ‘Safai Karamcharis’ community. Radhika, a young athlete with many trophies lined on her shelf and many
more dreams in her eyes was forced to sacrifice golden opportunities of her career, many a times. Despite qualifying for exams of Central forces during recruitment, Radhika’s candidature was rejected as she failed to produce a domicile certificate or State subject. Radhika tried to approach the authorities
for PRCs but her requests were rejected on the grounds of provisions such as Article 35A and Section 6 of J&K constitution. But now, the abolition of Article 370 has un-masked her dreams to fly freely.

On a chilled December of 2019 amidst a 6 and half hour debate, with 125 Ayes and 105 Noes- Rajya Sabha passed The Citizenship Amendment Bill. The CAA amends the definition of illegal immigrants for the minority groups of Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians from the neighboring nations
who have been sheltering in Bharat without proper documentations. The hues and cries on the bill were echoing in various parts of Bharat, from Shaheen Bagh to Assam, with different narratives and questions filling the sky. While on one hand, various petitions run across the corridors of the Judiciary,
challenging the Bill, on the other, Dharmvir and Tara Chand- Hindu Migrants from Pakistan who finally secured an identity for themselves stood to mark their solidarity with CAA in the heart of Delhi during a Pro-CAA rally.

It was February 2020, slogans and posters were daunting the lanes of National Capital, Delhi, alongside the state elections to the assembly. I distinctly remember living in an anticipation throughout the time, with Shaheen Bagh protests in background, debates on ‘PMGKY Ayushman Bharat –
Medical Scheme’ to Twitter meme war between BJP, AAP and Congress, the atmosphere was utterly mystifying until 11th of February, when Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal celebrated his wife’s birthday with a second-term sweeping victory.

The summer of May was a silent spectator when China started objecting Bharat’s road construction in the Galwan valley, leading to the 15th of June’s tumultuous fight between Bharat and China, both on the ground and diplomatic arenas.

On 17th of July, standing in the cross-road of COVID-19 to diplomatic animosity with the neighbouring countries, Bharat was unopposed elected to United Nation’s Security Council as a Non-Permanent member for the 8 two-year term. This came as a see-saw balancing the geo-political climate and Bharat’s role in international arena.

Standing with the confidence of Atmanirbharta in the peak of tension at borders, on 29th June, Bharat imposed a ban on 59 Chinese apps. The Government proclaimed that these apps were prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and defence of the country.

As a final year student, living with normalized uncertainty, I relate the most to
the last leg of July and my article – The New Education Policy.

On 29th of July ,replacing the 34-year old Education Policy, Bharat experienced a glittering set of ideas making the New Education Policy.

Bearing in mind, it is equally difficult to break an eye from the devasting moments of Amphan Cyclone, Assam and Bihar floods and the crash of Air India flight at Calicut resulting in the death of 18 civilians and 2 pilots.

The 74th Independence Day is a challenge for futuristic sustainability and institutionalized ground implementation of the heterogeneous decisions, policies and events that made the entire 73rd year of Independence.

As India awaits the dawn of 15th August, with pride in our heart and a gloomy smile for not being able to make to the Parade ground this year, I remember the words of Lech Wałęsa, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President of Poland- “We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is priceless…”

Jai Hind !

Making of the Hindu Rashtra

Opinions

Vignesh

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15 August 2020

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Whenever someone hears the word “Hindu Rashtra” or “Ram Rajya”, there are a lot of images that run in their mind. For nationalists, it symbolizes the ideal Nation State with justice, peace and prosperity. Of course, with proper borders and secured by a strong external and internal defence force. This is very much similar to the rule under Maryada Purushottam Ram. It’s the Indian concept of a model State which is the homeland of the Hindu civilization.

Abolition of Article 370, Ram Mandir and CAA

On August 5th 2019, Article 370 became history. It was supposed to be repealed in the 1950s, before the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly. With this, the separatists lost their voice and started fading away slowly. Shortly thereafter, Ladakh was freed from the clutches of these charlatans who ruled the valley. This created ripples on a global level.

After nearly 500 years of struggle, it was in 2019 that the Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of the Ram Mandir. The title suit was settled with Ram Lalla getting back his birthplace. Land would be allocated elsewhere, for the Babri Masjid (this is NOT similar to the Hagia Sophia’s status change, recently). It was a fight between 2 forces. One, who fought for the Ram Mandir and the other who did not want it to come. Marxist historians and ‘secular’ parties being the latter.

proposed ram mandir — Proposed Ram Mandir

In December 2019, the Citizenship Amendment Bill became an Act as both houses of the Parliament passed it. This was a small harmless amendment which let Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis etc get an Indian citizenship. The main beneficiaries being poor Hindus. This gave the world a signal that Hindu persecution won’t be taken lightly anymore.

These were the signs of the changing times and our growing influence in the world. Though there were noises within and outside our borders, today’s leadership did not budge. This sent a strong message. But, there was one point common to all the above. All of these were done within the framework of our Constitution and the legal system established under it.

Indian Constitution and the Independence Movement

Though the troublemakers of today have become self proclaimed saviours of the Constitution, their interest is restricted to a selective interpretation of 2 words in the Preamble. Both these words were not present in the Constitution adopted by the Constituent Assembly and they were added hurriedly, later. There has been very less emphasis on “Sovereignty”. Nor is there an emphasis on Fundamental Duties especially the one which calls upon every citizen to protect India’s integrity.

Our independence movement was a struggle to make us Sovereign, Democratic and Republic. Leaders like Gandhi, Tilak and Patel etc knew that a revolution in India can’t come without the element of a cultural inspiration involved in it. They wholeheartedly imbibed in it and used it to fight for the cause. This cultural inspiration had a civilizational touch. It was based on the common heritage of a great civilization. This is why Communism cannot succeed in India, at a national level.

Picture of a page in the India Constitution. Image Courtesy: hinduexistence.org

We have the Ashoka Chakra as a State emblem, the Dharma Chakra in our flag and other national symbols. The Indian Constitution also has many such – so called ‘communal’ signs. The troublemakers of different hues know it and they have found safety valves to express their anguish. (Safety valves – use tricolour to protest violently against an Act, attack brahmins, draw bogus Hinduism vs Hindutva tables, accuse BJP/RSS/Modi for communal clashes etc)

This culture of our’s has been facing the onslaught of many inimical forces since centuries. It is because this is the same culture that unites us across various geographical regions. Yet, the political correctness of today thrives on belittling and attacking it. ‘Secularism’ becomes the beating stick for such purposes. It’s this bunch of people who have made that word look funny, today.

National integrity and Hindutva

National integrity is the basis for a strong Nation state. In a diverse and vast nation like India, it’s Hindutva which links everyone as one Nation. Without this, we will fall apart very soon. From the age old bogus Aryan Invasion theory, to the recent campaign of “Tamils are not Hindus”, the aim is one. To break people’s connection with their cultural roots has been the first step before enslaving them.

The caste & communal wars played out by secular parties to prevent Hindu consolidation have nearly met a dead end today. The same politicians who once opposed the Ram Mandir, tooth and nail have started taking credit for that. Politicians who were super secular in the 1980s have reinvented themselves to be Hindu leaders of today. Every Indian has a cultural bondage with Bhagwan Ram and the pride of getting back his birthplace will strike a chord even with those outside India.

Hindu Rashtra

A Hindu Rashtra may not be like how certain people on both sides of the political spectrum show it. For some it’s a nightmare while others show it as an unrealistic theory. This Rashtra does not get formed by suddenly changing a book or a flag or by passing an Act. Today, it’s a work in progress to restore the old glory India rightfully enjoyed, in the world. This process of putting India on its path to glory has made certain people desperate. This is because they thrived on the politics of breaking it.

The Nation where it’s citizens are protected and use their rights and duties for the national well being is the end result. It’s where a just ruler rules fearlessly with the will of the people backing him. A Nation which will welcome and give refuge to persecuted members of our civilization and become the voice of its people globally, will arise.

Our Constitution, National flag and other symbols are those which many patriots have given up their lives for. This is the State which is the last homeland for Hindus. An attack on these symbols is an indirect attack on Hindus. Today, they are doing their part in making India a “Hindu Rashtra” which is the ideal State. It’s under the framework of the same Constitution which Hindus have got back their political power, today. As India will continue to march forward and become the world leader, let’s commemorate every freedom fighter on the 74th Independence day of India.

Privileged and the prey

Opinions

spurty

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15 August 2020

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Privilege.

A fairly innocuous word until the past decade but is all the buzz now. There are other words in the left liberal dictionary like intersection, agency, normative, that I will not bother with for I am short on aspirin.

Acknowledging privilege is the in thing in the left liberal circles. Anybody pretending to be an SJW is first expected to accept that h/she is privileged and if possible atone for it. And, we, the Hindus and nationalists have waited but the apologies never came. Normally, the left liberals are quick in identifying new versions of privilege and come up with innovative ways to prostrate before those they are discriminating against. So, imagine my consternation when they are denying me my rightful apology. This is an attempt to get them to recognize and own up to their privileges.

Privilege is issuing sermons on Hindu festivals asking folks to think of dogs, water, environment, stratosphere, asteroid belt, black hole. Privilege is interference in irrelevant matters. Privilege is lobbying against tradition of menstruating women not seeking Darshan of Ayyappa. Privilege is not speaking against rigid and regressive Islamic practices of triple talaq, genital mutilation. Privilege is feeling reduced to vagina over cinematic depiction of Jauhar but feeling empowered when women are referred to as people with cervixes. Privilege is picking on Raksha Bandhan while ignoring sexual abuses occurring in Madrassas and Churches. Privilege is bullying practicing Hindus knowing they will not retaliate.

Privilege is lame Netflix stand-up comedy on Hindu Gods. Privilege is questioning the existence of Rama in the secure knowledge that it won’t lead to beheading. Privilege is asking a Hindu to distribute Quran as condition for bail. Privilege is writing fluff pieces on Brahminical Rasam while espousing the nutritional value of beef. Privilege is saluting Australian rescuers on rescuing Koala Bears but labelling Gourakshaks as murderous mob. Privilege is trending #NotMyPM hashtag. Privilege is disregarding people’s mandate. Privilege is studying intersectionality, waving Smash Brahmanical Patriarchy placards but shutting one’s eyes to a Dalit’s house being burnt by Muslim rioters. Privilege is writing op-eds on human chain knowing people are baying for your blood over an SM post. ]

Privilege is denying Hindu genocide by Mughal and British rulers. Privilege is giving historical context to their tyranny. Privilege is lamenting this is not the India you knew over nationalist efforts to rebuild the India we once were. Privilege is saying RIP India over Bhoomi Puja for Ram Mandir, the rebirth of Bharat. Privilege is institutionally facilitating Abhrahamic thought and culture overriding the natural aspirations for Rama Rajya. Privilege is when you threaten to fly out of the country if CAA, NRC is implemented. Privilege is not having to empathize with the scores of people discriminated in the name of religion in our neighbouring nations. Privilege is doubting Uri, Balakot Strike, Galwan Valley while cocooned in the cozy warmth of Lyuten’s Delhi. Privilege is to argue for Jihadist’s stone pelting while crying intolerance over a mere heckling. Privilege is getting the SC hear your PILs at midnight. Privilege is manipulating the SC into post-poning the hearing of Ayodhya case. Privilege is reciting Urdu couplets.

Privilege is agonizing over the Sanskrit names Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan. Privilege is writing letters to Gandhi over imaginary destruction of Indian ethos while mocking Veer Savarkar over his letters for clemency. Privilege is disclosing Army operations on live TV. Privilege is discussing Black Lives and racism. Privilege is cheering the cutting of sacred thread. Privilege is unrepentant adherence to Adharma despite of being called out.

Privilege is hypocrisy.

We all are product of our history

Reports

Ranveer Choudhary

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15 August 2020

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History is not the past. It is the present. We carry history with us. We are our history. In other words: You’re a product of your environment. Now that term is usually relegated to people from low-income, crime-infested areas…but why? We all are a product of our environment.Your existence is an amalgamation of every triumph, every hard-won battle, every person who had an idea and massaged it, and had the courage to use it to change the world.

Every person who survived slavery, Mughal and the British, to the Trail of Tears, wars…and passed their dreams on to you—of love, of hate. Yup, you are also the product of the other: Of silence, of apathy, a school built on stolen ground. Of women, a parent, grandparent, ancestor who suppressed dreams and ideas, who died with lost potential and horrific memories of sexual assault, mental illness, who didn’t feel good enough, or pretty enough or ENOUGH. Even your anxiety is part of your history…and yet here you are. Privileged, blessed…to do…what?There are two roads that I see that people usually take: The choice to think that your path is all about you and your success, how high you can climb in your career and your status.

Or, the so-called “save the world”(i.e Vasudev Kutumbakam) approach, where you have a vision for the world and, by God, you will change it because you’re different. The first road requires you to mistake your presence for the event, to be in complete denial; and, the second requires you only to deny the really bad stuff. It requires you to forget ideologies, “but maybe I’ll take the cultural ideologies because it pertains to me.” Forget any evidence in my family of mental illness, of violence. Forget anything in me that will get in the way. Forget my fear, my pain. BOTH dead end. Both result in well-intentioned, very bright, enthusiastic people doing NOTHING.

Dear Sushant; we never deserved you

Niraj Kumar

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14 August 2020

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It has been almost two months since we woke up to the shocking news of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. Within few minutes of the news being broken, images of SSR’s dead body started circulating in the social media. It also came to light that SSR had not left any suicide note behind, which is only expected when a person commits suicide. However, Mumbai Police, which Maharashtra politicians are comparing with Scotland Yard, within minutes concluded that SSR was under severe depression which had led him to commit suicide. In following weeks, several theories for his depression were floated which included SSR being out of job due to nepotism and also being bipolar and schizophrenic. The nation went along the narrative and Mumbai Police was on the verge of closing the case. It was not until the brave journalists of Republic TV delved deeper and spoke to a few persons associated with the case that another angle of the case, of possibility of homicide, emerged. During past two weeks Republic TV has been relentless in its investigation of the case and some startling revelations have been made. Take a look:

• On 9th June Mumbai Police had informed the media that Disha Salian, a former manager of SSR, had committed suicide by jumping from the window of her flat. Police immediately declared this to be a case of suicide without holding any proper inquest. Post-mortem was held more than 72 hours after she fell from the building. And no video recording of her post-mortem was done which is mandatory as per law. The case was closed in less than a week without any formal investigation.

• In SSR’s case also, police, within minutes had concluded that it was a case of suicide despite there being several tell-tale signs, which have now come to light, of this being a case of possible homicide. I am certain the experienced officers of Mumbai police would not have missed those signs.

• As per established procedure the police need to conduct an inquest before coming to any conclusion in case of any unnatural death under section 174 Cr.P.c and an inquest report is prepared. After preparing the inquest report, the police officer may come to one of the two conclusions; either there has been a foul play or there has been none. Only after an inquest is conducted and report prepared, the conclusion so drawn can be made public. In both the cases neither the inquest was held nor any report prepared. How come police in both the cases, without any formal inquest, immediately concluded that these were cases of suicide, is the million-dollar question.

• The ligature mark on SSR’s neck was not consistent with the suicide theory. Forensic experts have gone on record to say that the mark looked closer to what is generally seen in cases of strangulation. A renowned forensic expert who came live on Republic Tv debate said in no uncertain terms that this was a case of homicide. He even went on to challenge the Mumbai Police to make the same marks on a dummy’s neck by hanging it to a fan with the piece of same cloth which, it is claimed, Sushant used to end his life.

• Interestingly there is not a single – photo or video – evidence of SSR’s body hanging from the fan. No person apart from Siddharth Pithani and the cook saw the body hanging. There are three versions of how SSR’s body was brought down. Siddharth Pithani, SSRs flatmate, says he brought it down, while the ambulance driver claims it was he who had brought down the body. Ambulance owner says that body was brought down by the police. In normal circumstances, these inconsistencies in statements should have been enough for re-examination of the case by Mumbai Police.

• One of SSR’s friend has gone on record stating that in the morning of 9th June he had a 22-minute conversation with Sushant during which Sushant had told him that Disha Salian had met the same fate as Jiah Khan. During the conversation, he stated, SSR had also told him that he had discussed the matter with Sandeep Ssingh, a friend of Sushant, and was planning to go public with the details of Disha’s case. This has been corroborated by SSRs family friend Smita who said that SSR was very anxious after Disha’s death and even said, “ye log mujhe nahi Chhodenge’.

• Sandeep Singh is the guy who claimed that he was not in touch with SSR for more than ten months but mysteriously turned up at SSRs residence after his death and took over the charge including taking his body for post-mortem. His statements regarding how he came to know about the incident and reached SSRs residence have been inconsistent. He, on air, said that he was home when he came to know about Sushant’s death. However, Sanjay Niruam has contradicted his statement saying Sandeep was with him when the news came.

• Most of the persons who were associated with SSR have clearly stated that SSR did not have any health issues prior to his association with Rhea Chakraborty. Therefore, it becomes important to investigate as to why was the theory of him being bipolar and Schizophrenic being circulated and why did his psychologist go public with details of his illness breaching the patient doctor confidentiality, if at all he was sick.

• There are more mysteries shrouding death of Disha Salian. Police had claimed that they had taken her body to hospital in an ambulance, a claim which has now been disputed by the witnesses including the security head of the building. Now it has been confirmed that she was taken to hospital by her friends in a red colour car.

• Eyewitnesses have stated that Disha’s body had fallen outside the campus of the building she lived in. How was it possible for a girl to jump more than twenty feet, distance of Disha’s building and outer boundary is said to be more, is a question that doesn’t have any logical answer except that she didn’t jump but was flung from the building.

• It was revealed by ‘Republic’, that Disha’s body at the time of post-mortem did not have a shred of cloth on it. Police on the other hand claimed that her body had clothes on and the same had been photographed by them. If we believe, what police is saying is true, then the question is who and why removed clothes from her body before post-mortem. Post-mortem guidelines clearly state that clothes can be taken off only at the time of post-mortem after observations regarding state of the clothes have been made by the doctor performing the act and recorded in writing. Was it done to destroy forensic evidences?

• It has been widely reported by various media platforms that the CCTV footage of Rajput’s building from the night before he died is not available. Interestingly CCTV footage of the night of occurrence from Disha’s building has also gone missing.

• There are reports that the Sushant changed over 50 SIM cards after Disha’s death. A person who has been using one or two sims for years does not start changing sims every hour until he is in immense duress.

• SSR’s cook who claims to be the first, along with Pithani, to enter the room has said that his body was hanging diagonally, and his legs were protruding from the bed. There have been reports in the media that distance between SSR’s bed and fan was less than SSR’s height. Mumbai police, which was duty bound to recreate the scene of supposed method of death with a dummy, will find difficult to explain as to how did SSR manage to hang himself when his height was more than the distance between the fan and the bed.

• Act of details of Rajput’s medical reports being made public and subsequent floating of theory of his bipolarism and Schizophrenia also look planned to tarnish the image of SSR and make theory of so-called suicide credulous.

In view of the above revelations this was only expected that Mumbai Police thanked Republic Tv for doing Police’s job and started investigating the homicide angles in both the cases. But alas, that was not to be. There is no logical explanation of Mumbai Police recording statements of 56 persons, some of whom were not even remotely associated with SSR, without filing an FIR which is mandatory for starting any investigation. It bewilders me that Mumbai Police has yet not questioned and recorded statements of Siddharth Pitahni and Sandeep Ssingh who appear to be the most important witnesses in the case.

As per set practice, cases are reopened and re-examined, even after judicial closure in some cases, if new evidences emerge, sometimes after years of closure. In the instant case, Republic TV has been bringing startling revelations every day for almost a month. However, Maharashtra Govt. and Mumbai Police have continuously been looking ways to close both the cases as soon as possible. Governments and Police are supposed to be custodian of Law and Order and facilitate delivery of justice to victims of criminal offences. Contrary to their constitutional duties both Maharashtra Govt. and Mumbai Police are trying to subvert justice.

This can’t be without reason which only indicates involvement of someone at the very top in Maharashtra Govt. who is interested in getting both cases closed. Had it not been for Republic Tv’s relentless pursuit for truth, both cases would have been closed by now. We should also salute the courage of septuagenarian father of SSR who filed a case in Bihar for a fair probe in the case which led the matter to go to CBI and the highest court of India. We can only hope that apex court allows CBI to go ahead with its probe and complete its investigation in a time bound manner so as the culprits of SSR and Disha are brought to book and justice given to their families.

PS: I did not watch all SSR’s films, but he left lasting impression in the few I watched. I was most impressed by his portrayal of Dhoni and Vyomkesh Bakshi. Though, more than an actor, he always impressed me with his demeanor in public life. He always came across as an immensely likable person and a wonderful human being who was a star in real life too. He always helped people around him. One of his former choreographers has said that SSR saved him when he was on the verge of ending his life. This tells volumes about character, strength and humility of SSR. He was an engineering student with deep interest in astronomy, astrophysics, and AI. He had even bought a telescope at home to view the moon, stars, and galaxies. SSR often spoke to his fans about his passion for astrophysics. Not many will know that Sushant was preparing for Moon 2024 mission by NASA! His wish list, things to do in life, was about simple pleasures of life and had no connection with Bollywood. Amidst the sea of mediocrity in bollywood, he was an aberration. He was vivacious, full of life and lived in the moment. Had plans for future.

One fine day he is found dead in his home and people star telling you that he committed suicide due to his depression even though no suicide note was found. To support this theory comes a certificate from Dr. Mahesh Bhatt, who met only twice with SSR, that the deceased was bipolar and Schizophrenic. If you do not know, Mr. Bhatt in past had the same things to say about late Parveen Bobby who had ended her life as she could no longer take the humiliation being meted out. Sounds eerily similar! Seems the Bollywood mafia had similar plans for SSR. The stories of him being isolated in the industry had been circulating in social media even before his death. This is a fact that supari journalists like Rajeev Masand had been writing blinds about him. He had even alleged that Sushant had molested a budding actress without providing a shred of evidence. These monsters had pushed SSR into a corner and he was seriously contemplating leaving Bollywood for good and go to Coorg to do organic farming.

However, it is evident, he became privy to what happened to Disha and paid the price for it by his life. If that was not enough, channels like Aaj Tak and India Today are doing exclusive interviews with people who are suspected to be main accused in both the case. Sadly, these channels have taken no such pain to do an interview with the bereaved family. Rajdeep Sardesai even went on to say that people are wrong to put pressure on Mumbai Police as SSR was not that big a star. Means if you are not a big star, people are not even allowed the liberty to fight for justice even if you are killed. What a shame!

I never thought demise of a film star or for that matter any other person unrelated to me would affect me like SSR’s death has. He was isolated in Bollywood during his life. And these monsters are not allowing him justice even after his death. This is a sad commentary on the state of society we are living in. Therefore, I, have to say this……Dear Sushant……We never deserved you. We are sorry. And helpless. We didn’t do justice to you when you lived. We are not doing justice to you when you have left. We should hang our heads in collective shame.

CBIforSSR #JusticeForSushant #opindia #IshkaranSinghBhandari

Secular Islam: A myth

Opinions

deep

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14 August 2020

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Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them.

Open Society and its Enemies – Karl S Popper

The debate regarding lack of reform among followers of Islam results in most observers with Historians’ tendencies try to reason it out in cautious calculated tone that would not arouse wrath of mob.

Some even go as far as to suggest that in its (visible) imperfection lies the perfection of Islamic society and the only way it can be reformed is if they are left alone and allowed to be reformed from within. This thought is akin to a set of birds forced inside a cage to somehow find the strength to break the iron shackles.

This thought is also fundamentally flawed because any hope of improvement in a society presupposes some basic conditions that must be met.

Free Speech, A culture of Debate and Discussion .

The most important strategy of a cult sustenance is its ability to control free information, stifle debate and have a heavy visible penalty for a deviant. On the other hand cornerstone of an open society is Free Speech, most importantly an ability to criticise beliefs held by an individual or a group.

The ability to discuss, debate and sometime thrash beliefs without incurring a risk of life is what separates a democratic society from a tribal one.

Every country where followers of Islam constitute more than 50 percent of population already have some sort of apostasy law that could be as severe as death by stoning or just life time prison. A tiny Island nation called Maldives require by law that all citizens need to follow Islam, freedom from Islam could mean losing citizenship.

The acceptance of tribalistic values as normal part of United Nations has cost the world a great degree of Liberal values. Condoning such tribalistic laws by member states has reduced the effectiveness of global respect for such organisations.

Watch Bill Maher arrange a balanced Debate or farid jakaria feel bad and sugar coating

Unequal Society as a Constitutional Norm

Many Islamic societies decided to incorporate Sharia Law as part of constitution of their respective countries. Unlike most other sects or cults Islam differs in the degree of intermingling between social, faith on god and political Life.

In Islam Faith on God, Social structure and Politics is inseparable , it is part of the holy book, Criminal Code of legal system is built in as verses of god or their explanation by clerics.

This intermingling ensures a non Islamic individual will have no escape from Islamic diktats as it is part of constitution and sooner or later the individual either learns to lie low and accept subjugation, convert and mingle with the rest or fight the apartheid and suffer the consequences including a possible death. This inequality has made Islamic countries one of the biggest killer of diversity and free speech on the planet far ahead of Communism or capitalism.

Why islam lost its way by richard dawkins

Diversity Killing Machine

Monotheism as a concept isn’t new! In a tribal society god acts as a rallying point in festivity, in misery and in war, consolation derived from god is actually a result of camaraderie shown by the cult members.

In fact since the beginning of “god” people are trying to find a common ground to make sure their respective sects/cults grow. Monotheism as an idea attracted many tribal heads to grow their influence beyond blood relations and recruit a faithful army who hold a simple belief that can be manipulated to serve political purpose.

Monotheism proved to be the best weapon in the pursuit of absolute power and helped collect mass of followers who would lay their life for very little without demanding much. While other tribalistic cults tried to discover its importance, Judaism and later christianity got it right and attracted tons of followers.

Islam took this to an even bigger level, It not only reinforced Loosely defined Monotheism of previous sects and took it to a ritualistic peak that allows no escape for a follower. it also ensured that chain of command remains in the hand of few in a primarily paternal society with limited decision making roles for woman with clearly defined boundaries.

though this is not a unique feature of monotheism it is far more prevalent in monotheistic cults than is possible in a polytheistic society. a polytheistic society by nature contradicts supremacy of one god and usually allows a natural environment for coexistence of multiple gods and reduces god based frictions.

For example in a polytheistic society like India you would rarely hear a Ganesha followers fighting a Ram Follower. Both completely different Gods!

People will fight alright and for many reasons but its hard to rally around god for fighting, festivity and misery still unites people under god, but god is not a rallying point for war (in polytheism) cause there are too many of them and people believe or the close ones believe in multiple ones.

Science seeks the truth, and it does not discriminate for better or worse. It finds things out. Science is humble, it knows what it knows and it knows what it doesn’t know. It bases it conclusion on hard evidence, evidence that is constantly updated and upgraded. It doesn’t get offended when new facts come along. It embraces the body of knowledge, it doesn’t hold on to medieval practices because they are traditional – Richard dawkins

Inequality of Sexes

By our time (2020) it is quite clear that women’s place in most religion barring few is at the bottom, they are either an accessory to support the male or their whole purpose is to be a child bearing and rearing machine. Now that was quite an acceptable proposition in Victorian England, a woman at the age of 25 who hasn’t bore a child is termed wasted (of course with marriage, without marriage she is a whore in England, in Islam she is dead!).

Islamists defend right to enforce burkha (veil- a long, loose garment covering the whole body from head to feet, worn in public by women in many Muslim countries to remove identification and not arouse a male with sexual contours of a female body.)

A woman wearing a burkha is equated with expressing her freedom of speech (akin to a parrot sitting in a cage all by itself because it doesn’t like to fly!). Yes!! such parrots exist, believe it!

Woman in Islam is for fun of man, they need to cook food, accept a bit of competition with other wives, bear children, as many as possible before dying (its about productivity, my dear) and in heaven be a source of entertainment for the male who after trying to convert many to righteous path has died and landed in heaven. In heaven they need to be virgin, yes literally!

Though I am not sure if these are new women or the one who were shipped from earth. Are we doing a disservice to the woman who do not have a choice other than become a faceless cog in an Islamist machine by condoning unscientific belief? It affects close to a billion Muslim women.

Where is the reason?

Secular Islam is a myth because in order to reach there one (or the society) need to be able to question the five principles of Islam. Without prejudice or fear, just like scientific principles including the idea of god, any jealous god that does not approve of other god is a threat to the society.

The belief that “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God” is central to Islam. Any comments on either can result in a lynching mob of thousands or a knife wielding terrorist. but why doesn’t anyone else make the comment or those rational sounding muslims like Javed akhtar who got richard dawkins award make a comment because javed akhtar is afraid and is trying to circumvent.
Prayer: five time Namaaz – its a way of making sure everyone follows in line, if you repeat something sufficient number of times it fits in your psyche.
Alms- Another principle that goes against equality, if you have no one below you who would you help? Hence you have to find someone who is economically below you and you don’t have one make sure you get someone!
Fasting – nothing against this, this is and has been the basic principle of being healthy since 300000 years, nothing that is introduced by Islam, it just adds the conventional wisdom
Pilgrimage: Mecca? Again a Muslim cannot question it, one has to agree with the Quranic stories, no question or debate allowed.

Conclusion

Islam is a society that helped humanity build large empires using gullible people but time has come to let these flimsy ideas expire and the science and reason take its place, and if we believe that it is possible from within Islam! That is a delusion. Islamic thought is enforced since childhood, in order to change the psyche , one has to have some external influences.

RIP ‘secular’; welcome ‘plural’

Opinions

prasadraoe

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14 August 2020

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The first among the many in The Constitution (Forty Second Amendment) Act 1976 says:

for the words “SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC” the words “SOVEREIGN
SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC” shall be substituted

The process by which the amendment took place was wholly unconstitutional and illegal but it is too late in the day to go into that. It would be useful for those who were either not born or too young to read how and under what circumstances the amendment bill was passed in the parliament.

Four decades and four years later, after flogging the word Secular to death, it has dawned on some people that the returns on that are tending towards zero. So one of the flagbearers of secularism has come up with a brilliant idea. Let’s call it Plural instead.

So, if she had the power, The Constitution (105^th Amendment) Act 2020, would amend the preamble as-
for the words “SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC” the words “SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST PLURAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC” shall be substituted-,
and bingo, all problems solved!

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/bloody-mary/secular-is-a-phony-word-citizens-must-work-for-a-modern-society-based-on-individual-rights-and-freedom/

The Congress Party uses the interesting tactic of “distancing themselves” from any uncomfortable statements made by one of their ilk. This goes a step beyond the diplomatic statement ‘we neither confirm nor deny’

It is interesting to see the journalists who were a part of the Secular Caravan now distancing themselves from the Congress Party and their brand of pseudo secularism.

These are the same people who, by their proximity to the Congress Party, found their foothold, rose to fame, made their money, enjoyed their perks ranging from 2BHKs to Farmhouses, on board champagne while flying with the PM to being able to interfere in the selection of cabinet portfolios etc. The fact that they are all now jumping the ship is proof enough that the ship is sinking, if not already sunk.

Let’s remind ourselves what these ‘Seculars’ did and said over the last few years to prove their Secularism.

Sagarika Ghose and Barkha Dutt tweeted/replied mocking the Hindu ritual of Karwa Chauth. They do it every year. I am sure it will be very reassuring for the Hindus to know that their mocking is due to ‘Pluralism’ and not Secularism.

A true liberal celebrates when women in Iran defy the norms and do what is prohibited for them like doing away with hijab, driving etc. But we have our very own Barkha who found fault with Chess Grandmaster Soumya Swaminathan who pulled out of a tournament in Iran over the country’s headscarf rule. Instead of applauding her, ‘she should have followed the norms of the land’ was all she had to say. Not applicable to her when she mocks the festival of Raksha Bandhan which she did ten days ago.

This kind of Anti Hindu bias was earlier called Secular. It is now proposed to be called Plural. It only shows the singular lack of understanding of the issue by these seculars.

Give it what name you will. A bias is a bias is a bias.

Emerging axis of turbulence in Middle East economy

Reports

Sanat Bhardwaj

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14 August 2020

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Emerging axis of turbulence in Middle East economy

Covid- 19 is proving to be much bigger and having far more pernicious ramifications than was expected of a mere health scare. The world economy was the first casualty which has largely resulted in the destabilization of the pre Covid-19 world order. China which had until now unchallenged growth and wealth creation ability is a much compromised power in the international community today. US and Europe are absolutely clueless and are surviving on monetary doles in anticipation of much assured impending Covid vaccination. India and other emerging blocks are struggling on the back of seemingly stable domestic demand and near Covid-19 insulated agriculture based rural economy.

But the worst is visible in the oil exporting Middle East economies. Being an oil exporting nation, it had no choice except to bleed. The steep decline in oil price has led to deficit current accounts and declining tax collections. It is estimated that over 80 million in Middle East would sink below poverty line sooner than later. Can the polity be insulated if an economic downturn hit the ordinary masses?

No and never, Examine the emerging axis of turbulence through this optics. Syria, Iran, Yemen were the three flash points before covid-19. But abrupt rejection of Pakistan by Saudi Arabia has added new angles. Pakistan is surviving on international donations and doles from these friendly country. With ever declining economic activity and near collapse of forex reserves, it may soon declare itself a defaulting nation. To distract its citizens, it can augment the export of its home grown terrorists to rest of humanity and particularly to Afghanistan. To compound the woe, the Afghan Taliban truce and US withdrawal from Afghanistan would offer a fertile ground for next round of violence and bloodshed. With no political order left, the two nations will be left to the fate of mercenaries Taliban.

The aggressive Russians in Libya have added a new dimension. With Turkey and Egypt on opposite sides in addition to the war ravaged Syrian mercenaries and the foreign interventions, Libya will become another major battleground. This suicidal relationship is set to become extremely bloody in days to come. Erdogan and Al-Sisi of Turkey and Egypt respectively have a battery of fanatic and fundamentalist militias who would fuel the war for long in this region.

Until disturbed by external forces Lebanon was confined to be a domestic issue till date. But the massive explosions at Beirut port and resultant loss of life and property of ordinary citizens has broken all the order and patience in this turbulent country. With entry of France and Iran added by devilish Hezbollah, it could be the first sovereign nation to have been dissolved in Post Covid-19 world.

There is no economy of surplus now left in post covid-19 world to supplement and rescue these suicidal adventures. The UAE a sober and relatively insulated nation far away from the cross boundary offensive until now has inked a mutual deal with Israel. The importance of this deal rests in the historical belligerence and warlike posture that the Arabs have with Israel. There is going to be new polarization within the Islamic world and anti and pro-Israel group would add to the existing multipolar war ravaged zone.

Covid-19 may be a terrible health issue, but disruption of economic and political order in this region shall have a nightmarish consequences in the days to unfold.

Bollywood: The unofficial oligarchy

adrijakk

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14 August 2020

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From videos dug up by Netizens to sensational revelations by actors and actresses, a lot has been unraveled in the past few weeks. Pictures doing rounds on Social Media have exposed previously unknown links between Bollywood and powerful business tycoons linked to the Underworld. The actions of the Mumbai Police and Maharashtra government have raised questions regarding their connections with Bollywood. However, what has spoken the greatest volumes is the silence of Bollywood. It has shown us that the so-called loving family Bollywood claims to be is in actuality an oligarchy ruled by tyrannical bigots- India’s dirtiest industry is one of the very places in the world where adopting neutrality and turning your back to scathing evidence is what ensures your safety. That is exactly what’s happening now. A man that died for his honesty, integrity, and humanity is being framed as a mentally ill psychopath.

All the actors that played valiant cops in movies are hiding like cowards at home turning their blind eye to the inconsistencies in the staged hanging of Sushant Singh Rajput. To all these actors and more in the industry, why are you not raising your voice for justice? Ayushmann Khuranna, one of my favorite actors prior to the Sushant murder, you played a cop who stood up against the system which always worked in favor of politicians and powerful folks. You very heroically told a doctor to accurately complete the autopsy, without hiding any scathing details – you told her not to be scared of the looming powers who were attempting to cover the case up and now what are you all doing? You are supporting the government, the police, and who knows who else is involved in encouraging doctors to fill up Sushant’s post mortem with false conclusions. Sooryavanshi. The unnecessarily overhyped film that hasn’t been released thanks to the pandemic.

“Sach soorya ki tarah hoti he” and more cheesy dialogues were supposed to be playing in theaters all day and all night apparently but then, India like the rest of the world, was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic. You all actors have the audacity to deliver lines about truth, yet when it comes to speaking for truth, in reality, you become as feeble and soft-spoken as the weak figures assisting the main villains in movies. Obviously you have to speak about the humane, just things in life because movies are watched by the public, and often influence their perspectives and actions. However, why is only the public responsible for taking inspiration from your movies and doing good deeds- are you not responsible? Do your wealth and fame provide you a pass to break laws, bend the system here and there, and stay quiet like cowards? I get confused sometimes- are you all scared of upsetting someone or are you scared that your dirty secrets will get revealed as a result? But then I realize, you do this to remain in the good books of the mafia. You participate in this cheap form of bootlicking in order to fulfill the desires of the oligarchy that has been controlling you.

Knowing that you have entangled yourself in this situation, you choose to ostracize and demean those who’ve had the courage to stand up to the despotic group of bigots. Quite frankly, if you, your followers, and your cowardly allies believe the truth resembles the rays of the sun, then what you’re doing reminds me of a solar eclipse. Since it’ll come back to haunt you anyways, remember the lines of Kriti’s poem. The truth indeed is like the sun – it is always there.

There are so many other movies where stars have adopted a false personality, but I would like to address one last film – Khaki. Khaki does a good job of showing both sides of the police force, especially by displaying Akshay Kumar as a money-hungry womanizer using his authority as a policeman to his advantage. Then none other than one of India’s biggest stars preached sentiments in his baritone voice about the value and responsibility that comes with the “Khaki wardhi” and was quickly able to change Akshay’s character. Unfortunately, in reality, many police personnel in India don’t live up to the Khaki nor do they attempt to make changes to their corrupt policies. Amitabh Bacchan could be using the baritone now, to strengthen the harmony of voices fighting for justice but he chooses not to.

While some Bollywood movies are presenting positive messages, a majority Bollywood and its members clearly aren’t. Regardless of what is being seen in the reel life of actors, for most of them, their real-life is quite the opposite. The majority of Bollywood feebly bows down to the tyrannical bigots, hoping that will help them elevate their career. The selfishness of some individuals along with their cowardice, has provided the oligarchy with the authority it has today – similar to how the public has built the career of famous actors, Bollywood’s members have allowed it to transform into the dirty industry it is today.

The suicide narrative developed by some brought my attention to how much mental health is trivialized in areas of India. In order to combat this taboo, a friend and I created Project Capsize, where we are seeking volunteers to film PSAs in a variety of languages, to make mental health resources accessible to all. Please fill out this form to get involved: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScm6yTVOCrSatrAiZZrLCCw3v90zA3STOSbvs9XwksPSP4GZg/viewform and follow our Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/projectcapsize/

रेप और अश्लील वीडियो

kajal

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14 August 2020

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पता नहीं आखिर कब तक हम अखबारों के पन्नों पर दरिंदगीं की दास्ता पढ़ते रहेंगें। दिल्ली की 13 वर्षीय लड़की के साथ हुयी हैवानीयत ने निर्भया रेप केस की याद को ताजा करने के साथ उसके आरोपियों को सजा मिलने में हुआ विलंब और निर्भया के माता पिता के संघर्ष को भी रेखांकित किया हैं। जब देश के कोने- कोने से व्यापक आवाज़ उठने के बावजूद हमारी न्यायिक व्यवस्था को सजा देने में 8 वर्ष का वक्त लग गया तो इस घटना के बारे में क्या बोला जा सकता हैं।

किसी के मर्जी के खिलाफ उससे जबर्दस्ती शारीरिक संबंध बनाना ही रेप या बलात्कार कहलाता है। लेकिन क्या ये सच में ऐसा गुनाह है जिसे रोक पाना नामुमकिन हैं? तभी तो जैसे -जैसे देश आगे बढ़ रहा है वैसे -वैसे महिलाओं के साथ शोषण और उन पर अत्याचार के खबरें भी बढ़ रहीं हैं। ज्यादातर मामलों में पाया गया हैं की बलात्कारी का अपने उपर नियंत्रण खो जाता हैं जिससे उसे आभास ही नहीं होता है कि वो क्या करने जा रहा हैं। लेकिन ऐसा क्यों होता हैं? दरअसल इनमें से ज्यादा लोगों को अशलील चीज़ें देखने की आदत ही नहीं बल्कि लत भी होती हैं। कुछ महीनें पहले हैदराबाद की महिला पशु डॉक्टर के साथ हुयी दरिंदगीं के आरोपियों के मोबाइल फ़ोन से भी इसकी पुष्टि होती हैं जिसमें अश्लील वीडियो का भरमार मिला था। चिंतनिय बात ये हैं की सरकार इस बात से अवगत हैं की बलात्कार के कारणों में ये भी एक प्रमुख कारण हैं परंतु कहने को तो ये सब इंटरनेट पर प्रतिबंधित है पर इस तक पहुँच इतनी आसान की एक बच्चा भी इसके दुष्प्रभाव से अछुता नहीं रह सकता, इसे किसी भी सोशल मीडिया साइट से प्राप्त किया जा सकता हैं। बॉलीवुड का भी इसमे कम रोल नहीं हैं, फ़िल्मों में लड़कियों को माल, पटाका, फुलझड़ी जैसे नाम से संबोधित करने का चलन यहाँ काफी पुराना हैं। इसमें कोई दो राय नहीं कि दरिन्दों के दिमाग में ये बात डालने कि महिलाएँ मात्र उपभोग की वस्तु हैं,बॉलीवुड की भुमिका भरपूर हैं।

बलात्कार जैसे हैवनीयत कृत्य को रोकने के लियें जरुर हैं हमारी शिक्षा व्यवस्था में धार्मिक ग्रन्थों को अनिवार्य विषय बनाना। लेकिन दुर्भाग्यवश आज मॉरल वेल्यू की किताब ने रामायाण, गीता की जगह ले ली हैं। हालात ऐसे हैं कि यदि कोई गलती से भी ये कह दे कि स्कूली पाठ्यक्रम में इन ग्रन्थों को शामिल किया जाए तो चारों ओर से सब राजनीति चमकाने में लग जायेंगे लेकिन इससे वो दूसरों का ही नहीं बल्कि अपना की बुरा कर रहें है क्योंकि बलात्कार की शिकार हुयी मासूम में कभी उनके प्रिय का भी नाम आ सकता हैं। ऐसे में सरकार के लीए बस ये प्रयाप्त नहीं हैं कि वो कठोर कानून बना कर अपने दायित्वों की पूर्ति कर लें, जरुर है कि वो लोगों के मानसिकता में परिवर्तन लाने के लिए कदम उठाये।