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Why protecting Nupur Sharma is the duty of every Indian who believes in the rule of law and democracy

aparajit
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Why protecting Nupur Sharma is the duty of every Indian who believes in the rule of law and democracy

Nupur Sharma’s remarks about Prophet Mohammed in a TV debate have gone viral on social media and even attracted diplomatic fury of Middle East (ME) countries. In India, exchanging the crass remarks in the overheated TV debates is not unusual. But, the recent phenomenon of issuing death and rape threats to her is a dangerous trend that should worry everyone who believes in the rule of law and the existence of civilized society. Equally and if not more concerning is the summoning of Indian diplomates by a group of ME countries seeking an explanation that tantamount to interference in the internal affairs of the democratic, plural and multi-faith society of India, a like of which never existed in the ME nation-states for several centuries and not even till today.

India has a constitutional framework which empowers institutions to protect the rights of citizens. Freedom of expression with reasonable restrictions is spelt out in the Indian constitution, which gives right to anybody who finds the comments of Ms Sharma insulting, can challenge them in the court to ascertain if she has hurt the sentiment of followers of the Muslim faith.

Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India states that, “all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression”. The philosophy behind this Article lies in the Preamble of the Constitution, where a solemn resolve is made to secure to all its citizen, liberty of thought and expression. The exercise of this right is, however, subject to “reasonable restrictions” for certain purposes being imposed under Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India. Source: LegalServiceIndia.

Centuries of living under monarchies founded on religious precepts, ME countries are naturally blind to the ethos of India, where millenniums old dharmic traditions foster questioning the religious texts, challenging the contradictions, and not accepting a unipolar interpretation of god, god’s word or god’s book. Even Islam thrived under this system but same can not said of patronage to other religions in Islamic ME countries. One can not blame them but one could expect them to be mindful of the Indian culture and traditions.

It is a reasonable guess that the people presently living in the middle east will not live long enough to see a participatory democracy like India taking shape in the region, where people’s ballots choose the representatives who frame the laws that evolve unlike the laws frozen in time. Discussions and debates play a vital role in a democracy like India and the laws define the limits of expression and the courts interpret them. No such system exists in the middle-eastern world.

India and ME countries have centuries-old economic and cultural ties that can only hold together by the imperative that both sides respect each other’s internal matters and not be swayed by the local matters that get blown up at the international level by the power of social media. Despite of having serious concerns on the restricted rights of minorities, beheadings of Indian citizens and mandatory imposition of religious practices like veil on non-muslims, India shows restraint by not interfering in their internal matters.

For example, Hindus and Buddhists can not practice their religions as freely as they can in predominantly Christian countries. Non-Islamic Religious charitable fundraisers are restricted and even attract heavy financial penalties if get caught. Archaic practices like blood money (A practice that legally permits a murderer to skip a death sentence or imprisonment for monetary compensation to the victim’s kins) are prevalent. Recently in Saudi Arabia, an Islamic organization offered to pay the blood money on behalf of a Sikh murder convict under the condition that he converts to Islam. India has over 300 thousand mosques but three million Hindus in the ME have less than five temples and no Hindu temple in Saudi Arabia, which is home to half a million Hindus. Conversion to other faith attracts death penalty which Indians will find unthinkable.

The audacious act of Qatar and other small countries in the region summoning Indian diplomats just before the state visit of the Indian vice president to Qatar is typical of knee-jerk reactions, like boycotting French products in 2020, these nation states undertake, which is unlikely to be seen in the mature democracies like India. India will have to deal with reaction by reminding them about the abhorrent beheadings of Indians, ill-treatment of migrant workers and lack of religious freedoms, which are unacceptable in the modern world before they put India under spotlight for an insult that has no internationally accepted definition. We need to ask – did they consult the religious scholars before reaching the conclusion or it is just a game of coercion? Predominantly Sunni, ME countries even ban the Islamic Shia sects that have thrived in India for centuries. India need not be apologetic about the statement of Nupur Sharma and ‘speedpost’ a befitting reply to the countries that are yet to be adopt the ethos of tolerance and justice as the India and liberal democracies take for granted.

The right to life is the most fundamental human rights that liberal democracies bestow upon the citizens. However, the most liberal democracies have failed to uphold it in the wake of radical threats. The British author Salman Rushdie was forced to withdraw from the public life due to fatwa on his life. An Islamist murdered a French school teacher, Samuel Paty, in Paris for showing an educational graphic in school. A film maker Theo van Gogh lost his life under a knife in Amsterdam for making a movie critical of Islamic practices. A group of people inspired by religious extremism killed Kamlesh Tiwari in India. The list of the names is long and it is punctuated by the failure of liberal democracies to protect its citizens and letting the legal system to decide the punishment.

It will be a colossal failure and shame for the modern nation of India if Nupur Sharma or her family gets harmed in any manner by the same ideological extremists. They are leaving no stone unturned to turn a lonely person to take revenge and be blessed in return. Therefore, the political system and the people of India must protect her even if a political party has disowned her. And it is not for what she has said, it is for what we are.

Nupur Sharma’s case is sad, as the Govt. took different turn

G Indira
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Nupur Sharma’s case is sad, as the Govt. took different turn

Whatever be the different sects among Muslims (Shia, Sunni, Ahamadiya etc.)— on theology (field of study on religion and God) they are all ‘one’. To them their Prophet’s life history is paramount. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, U.A.E, Iran and all the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries-consisting of 57-member states came together against what Nupur Sharma (then spokesperson of the BJP) had to say on their Prophet’s life. Perhaps, she was naïve about the fact that it was a sensitive subject to Muslims all over the world. What Muslims do in their regular daily lives, merits/demerits in behavior could be touched upon, whereas when it comes to the Prophet it is a strict no…no to them.

To say anything against him (even perceptibly) is a blasphemy. Blasphemy laws are strict in all Islamic Republics. Those countries are dictatorial. Way back in 1988, Salman Rushdie’s book: Satanic Versus in which he in a veiled manner (because it is an allegorical novel) seemed to have depicted a character modelled on Prophet Mohammad. That made him face the wrath of Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini. Khomeini delivered a fatwa against Rushdie and a bounty was offered to anyone who would execute him. All over the world, in all Islamic Republics there were strikes against Rushdie’s book: Satanic Versus. Salman Rushdie’s life came under threat. He went into hideouts in Scotland to protect himself. India (though a secular country), under Rajiv Gandhi’s Government, banned Satanic Versus to pacify the protesting Indian Muslims.

That was in 1989. Now, in this 21st century, as late as 2015, a French satirical weekly magazine by name Charlie Hebdo, which always features cartoons; reports; polemics and jokes, published some cartoons on Prophet Mohammad. France is the most secular country in the world. It is a country that stands for free-speech and freedom of expression. Yet, Charlie Hebdo (office) had to face a deadly terror attack on 7th January 2015 for caricaturing on Prophet. Twelve people were killed (that includes the famous cartoonists who portrayed the pictures). Certainly in France, the French law allows them to draw such cartoons. It was not illegal to them. But, the law has no place before sentiments and sensitivities.

Recently, on October 16, 2020, a French teacher who had shown students cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad was beheaded outside his school. French president Emmanuel Macron called it an act of Islamist violence. Coming to India, there is a tacit understanding not to offend the sentiments of any religion. One can say something against the followers of a religion but not on the Prophet. From the ancient times Bharat has a culture not to hurt the other.

India’s political and diplomatic relationships with other countries are as important as the internal matters. Prime Minister Modi carefully nurtured the culture of having good relationship with all countries more so with the West Asian nations that include Gulf countries. He acquired laurels from them for being business-friendly. The UAE honoured prime minister Modi with the ‘Order of Zayed’ i.e. the UAE’s highest civilian award. The Saudi Arabia conferred prime minister Modi that country’s highest civilian honour—the King Abdulaziz Sash.

Because of P.M Modi’s efforts India is secured in oil and gas (energy sector), our foreign remittances from the gulf countries scaled up, trade and partnerships enhanced. These Gulf-countries viz. Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates they stood by us during the abrogation of Art-370, agitation on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and several other occasions, despite Pakistan crying hoarse on all these issues.

When prime minister Modi invested so much in getting these nations close to India, how do you find one statement from the ruling party’s spokesperson ruining all this? After all, the P.M. has been working hard to maintain good relations with those countries to reap benefits for our country. His work on West-Asian front is well-appreciated by all opposition parties in India. They are saying the P.M. has taken the relationship to an unexpectedly high level. In this digital-media age decency in discourse is lost both on T.V. and social media. The Govt’s stern action on its own spokesperson sends a message that it is a no nonsense Govt. As a matter fact, now the BJP-Govt., has sent guidelines to be followed to all its spokespersons. The spokespersons have been warned against criticising any religion, its symbols or religious figures. This is a great act.

In this digital-age, news spreads in a lightening speed. None can deny what they had said they had not said. Anybody could trace anyone’s digital foot-prints. Whatever Nupur Sharma had said in Hindi on that day on T.V., soon went viral with sub-titles in English and other languages. The reactions were galore. To stem the tirade, the Govt took a strict action. It was like stooping to conquer. Though Nupur Sharma is a sacrificial goat, it is for a bigger cause. The efforts of prime minister should not fall like pack of cards with this one incident.

The recent protests by many Muslim groups against Nupur Sharma’s statements on the Prophet (in some parts of the country) turned violent. These agitations seemed to be organized not organic. They would only get bad name to the whole community. These groups that are seeking for the arrest of Nupur Sharma should know that there is no law against blasphemy in India (like in Islamic countries) and India follows only ‘rule of law’.

Uniform Civil Code: the need of the hour

Sameer Jena
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Uniform Civil Code: the need of the hour

At a time when Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and some other BJP-ruled states are mulling over a common civil code and a five-member drafting committee has been formed for implementing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, a leading Muslim organization of the country called for a conference of its scholars from across the country and raised voice against the code. In a protest against the code the Muslim body said that the law will not be accepted to Indian Muslims and they will continue to follow the Sharia. Now the question is what is wrong in one country, one law? Also question arises in many minds that why objection to a common civil code in the country by Muslim organizations and few other groups? What they fear of losing by implantation of a common civil code?

UCC means a law that is secular, which is equal for all citizens of a country irrespective of caste, religion, and ethnicity. Article 44 of the Indian Constitution considers the responsibility of the state to implement UCC. It directs the state to make a “uniform civil code” for all religions at an appropriate time. Largely, the purpose of Article 44 is to get rid of the problems associated with the discrimination against the weaker and vulnerable sections of the society and to increase coordination between different cultural groups in the country.

Article 44 is itself sufficient to accentuate its story and supremacy. Under the article, the open advocacy of the states to make uniform civil laws for all religions at the appropriate time is well known. Whereas it is the duty of the state to enforce a uniform civil code, social issues like marriage, divorce, maintenance, property rights, succession and adoption, etc. come in the concurrent list, so both the central and state governments can make laws on it. However, many experts believe that the Center should bring a law and implement it as soon as possible. On one hand when secularism has been given emphasis in the Preamble of the Constitution (the word “secular” was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution in the 42nd Constitutional Amendment 1976), on the other hand, the mention of a uniform civil code under Article 44 regarded as an important element of secularism.

The most fascinating is while Article 44 asks the states to take steps towards a uniform civil code; Article 37 dispossesses the courts of the authority to apply it. It means if state does not take initiatives for a common civil code in the country, then there is no purpose in approaching the court by the citizens for equal right. However, now and then, the courts have left no stone unturned in advocating for a common civil code. On can find the judgments and observations of the Supreme Court and High Courts have always made headlines in the public realm. Of late, the observation made by the Delhi High Court on the Uniform Civil Code remains a matter of debate. The court, while hearing a plea involving the applicability of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, in respect of parties belonging to the Meena community, backed the need for a Uniform Civil Code in the country and asked the Centre to take the necessary steps in this matter. The court said that the country is rising above caste, religion, and community and in view of these changing paradigms, UCC is the need and need of the hour.

In 1985, the Supreme Court in Mohammed Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum shown its displeasure to state “it is also a matter of regret that Article 44 of our Constitution has remained a dead letter” and reminded the Parliament about the need for framing a common civil code for the country. Similarly Jordan Diengdeh vs S.S. Chopra, Sarla Mudgal vs Association of India and many other such cases had to bear the brunt of the court for not having a common civil code. Citizens may call it misfortune or irony or political unwillingness of the parties or vote bank politics, anything, but this is what the country and the people witnessed in last 75 years.

Not many would know that there is a part in this country where the Uniform Civil Code is already in force. The state of Goa implemented the Uniform Civil Code in 1961 itself. It is worth noting that in many Muslim-majority countries there has been a lot of amendment in personal law with change in time. In these countries, gender inequality practices such as polygamy and triple-talaq have been eliminated. In countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the act of having more than one wife is banned. If personal law can be reformed in these countries, then what are the reasons that the areas of Muslim personal law have been left entirely to their religious authorities in this country.

This reveals why regressive practices such as triple-talaq, polygamy, nikah-halala, female genital mutilation, underage marriage, among others, continue to remain in practice. Daughters get only half the property that sons are entitled to. For the last 75 years, it’s seen the political parties are using these socio-legal issues as a weapon for political gains. Justice delayed is justice denied and there should not be so much delay that it appears injustice. The country needs a Uniform Civil Code, needs to see all citizens through a single lens. Social justice, social security and upliftment, women empowerment, and equality cannot be instituted in the country in the absence of a common civil law.

Even though there is a growing demand to implement the Uniform Civil Code, it has its own challenges also. India is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. The history of the country spans more than 4,500 years. It is a pluralistic, multilingual, and multi-ethnic society. It’s a country where the language, food, dress, living of people change in every hundred miles. The diversity is so extensive that it’s not as simple as it looks to bring all under one civil code. Being a country with agriculture is also a major challenge in this way. In this backdrop, it will be prejudice to disregard the alibi of tribal community of this land in this discussion.

There are about 110 million tribals in the country. Besides Muslim organizations, the tribal community (Scheduled Tribes) has also expressed their resistance to a common civil code in the apex court. An NGO named Rashtriya Adivasi Ekta Parishad, a group that claims to work to protect Adivasi interests, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court saying that if the court gives any direction regarding the Uniform Civil Code, then it will influence their culture, tradition, including their right to practice polygamy and polyandry, prevalent in their society. The organization defends that tribals have their personal laws and because they worship nature, not idols, they do not come under the purview of the Hindu community. Also, unlike the Hindus, they bury the dead body. Not only this, the customs of tribal marriage are also different from Hindus.

In its petition, the organization has stated that if UCC is enforced, the customs of the tribal community, including marriage, worship, funerals, and centuries-old practices will come to an end. It was said in the petition that polygamy is prevalent among the Nagas, Gonds, Baiga, etc. tribes, while polyandry marriages are prevalent among the Toda, Roda, Khasa, Tian, etc. tribes. The process of divorce among tribes is simple. Divorce is possible on various grounds with minimal ceremony. Men in tribal community can marry more than one woman and the restriction under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 does not apply on them. At the same time, it has also been said that the Scheduled Tribes are protected under special provisions in the Constitution.

With so many complications involved, now the question is will the state succeed in bring to life a common code. Is it now the appropriate time for a uniform civil code in the country? The questions look challenging, but can be delivered with proper home work. The government needs to work hard on public information dissemination (sufficient information on UCC should be provided in accessible and culturally appropriate ways) and bring in social programs for creating awareness among citizens about the code and the reforms it would bring.  The main problem is seen that people do not have the right information about the UCC or are being misled by mischievous groups sharing them wrong information. Many groups spread propaganda that UCC is interference in their religious affairs. Also several among those opposing the code propagate that it is like applying Hindu law to all religions, while it has nothing to do with religion.

The truth is UCC will simplify complex laws relating to various issues including marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance and succession, etc. and would apply to all citizens, regardless of religion they profess. If implemented, all existing personal laws will be repealed, which will also deal with the problem of gender discrimination existing in those laws. Apart from these, the code will provide social security to weaker and vulnerable sections, including women and religious minorities, reinforce the principle of secularism, while uniformity will strengthen the nationalist sentiment in the country. With the implementation of the UCC, equality will reach every section of the society and only then the goal of the constitution will be deemed successful.

Yes, the only drawback is the existence of some malign groups and religious organizations will be in jeopardy and that is the reason they create mistrust in communities to not make themselves to become irrelevant. The government will have to first win the trust of people and to start with, it should first put forward a draft to be discussed on streets, in club houses to Parliament.

 - Sameer Jena

Emergency Special: इन्दिरा गांधी को प्रधानमंत्री पद से अपदस्थ कराने वाली दो शख्सियतें जिन्हें इन्दिरा भुला नहीं सकी

Pratayksh Mishra
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Emergency Special: इन्दिरा गांधी को प्रधानमंत्री पद से अपदस्थ कराने वाली दो शख्सियतें जिन्हें इन्दिरा भुला नहीं सकी

आज का दिन भारतीय लोकतंत्र का ‘काला अध्याय’ के रूप में याद किया जाता है। इसकी शुरुआत 12 जून 1975 को हुई जब इलाहाबाद हाईकोर्ट के वकील जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा ने प्रधानमंत्री इन्दिरा गांधी को उनके पद से अपदस्थ कर दिया। ताज्जुब की बात है जहां कभी कमरा नंबर 15 में इंदिरा के पिता पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरू और उनके दादा मोतीलाल नेहरू अपनी वकालत किया करते थे‌ उसी कमरे में जस्टिस जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा की अदालत लगी, यही वो वकील थे जिनकी तुलना वाटरगेट कांड के न्यायाधीश सिरिका से की गई। इसके बाद इन्दिरा गांधी का एक रिश्ता बरेली से हमेशा-हमेशा के लिए जुड़ गया। एक समय ऐसा भी आया जब इन्दिरा के घोर प्रतिद्वंद्वी रहे हनुमान को उन्हीं की पार्टी ने अंगूठा दिखाया। किसे कहा जाता था हनुमान? कौन थे जस्टिस सिन्हा? इन्दिरा का बरेली से क्या था कनेक्शन? क्या थी पूरी कहानी? पढ़िए..

वर्ष था 1975। प्रयागराज जिसे गंगा और यमुना नदियों के संगम के स्थान के रूप में जाना जाता है वो अब प्रतिद्वंद्वी सियासत का सबब बनने जा रहा था।मामला मार्च 1971 में हुए आम चुनावों में कांग्रेस पार्टी को जबरदस्त मिली जीत को लेकर था।भारत की आजादी के बाद से, सत्तारूढ़ भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस रायबरेली से कभी चुनाव नहीं हारी थी। इंदिरा गांधी के पति फिरोज गांधी ने 1951-52 में भारत के पहले चुनाव में वह सीट जीती थी, और उन्होंने पांच साल बाद अपने प्रदर्शन को दोहराया था।अब इंदिरा की बारी थी कि वे इस निर्वाचन क्षेत्र पर एक बार फिर से अपनी दावेदारी पेश करें। वहीं राजनारायण के व्यक्तित्व के बावजूद यह उनके लिए अच्छा मौका था। यदि राजनारायण चुनाव जीतते तो यह सम्भव था कि गांधी परिवार अपने दामन प्रिय निर्वाचन क्षेत्र को हमेशा के लिए खो बैठता। लेकिन चुनाव में राज नारायण हार गए, उन्हें कुल मतों का केवल एक चौथाई हिस्सा हासिल हुआ, इंदिरा गांधी ने उन्हें दो-तिहाई मतों के साथ पछाड़ दिया।राजनीतिक नुकसान से निराश होकर, राज नारायण ने ट्रैक बदल दिया, और लड़ाई को कानूनी क्षेत्र में स्थानांतरित करने का फैसला किया। उन्होंने इलाहाबाद उच्च न्यायालय में एक याचिका दायर की, जिसमें मौजूदा प्रधानमंत्री द्वारा चुनावी गड़बड़ी का आरोप लगाया गया था। बाद में यह मुकदमा ‘इंदिरा गांधी बनाम राजनारायण’ के नाम से चर्चित हुआ।गौरतलब बात है इंदिरा गांधी तब एक किंवदंती से अधिक थीं, उन्होंने कांग्रेस में अपने वरिष्ठों को दिखाया कि वह “गूंगी गुड़िया” नहीं थीं और ना ही उनकी “पेटीकोट सरकार” थी।

जस्टिस जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा की एंट्री

मामला इलाहाबाद हाईकोर्ट में पहुंचा। जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा साल 1970 में इलाहाबाद उच्च न्यायालय के न्यायाधीश नियुक्त हुए थे। राजनारायण की ओर से इस केस की पैरवी करने वाले मशहूर वकील शांति भूषण लिखते हैं, “इंदिरा गांधी को कोर्ट रूम में बुलाने से पहले उन्होंने भरी अदालत में ऐलान किया कि अदालत की परंपरा है कि लोग तभी खड़े हों जब जज अदालत के अंदर घुसे इसलिए जब कोई गवाह अदालत में घुसे तो वहां मौजूद लोगों को खड़ा नहीं होना चाहिए” जब श्रीमती गांधी ने प्रवेश किया, तो उनके अपने वरिष्ठ वकील एस.सी. खरे के अलावा कोई नहीं उठा, जो केवल आधे ही उठे थे। बेशक, न्यायमूर्ति सिन्हा ने श्रीमती गांधी को एक आरामदायक कुर्सी की पेशकश की ताकि वह बैठ सकें और अपना सबूत पेश कर सकें।

जहां बाप-दादा ने की थी वकालत वहीं इन्दिरा को मिली सज़ा

ताज्जुब की बात है जहां कभी कमरा नंबर 15 में इंदिरा के पिता पंडित जवाहर लाल नेहरू और उनके दादा मोतीलाल नेहरू अपनी वकालत किया करते थे‌ उसी कमरे में जस्टिस जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा की अदालत लगी। कांग्रेस प्रतिनिधित्व घबराया हुआ था।पत्रकार कुलदीप नैय्यर ने अपनी किताब इमरजेंसी रीटोल्ड में इसका जिक्र किया कि “कैसे एक कांग्रेसी सांसद को 5 लाख रुपए के साथ इलाहाबाद भेजा गया लेकिन दाल नहीं गली।” प्रधानमंत्री के एक निजी डॉक्टर थे केपी माथुर, जिनके जस्टिस डीएस माथुर से अच्छे संबंध थे। वह सन् 1975 में इलाहाबाद उच्च न्यायालय के मुख्य न्यायाधीश थे। न्यायमूर्ति माथुर उच्च न्यायालय के जस्टिस बनने से पहले भारतीय सिविल सेवा से संबंधित थे। कई आईसीएस न्यायाधीश केवल अन्य आईसीएस न्यायाधीशों के साथ मुलाकात की शर्तों पर थे। जस्टिस माथुर इससे पहले कभी जस्टिस सिन्हा के घर नहीं गए थे। उन्होंने जस्टिस सिन्हा को सुप्रीम कोर्ट का न्यायधीश बनाने का प्रलोभन दिया लेकिन जस्टिस सिन्हा उनके इस प्रलोभन में नहीं आए और इन्दिरा गांधी का चुनाव रद्द कर दिया। जस्टिस सिन्हा सर्वोच्च सत्यनिष्ठा, वस्तुनिष्ठता, योग्यता और न्यायिक शुद्धता वाले न्यायाधीश थे। उन्होंने न केवल भ्रष्ट आचरण के आधार पर श्रीमती गांधी के चुनाव को रद्द कर दिया था, बल्कि उन्हें छह साल के लिए अयोग्य भी घोषित कर दिया था।

इन्दिरा का एक रिश्ता बरेली से भी जुड़ा

12 जून 1975 को जस्टिस सिन्हा के साथ-साथ इन्दिरा गांधी का एक रिश्ता बरेली से भी जुड़ गया।इंदिरा को प्रधानमंत्री पद से बेदखल करने वाले जज बरेली के ही थे। उन दिनों बरेली के सुर्खियों में आने की अहम वजह इलाहाबाद हाईकोर्ट में जस्टिस जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा बनें। बरेली के जाने-माने वरिष्ठ पत्रकार निर्भय सक्सेना लिखते हैं, यही वो जज थे जिन्होंने कांग्रेस सरकार की लाख कोशिशों पर पानी फेर दिया था। राजनीति का चक्र तेजी से बदला और आपातकाल को देश पर थोपा गया। जस्टिस जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा, जिन्होंने दुर्जेय निर्णय दिया इनका रिश्ता झुमका शहर बरेली से ऐतिहासिक तौर पर हमेशा-हमेशा के लिए जुड़ा गया। उन्होंने बरेली कॉलेज में पढ़ाई की थी। कानून में बेहतर स्कूली शिक्षा प्राप्त की। वहीं उन्होंने 1943 से 1955 तक बरेली में कानून की प्रैक्टिस भी की। बरेली के ही कवि कन्हैया लाल बाजपेयी जी की इलाहाबाद हाई कोर्ट के जस्टिस जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा के दिए गए निर्णय के बाद लिखी कविता उन दिनों चाय घाट ‘फाइव स्टार’ पर बहुत सुनी जाती थी। वह थी … ‘बरुआ भैया कुछ तो जुगत बताओ, जा राजनारायण को जल्दी ही जेल भिजवायो’।

जब हनुमान को उन्हीं की पार्टी ने दिखाया अंगूठा

एक जमाने में राज नारायण खुद को हनुमान कहते थे। यह 29 मार्च 1979 का दौर था जब जनता पार्टी के 150 से अधिक सांसदों ने जन्मदिन विरोधी गतिविधियों के लिए पूर्व स्वास्थ्य मंत्री राज नारायण को जन्मदिन समारोह से निष्कासन की चिंता जताते हुए अपने हस्ताक्षर के साथ एक ज्ञापन का आयोजन किया और 2 अप्रैल को बर्थडे पार्टी से राजनारायण को निष्कासित कर दिया गया। यह वही राजनारायण थे जिन्होंने 1977 के चुनाव में तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री इंदिरा गांधी को हराया था। इससे पहले इलाहाबाद हाईकोर्ट ने उनकी याचिका पर रायबरेली से इंदिरा गांधी के चुनाव को अवैध करार दिया था, हालांकि बाद में राजनारायण के समर्थकों ने कहा कि उन्होंने खुद जनता पार्टी छोड़ दी है। जन्मदिन समारोह से राजनारायण के निष्कासन के बाद तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री मोरारजी देसाई पर यह दबाव था कि राजनारायण को वापस ले लिया जाए, लेकिन उन्होंने साफ इन्कार कर दिया। उनकी जगह रवि राय को स्वास्थ्य मंत्री बनाया गया।

राजनारायण में लोकतंत्र की तस्वीर देखते थे लोहिया

राजनारायण समाजवादी प्रमुख राम मनोहर लोहिया के निकट रहे। एक बार परिवार के सदस्यों में खटास आ गई। राजनारायण ने अनोखे तरीके से इसको दूर किया। राजनारायण 1962 के विधानसभा चुनाव में हार गए थे। गौरतलब है कि 1952 से वे पहली बार बैठक से बाहर हुए। यह स्थिति 5 साल तक बनी रही। ऐसे में लोहिया की इच्छा के विपरीत भी उन्होंने 1962 में राज्यसभा का चुनाव लड़ा, और जीत भी गए। लोहिया को यह पसंद नहीं था, उनका मानना था कि राजनारायण ने सिद्धांतों के खिलाफ गए हैं। इसलिए उन्होंने राजनारायण से बात करना बंद कर दिया। अब घर-बार आना भी अब बंद हो चुका था। राजनारायण ने अपनी तरफ से पूरी कोशिश की, लेकिन लोहिया अब पीछे नहीं हटे। लोहिया को मनाने के लिए राजनारायण ने खास तरीका निकाला। अगले कुछ महीनों तक वे राज्यसभा से निकलने के बाद गेट पर धरने पर बैठ जाते थे, जहां से लोहिया जी वापस लौटते थे। जब उन्होंने ऐसा करना जारी रखा, तो लोहिया जी को झुकना पड़ा।

वाटरगेट कांड के न्यायाधीश सिरिका से की गई जस्टिस सिन्हा की तुलना

मशहूर वकील शांति भूषण के पुत्र प्रशांत भूषण की किताब “द केस दैट शुक इंडिया” की भूमिका लिखते हुए न्यायमूर्ति हिदायतुल्ला ने जस्टिस सिन्हा की तुलना वाटरगेट मामले के न्यायाधीश सिरिका से की, जो राष्ट्रपति निक्सन के पतन के लिए जिम्मेदार थे। वहीं शांति भूषण लिखते हैं, श्रीमती गांधी के मामले में जस्टिस सिन्हा का फैसला 12 जून, 1975 को सुनाया गया था। मैं वहां के उच्च न्यायालय में बैक बे रिक्लेमेशन केस के लिए बॉम्बे में था। 11 जून को, जब खबरें आईं कि फैसला 12 जून को सुनाया जाना है, तो मैं बंबई में मोरारजी देसाई से मिलने गया और उन्होंने मुझसे पूछा कि मेरे विचार से श्रीमती गांधी के खिलाफ याचिका में सफलता की क्या संभावना है? मैनें उत्तर दिया कि न्यायाधीश एक बहुत ही सक्षम न्यायाधीश थे और पांच सप्ताह की बहस के दौरान उन्होंने हर पोइंट को अच्छी तरह से समझ लिया था। आमतौर पर मुझे लगता था कि हमारी जीत निश्चित है, लेकिन इतिहास में ऐसा पहली बार हुआ है कि किसी मौजूदा प्रधानमंत्री के भाग्य का फैसला केवल उच्च न्यायालय के न्यायाधीश द्वारा किया जा रहा है और यह कहना मुश्किल था कि न्यायाधीश का साहस किस हद तक था।

कर्तव्यनिष्ठ न्यायधीश थे जस्टिस सिन्हा

जस्टिस सिन्हा के निधन पर शांति भूषण ने लिखा -“जस्टिस सिन्हा एक ज्यादा महत्वाकांक्षी व्यक्ति बिल्कुल नहीं थे और एक कर्तव्यनिष्ठ, सक्षम और बुद्धिमान न्यायाधीश के रूप में माने जाने से संतुष्ट थे जो एक अच्छे इंसान भी थे। जस्टिस सिन्हा का जीवन हम सभी के लिए एक सबक है। महानता धन इकट्ठा करने, या उच्च पदों के लिए ललकारने से प्राप्त नहीं होती है, बल्कि एक व्यक्ति के ईमानदारी और निष्पक्षता के साथ काम करने की लगन से होती है। जस्टिस सिन्हा के निधन से देश ने अपना एक बेहतरीन जज खो दिया है जो अमर हो गया है।”

(लेखक- प्रत्यक्ष मिश्रा स्वतंत्र पत्रकार हैं)

Patchy news about Indian wheat export ban created perplexity

Pradeep Mahaur
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Patchy news about Indian wheat export ban created perplexity

The heights of confusion can be seen when one media statement can create such muddled narratives which have the potential to delude the stakeholders of the most powerful organization of the world. The best example of the same is the headline “India Bans wheat export” . Many newspapers in India published similar headlines followed by the global media. This whole confusion reached to an extent that it gave rise to another headline “G7 criticizes India decision to stop wheat exports: Germany” which came out of a statement from German agriculture minister Cem Ozdemir said at a press conference in Stuttgart “If everyone starts to impose export restrictions or to close markets, that would worsen the crisis, We call on India to assume its responsibility as a G20 member”. 

This confusion further rose to an extent that China utilized the opportunity and supported India’s decision to ban wheat exports in Global Times. Actually China was actually not praising India rather it was using the opportunity to mock on western nations specially G5 nations and their strong relations with India. China always utilizes such opportunities to ease down its frustration of not being tagged as Superpower. I sometimes doubt that this desire of China to become world power might take the whole nation into a big mess.

Now the fact is very different from this, these headlines are not fully correct, India never banned wheat export rather it made some necessary changes in Wheat Export policy. India is supplying regularly to 69 countries in the world. India will continue to supply, and we understand that it’s our moral responsibility during the time of crisis when major wheat producing countries which produce around 30% of the total wheat quantity of the world are involved in war. India announced that it is ready to supply wheat and fulfill global demand but this announcement created a problem in India, Indian private players started storing the wheat so that they can utilize the rising global prices.

This supply chain issue could have also increased the price of wheat in the Global market and in the Indian local market. Actually this supply chain flow hampering triggered the rise of wheat prices in India where the Government had extra reserves with FCI (food Corporation of India). This price rise was contributed by two reasons one was obviously supply chain blockage and other was the psychological factor that due to excessive supply there can arise a possibility of shortage. The Government of India took smart steps to slim down both the issues and banned wheat exports by private players. This was done so that the 1.30 billion population of India can enjoy low price wheat and on the other hand FCI will export wheat to meet the Global demand.

India has set a target of a record 10 million tonnes of wheat export in 2022-23, amid rising global demand for the grain globally due to the crisis in Ukraine. The ministry has already set up a task force on wheat exports with representatives. Not only this, India has committed to supplying 50,000 tonnes of quality wheat grain worth Rs 125 crore to Afghanistan, which will be delivered through Pakistan’s land route. The grain is getting delivered to the UN agency World Food Programme for supply to Afghanistan people. Thanks to our hard working farmers, India has been able to supply the people in Afghanistan with good quality wheat as humanitarian assistance.

This whole communication was misunderstood as a complete export ban on wheat from India and created such confusions that might take some time to be understood by everyone. 

The Nupur Sharma issue: ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ through Information Technology

Dr Jadabeswar Bhattacharjee
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The Nupur Sharma issue: ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ through Information Technology

Wafa Sultan, the American-Syrian activist, said that no one can be a true Muslim and a true American simultaneously. This applies 100 percent to Indian Muslims also. Dr Ambedkar had said that allegiance of Muslims rested with Islamic Ummah and not with the country they lived in. Proving both Wafa Sultan and Dr Ambedkar correct once again, Indian Muslims, under the leadership of Muhammed Zubair (co-founder of an Islamist news portal called ‘Alt News’) has ignited Jihadi passion among Muslim world by peddling a statement of Nupur Sharma made in a TV debate on 26 May 2022.

What Nupur Sharma said in that debate was fact and from Islamic source. Zubair’s hero Zakir Naik had told that thing about prophet Muhammad in public forum long back. Nupur Sharma retorted back with that comment on Muhammad as a reaction when a Mullah in the debate abused Hindu ‘Lord Shiva’. But Zubair cunning dropped the Mullah’s remark and uploaded only Nupur’s statement in the Twitter, which is a Jihadi platform in India. Indian Muslims and Muslim-world started crying together for alleged blasphemy of prophet Muhammad by Nupur Sharma.

The issue of historical Muhammad, as prophet and originator of the monotheist religion of Islam, is a highly contested topic today. Barring the faith aside, we do have reference of Muhammad in some early seventh century stone inscription as a warlord of Arabs. But the name ‘Muhammad’ literally means ‘the praiseworthy one’. So, finding of name ‘Muhammad’ does not confirm the existence of prophet Muhammad of Islam. We also find coin with inscription in Arabic “In the name Allah” minted in 693 AD during the time of Umayyad king Abd al-Malik. But again, it is not clear which ‘Allah’ Abd al-Malik was referring to, as Allah was also a pre-Islamic Arab name for God?

The Standard Islamic Narrative (SIN) from which we know for the first time about prophet Muhammad and his Islam was collated, compiled and written from hearsay, folklore and unknown sources between eighth and tenth century. Biography of Muhammad (Sirat), Sayings and Doings of Muhammad (Sahih Hadith), Quran (Hafs version) and History of Early Islam (by Al Tabari) came in to existence during that period, that is, after 200 to 350 years of Muhammad’s claimed death. Abbasid dynasty was ruling Arab empire from Baghdad in that period and the kings of Abbasid dynasty were instrumental in creating and promoting the prophet and his Islam.

A few points need clarification here that there is no proof to say that Arabs under Umayyad dynasty, which came before Abbasid dynasty, practiced Islam. The much publicized and holy narrative of four Rightly Guided Caliphs before Umayyad has no historical basis and the city of Mecca was non-existence during the claimed life time of Muhammmad.

From early seventh century, Arabs started building an ever-expanding empire at the cost of Byzantine and Persian empires. Both Byzantine and Persian empires had long history of sophisticated civilizations and social system. But Arabs of the desert had none. They were cruel, violent, unruly and envious of each other. So, to serve the interests of social, political and imperialistic needs, Arabs had to develop a cult that could serve the purposes best and also could give them some pedigree. Folklore of warlord Muhammad came handy before them and rest is well known. But intolerance, regimentation, cruelty and violence remain the integral parts of the cult.

The bottom line is clear that, Muhammed Zubair and Indian Muslims and Muslim-world are integral parts of that cult even today. If Muslims are so touchy about their prophet, then they should not come to TV debate and abuse the God of Hindus and expect that Hindus should not pay them back with their own coins. Henceforth, they should stay in home or in the mosque and should not come in TV debate. What Muhammed Zubair did was a step towards Ghazwa-e-Hind through Information Technology. But Zubair Mia, be ready; there will be tens of millions of Nupur Sharma in India to payback you Jihadis appropriately.

Sycophantic Syndrome among Humans

subbiahsridhar
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Sycophantic Syndrome among Humans

The syndrome of sycophantism or to say habit or rather disease of Chamchaagari, the art of buttering the one who has power and influence by those who themselves are seemingly incapable of doing anything except being a Sycophant seems prevalent only among the Human beings. In the process of being a Sycophant, such people just surrender themselves wholly and agree to whatever their seemingly human God say or do, without a word of incongruity. If the Boss says, ‘Hey, see a white crow is flying’, a Sycophant will say, ‘Yes, Sir, I see two white crows flying’, or if the human God says ‘hey, today an elephant was sitting on our cloth string’, a Sycophant will immediately reply, ‘Yes, Boss, I also saw an elephant walking on the string in my house balcony today’. 

This dreaded disease of kowtowing is not found among any other animals. Let us talk of ghee or butter, it is only the human beings, majority of whom seem to enjoy its taste and hardly any other animals seem to love eating them or even any of the products made out of such ingredient. In fact, there is a popular term that ‘dogs cannot digest ghee’ and that might be the reason for the dogs being loyal to human beings. It can well be doubted that might also be the reason why there is this buttering or flattering phenomena or the aspect of ‘chamchaagiri’ prevalent only among many of us the humans or even why the term ‘butter’ing itself evolved.  Be it whatever field, one can easily find lots of such Brownnosers scattered around. 

For that matter, one might have seen pack of dogs, gang of buffalo, caravan of camels, herd of cattle, drove of donkeys, pandemonium of parrots or murder of crows, team of horses – and the list goes on, among them this phenomenon of obsequious behavior towards one another is nowhere to be found as is predominant among us the Humans. In fact, such kneeling people surrounding one are even liked by many and the more the number of kneeling members, the more is the feeling of being powerful felt by their respective bosses. But Sycophantic behavior if restricted for one’s own benefit is still understandable but when it comes to such habit going up to spoiling other’s life and careers, then apparently it can be said that this serious disease is tightening its roots in our Society and is very dangerous to say the least. One might out of one’s stubborn habit or inborn sycophantic behaving quality may rely on such habit but one should ponder over deeply before creating harm to other humans in the process of satiating their own backslapping habit. 

It is said the Human life is the highest form of life given to one and which can open the gates to Heaven or get oneself Moksha or freedom from getting rebirth, but all of which solely depends on the good behavior by Humans and definitely reserved only for those who primarily disengage themselves from such sycophantic behavior and resultantly causing harm to others most of the time intentionally. For such people the doors of hell are always open. Sycophants do not have any sort of respect for themselves, their main purpose is do the job of boot-licking meticulously and ripe the benefit.  Of course, this art of apple-polishing cannot be performed by everyone, as a person with self-dignity and respect will never indulge in such stooping activities.

This system of kowtowing is prevalent only among humans just because of such sycophant’s craze for achieving more and more without much efforts or intelligence or application of mind, except knowing the art of doing the same, which not everyone is capable of.  Animals do not have any craze for begetting more and more and hence this huddled behavior is not profound among them.  So, it would not be wrong to conclude that the root cause of anyone indulging in this round-shouldered behavior is just because one is either not capable of doing or achieving something on his own or has no conscience at all or is afraid of meeting the challenges of life and finds it easy to achieve anything by doing the work of apple-polishing and thus surrendering oneself.  

There is also another advantage found by those boot-lickers in indulging in such behavior and that is, the one who meticulously indulges in such behavior considers himself the boss whose buttering he is indulged in when the latter is away and the former himself  occupies or takes over the power and position and boasts among his own fellows.  Such sycophants get more privileges in the name of his Boss or whom he considers no less than a human God. A person of self-respect and intelligence who has faith in himself will never ever indulge in such curtsy activities. 

All said and done, this dreaded culture has found so deep roots in our Society that it is not easy to get rid of this Sycophant disease. To save the society of such syndrome is herculean task and only when one’s conscience gets cleared and when one does not allow any other influence to overpower his self-respect can one see a change in society bereft of such Sycophants or boot-lickers. 

One should attempt to live one’s life with due respect and not run after petty material benefits or short-term benefits by stepping on other’s head or shoulder and try to understand that Human life is God-given and is the highest form of life with accompanying intelligence which has resulted in us Humans progressing so well compared to other animals. One should definitely try to reap the benefit out of getting this Human-birth and not run after materialistic gain which is all temporary, which comes and goes, but rather one should attempt to get escape from being reborn as some other creature in the next birth, thus also simultaneously ensuring entry to heaven which is all possible only by doing good work. 

It is stressed again that everyone should desist from creating harm to any kind of life forms by avoiding usage of one’s selfish Sycophantic behavior. 

“Pink vs Blue”: Sexism in Colors

Shankeresh
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“Pink vs Blue”: Sexism in Colors

In a bustling garment shop, a group of girls and boys gathered to purchase underwear. The boys, adhering to a societal notion, rejected pink underpants, deeming it a feminine color. Meanwhile, the girls favored pink bras and panties. Curiously, I bought a pink t-shirt for my nine-year-old son, only to have him refuse to wear it, believing it to be a color exclusively meant for girls.

This pattern of pink versus blue seems to persist almost everywhere. Who, how, and when was it marketed that pink is for girls and blue is for boys? This concept appears absurd upon reflection.

Researching the matter, I discovered something surprising. In early ages, pink was considered a masculine color, while blue was regarded as delicate and pretty. So, how did this perception shift? Who decided that colors could be divided to denote a person’s gender? It sounds nonsensical, and rightly so.

The color blue has been described as representing open spaces, freedom, intuition, imagination, inspiration, and sensitivity. On the other hand, pink has been associated with charm, politeness, sensitivity, and romance. But who determined this, and what was the reasoning behind it? Nobody knows! Even if we consider the abstract qualities associated with these colors, doesn’t blue seem more suitable to indicate femininity?

The term “pink” was first used in the 17th century, and at that time, it was not a preferred color in fashion. Interestingly, blue had long been associated with femininity due to the supposed color of the Virgin Mary’s attire. Conversely, the goddess Ma Laxmi is described as having dark (blue), pink, yellow, and white colors. I don’t intend to argue based on religious beliefs, but there seems to be no logical basis for the division of colors.

We also commonly refer to termination as a “pink slip” and a distressing situation as feeling “blue.” These associations have been effectively marketed by businesses and have seeped into our collective consciousness, firmly establishing the perception that pink is a feminine color and blue is for men. Yet, there is no substantial logic or foundation to support this.

I understand that this division already exists and it is challenging to eradicate from the minds of the current generation. However, I simply advocate for the cessation of color division. All colors are beautiful, as long as you appreciate them. Pink holds no inherent femininity, and blue has no exclusive connection to men. Colors are just colors—neither more nor less

The blind spot of Hindus now– Guruparampara and jailed Gurus

nbrawal12
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The blind spot of Hindus now– Guruparampara and jailed Gurus

The present day problem in India is not between Hindus vs rest or anti – Hindu forces. It is difference between Neo-hindus or superficial Hindus vs practising Hindus. Nearly 1000 years of infiltration of crude and violent and cunning civilizations have slowly taken Hindus away from its deep traditions. Systemically they have alienated Hindus from its two principal source- Gurus and Gurukul system. In India and south east Asia, they copycat Gurukul to Madras and it has flourished thousand-fold. In India there are very few Gurukuls are actually running now. When the Britishers came, Indian education was gurukul based primarily.That is out traditions survived thousand years.  Western indoctrination, Bollywood Brainwashing has created the hybrid Hindus who see their own deep-rooted rituals with doubt and low esteem.

I have been following Indian and Hindu news very closely from many years, I can say that Hindus have been falling and losing the ground the day Late Jagadguru Shankaracharya was arrested and no major Hindu organisation supported him. Many so called Hindu leaders just watched the news and enjoyed it. They fail to observe collective responsibility as Hindus which is our principle in our Dharma – to support our Gurus who are custodians of Shastra and truth. In recent times this has started by the arrest of revered Sri Jayendra Saraswoti. In yester years, those esteemed post of Jagadguru were out of purview of public law. 

The breaking India forces, communist – Christian – Jihadi nexus were highly encouraged after this. They went after Asharam Bapuji next. Hindus watched the show – glued in TV believing the media – which is one of the main problem in Modern India. The most corrupted media in the world – can be safely crowned to Indian media unfortunately. People enjoyed the news, very very few religious and spiritual leaders supported him.

Paramahansa Nithyanada came  open to  support him in national TV and giving press release and meets. Unfortunately, anti– Hindu government headed by Sonia and media conspirators threw opium of sex crime and made the general Hindu public sentiment against Asharam Bapuji. This has been the watershed moment of Indian Spiritual  political scenario. Hindus started hating their gurus and were thus more alienated from Hinduism. Many movies were made, and anti -Hindu conversion were made rampant during this time. And then they went to Sant Rampal and Gurmeet Ram Rahim– with same charge – rape charge of yester years, with heavy media insult and, Government forced to take actions – and subsequent jail terms. Same tactics was used in very rapidly growing young guru – Sri Paramahansa Nithyananda in 2010. General Hindu people watched this news as if they were watching movie and news. Even great Hindu leaders and Gurus did the same – watched the destruction of great Hindu – guru -ecoysytem with popcorn in their hand in front of TV set. They didn’t realise that they are in same ship which the anti -hindu forces were making holes in it , and they are just oblivious of it. They never even doubted this news of Media who is their greatest Enemy which is still in grip of Urban naxals, anti- Hindu forces who are easily brought by anti – Hindu forces.

People were so much fooled- they use the same technique. It was toolkit. First bring media news of rape charge from past years which can’t be refuted or proven wither way. But blare news from Media day and night and have one way debate. Create public anger and disgust. Run media trial. Play victimhood. Hindu start bashing their Guru and Guruparampara. Now stage is ready, take action. Everyone will clap. Good action by Government. This toolkit was successfully used on many Hindu  gurus in India. But actual culprits of this sex heinous crime in other so called religions has never been even investigated much, far way from prosecuting them. Because remember, its only awakened Hindu Brahmachari do this– right as per toolkit and media! Lack of knowledge of this toolkit by general Hindu– is the greatest tragedy of the modern India. Even great Hindu politicians and religious leaders have fallen victim of this toolkit still now. Are you one the victim of this toolkit? Chances are you are.

The BJP workers, the general Hindu leaders and spiritual teachers of Hinduism are suddenly pained and troubled by recent decision and actions of BJP government in Gyanwapi case and Nupur Sharma issue. But one way I look the whole thing is, it is a collective Karama of our inaction and indifference– to the untruthful and adharmic prosecutuin of our revered Gurus.  Its one thing to book and jail the criminals, but it is completely against all ethics and Dharma – to put great revered Hindu leaders in Jail by false and fabricated case. I am not sad to see that current sold media has no respect to Hindu Gurus. I am sad to see that even Hindu– awakened Journalist and youtube personality like Sanjay Dixit, Sandeep Deo, Satya Sanatan, Neeraj Atri, Sham Sharma, Ajit Bharti, Manish Thakur, Opindia etc either don’t know this fact like other Hindus or even ignore when other side try to get help, they don’t even listen like how Jihadi or anti–Hindu don’t listen their side of argument. Hindus have always taken side  not only of tolerance, but also of dharma and truth. That’s what is Hindu Dharma is all about. Final truth of the whole apparent existence. Neo-Hindus not only have  given up rituals and deep rooted traditions, they have slowly been rejecting Guru Paramapara which is backbone of our culture.

By all their facets and behaviour, BJP’S most leaders have nothing to do with Guru Parampara, Gurukul and ancient traditions, dieties and rituals. They just want Hindu name and Yoga and meditation , and food and festivals – that’s what they want to identify it. It is okay , but we need to have basic knowledge of our authentic traditions and ancestors and civilization which has given so much to the World. If you can’t do all Hindu authentic rituals and traditions, its completely okay, but we have to have a system where we revere Guru and ecosystem who are preserving and honouring them. But in last few years, we are showcasing charismatic and English speaking  teachers like Sadguru and Sri Sri Ravishankar as our Gurus to the world. I don’t have disrespect for them, they may have their place for certain people, but that doesn’t mean we have to put more authentic Hindu Gurus who are rooted in the Hindu lineage and Guru parampara in Jail and make then run from Country. It will be shock to grieving Hindus to read this, but Hindus are reaping the karma, or fruit of not supported their Gurus when they needed it.

This is one of the prime causes of present day Hindu’s fate. Lack of collective consciousness and lack of Unity are one and same.  Why should I involve when certain Guru is attacked, why should I involve, when Hindus in Bengal region are killed? We not speaking for our collective Hindu faith and traditions is our greatest failure as Hindus. I saw this one blind spot in Indian leaders. Hindus are travelling in a big ship , where the anti – Hindu forces are digging one after another hole, and remaining Hindus are still  thinking why should they bother. This is a tragic story of India and Hinduism now. In a way, I can say that revered Yati Narshimand Saraswoti has been warning things from last many years in similar way. Other than very few guru who are languishing in Jail or driven outside, He is the only Hindu Guru on which Hindu leadership can completely trust. I wish personality like him should be declared supreme leader of Hinduism. His clarity on saving Hinduism, understanding anti – Hindu forces is crystal clear.

I have also found many new Hindu leaders like Sanjay Dixit and Shankar Sharan ji, Neeraj Atri  are educationg and leading the Hindu mass which is laudable. India needs enlightened Guru to guide this mass of one Billion people, of many sects and traditions. India needs to know, if they believe in the words of Geeta and many scriptures, the Enlightened Guru or Avatar guides this Sanatana land in time of despair and mass suffering, ignorance and Adharma. You can easily see, the 2010 – 2040 is very crucial phase for India, Hindusim and the world. We just witnessed crippling pandemic of two years. War is ravaging  Europe. Very soon it is likely, war will spill in Asia and world. And here in India, where Hindus are waking up from slumber, the greatest threat to its very existence like in Shivaji Maharaj’s time has come in front of our eyes. In this crucial tumultuous time, in this once a Millinium scenario, we can  expect that Enlightened Guru or Avatar has to guide us.

If you have really practiced, read our scriptures and traditions, you know that concept is the very foundation of our Hinduism. Its very logical that in such of crisis time, we need to have Avatar to guide us. We are all praying to save truth and our traditions. How come our Gods like Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, or great Devi’s not come to help us in this time of need. You might have this question. The good news is that they are here. Sad news is that you are instead worshiping – Modi, Salman, Akshay, Taimur, and have very low opinion on the real Gurus. Great avatars do not always come with declarations from Sky.

Even in Lord Krishna’s time, more than 90 percent people were not aware of his Avatarhood. People only started knowing about his Avatarhood much later stages of their life. Avatar don’t do magic all the time. For every time and climate, they have their own agenda, choices and mannerism of how they will come, react and mix with people. For neo -Hindus who has made a distance from real Hindusim, they have allergy to the very work called Guru- thanks to Media and Bollywood. I see discussion on topics on Kalki Avatar. I want Hindus and Indian mass to know that such Avatars are already among us. Not just one, but few. But where is the space and respect for them.

At least in time of Krishna many people were already respecting him miracle boy, man with special powers or something deeper etc etc. Now even if one declare such, we have gone to the stage of the Jews who will prosecute even if someone is claimed such. When has this dejection of Gurus come to Hindus? Avatarhood and Guruhood is the backbone of Gurus. Without it, it is just a religion of books. Our tradition is always a living traditions where continuously Gurus walked the land and sanctify the time and place and guide the mass as per the need of time.

We can just remember few of them– Adi Shankarachara, Maharshi Raman and Mahesh Yogi, Sri Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Rama Krishna etc etc in recent times. If there is no Avatar among us in this dire need of Hinduism, then we  can question the authenticity of whole Hinduism and its scriptures and truth it proclaims. It is very possible, because of our increasing populations, we have more than one incarnation among us. If India has to be saved and guided properly without wasting much time, and causing suffering to its people, there is no choice but to seek the guidance of these enlightened Master. I am sure by now, we will all believe that Avatar’s knowledge , insight and clarity is not less than God. Avatar is the statement of God in Hinduism.

God is state of Avatar. Avatar’s brain or wisdom, power and clarity – is more than billion times multiplied by summation of all brains of all so called wise people in any land at anytime and space. Avatar is very fabric of cosmos, Avatar brain hold the the mystery of the Universe. He is the very foundation of creation and sustenance. He is the very engineer of all delusions or maya around us – the multilayered complex which we call our life of myriad complexities and struggle around it. Avatar’s logic penetrates all strata of Universe and knowledge and information that has ever happened in this Universe. An avatar plays with time- past present and future like you and I play with clay and toys. For this reason, he is compelled to hide himself from public. He creates a cloud of blur around him, often creates a negative story about himself so that general people who like gossip cannot even come near him. Fools deride me– Lord Krishna says in Gita. But, in this need of hour, it is duty of Hindu leaders to seek him and take counsel from him.

A leader without Guru -counsel – is example of India now. Fatal and suicidal mistakes in policy and practices. It doesn’t matter you may be honest person, trying to be good person, but if you don’t have support of awakened Gurus, then likely you will be guided by deluded people, sleeping mass, or confused people, weak people, cunning people and cowards. There are only these two options. Awakened vs deluded one to guide us.

You may be hard working, even good person, but when we are dealing with great country with great civilization and complexities like India, you need awakened wise counsellor and Guidance. In ancient Hindu kingdoms, they had Guru to guide them. But, now we not just see the need to have one, but we openly make distance with  them, disrespect them, prosecute them with false cases, put them into jail or make situation where they have to flee country. If such is the state our our land, then how can we expect Dharmic decisions and actions. It is time we Hindus take a collective responsibly of each other, and most importantly respect, preserve and revere – Shastras, enlightened Gurus, Guru parampara, Gurukul system and  temples. We need to simultaneously work on these fonts to bring back Hinduism to its full glory again.

 And there is no need to despair, when we already have Avatar now amongst us. Past history of a Hindu has always has been consistently same.  This is the story of a Hindu – the word as per Hindu scripture means awakened one, who has won over ignorance,  fear and delusions.  It is not the word given to us from outside. Let us assume a Hindu boy is born in ancient India. Things happen in his life, he starts seeking, and ultimately reach to that stage – where he now needs to really have a breakthrough, he is not content anymore with his knowledge, or bookish information, he is  still deluded and suffering, in fact more. He now goes onto his ultimate spiritual quest- finding an Enlighted Guru who has key to his liberation.

His whole story starts from that walk and the search for his Master. His fifty percent story is that only– his quest for that Guru who can hold his hand and guide him to the ultimate. And once he finds that Guru– that is the climax. Rest is story of finishing the house of enlightment. This is the story of ancient Bharat. This should be the path Bharat should adopt now, at least by its minimum critical number of its leaders and people.  

जाति-धर्म के नाम पर बढ़ता उन्माद देश व समाज के लिए घातक

दीपक कुमार त्यागी / हस्तक्षेप
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जाति-धर्म के नाम पर बढ़ता उन्माद देश व समाज के लिए घातक

आजकल देश में हिन्दू मुस्लिम सिख ईसाई सभी के त्यौहारों का सीजन चल रहा है, कायदे में तो अधिकांश लोगों को कम से कम इस दौर में पूजापाठ इबादत में व्यस्त होना चाहिए था, लोगों के लिए गलत कार्य करने पूर्ण रूप से वर्जित होने चाहिए थे। लेकिन इस वक्त देश की राजधानी दिल्ली से लेकर के देश के अलग-अलग शहरों में रामनवमी व हनुमान जन्मोत्सव के धार्मिक जुलूसों पर पथराव के चलते जबरदस्त ढंग से हंगामा बरपा हुआ है, देश में धर्म पर आधारित राजनीति चंद दिनों में ही अपने अधर्म के चरम पर पहुंच गयी है। हालांकि इन हंगामा बरपाने वाले देशद्रोही लोगों के खिलाफ सख्त कार्यवाही भी शासन-प्रशासन के द्वारा लगातार चल रही है, कहीं पर दंगा फसाद में शामिल लोगों के घरों पर सिस्टम बुलडोजर चलवा रहा है, कहीं इन देशद्रोही लोगों पर एनएसए तक लगाई जा रही है।

वैसे देखा जाये तो दिलोदिमाग को बुरी तरह से झकझोर देने वाली दंगा फसाद की स्थिति देश में ना जाने क्यों अब आयेदिन बनने लग गयी है, यह स्थिति देश के नियम कायदे, कानून व तरक्की पसंद देशभक्त देशवासियों को बहुत ज्यादा चिंतित करने का कार्य कर रही है। क्योंकि यह देशभक्त लोग तो दिन-रात मेहनत करके देश के विकास को एक नयी तेज रफ्तार देने का कार्य करते हैं, वहीं देश के अंदर छिपे हुए बैठे चंद देशद्रोही अराजक तत्व कभी जाति, कभी धर्म, कभी अमीर, कभी गरीब, कभी शहर, कभी गांव, कभी मोहल्ले, कभी भाषा, कभी वेशभूषा, कभी पहाड़, कभी मैदान, कभी प्रदेश आदि के नाम पर लोगों की बीच मतभेद पैदा करके उनको आपस में लड़वा कर उन्माद फ़ैलाने का कार्य करते हैं।

लेकिन सबसे बड़े अफसोस की बात तब होती है जब देश व समाज के हित में आयेदिन मंचों से सार्वजनिक रूप से बड़ी-बड़ी बातें करने वाले पक्ष विपक्ष के चंद राजनेता भी अपने एक क्षणिक राजनीतिक स्वार्थ के लिए इन देशद्रोही अराजक तत्वों को पूरा संरक्षण देने का कार्य करते हैं। आज के समय में सभ्य समाज के लोगों के सामने विचारणीय प्रश्न यह है कि देश में जिस तरह से दिन-प्रतिदिन तेजी के साथ ऐसे हालात बनते जा रहे हैं कि बिना सिर पैर की बातों को लेकर भी एक ही पल में दंगा फसाद शुरू हो जाता है, वह स्थिति देश व समाज हित के लिए बिल्कुल भी ठीक नहीं है और उस पर तत्काल लगाम लगाने की आवश्यकता है।

आज समय की मांग है कि देश के विकास की तेज गति को अनवरत बरकरार रखने के लिए देशहित में तत्काल जाति-धर्म के नाम पर होने वाले आयेदिनों के हंगामे, दंगा-फसाद, उन्माद, तुष्टिकरण व धार्मिक कट्टरवाद पर शासन व प्रशासन का सख्ती से नियंत्रण करना बेहद आवश्यक है‌।

हाल के कुछ दिनों में घटित या फिर पूर्व में घटित घटनाओं के समय उत्पन्न हालात का निष्पक्ष रूप से आंकलन करें, तो देश में अब वह समय आ गया है कि जब केन्द्र व प्रत्येक राज्यों की सरकारों को अपने वोट बैंक की राजनीति को तत्काल त्याग कर लोगों को देश व समाज के हित में नियम कायदे व कानून का सख्ती से पालन करने के लिए बाध्य करना ही होगा, उनको देश में पूर्ण अनुशासित ढंग से रहना सिखाना ही होगा। वैसे भी देश में अब वह समय आ गया है जब सरकार व सिस्टम को लोगों को प्यार से व पूर्ण सख्ती के साथ जो व्यक्ति जिस भाषा में समझें उसे समझना होगा कि हमारा प्यारा देश संविधान से चलता है ना कि किसी भी जाति या धर्म के धार्मिक ग्रंथ से चलता है, इसलिए जिस व्यक्ति को भी भारत देश में रहना है उसके लिए संविधान के द्वारा तय नियम कायदे कानून व व्यवस्था सर्वोपरि है।

देश में आज भी बहुत सारे ऐसे लोग जीवित हैं जिन्होंने देश की आज़ादी के बाद का वह कठिन दौर भी देखा था, जब देश में एक छोटी सूई से लेकर के पानी के विशाल जहाज़ तक के लिए हम लोगों को विदेशी देशों पर पूरी तरह से निर्भर रहना पड़ता था। लेकिन गर्व की बात यह है कि आज हम लोग अपने पूर्वजों के ज्ञान, आविष्कार व मेहनत की बदौलत देश में अनगिनत छोटे बड़े प्रोडक्ट का उत्पादन करके देश का नाम दुनिया में रोशन करके अधिकांश में आत्मनिर्भर बन गये हैं।

वैसे भी हम लोगों को यह समझना होगा कि देश अपने नीतिनिर्माताओं की बेहद कुशल कारगर रणनीति और दुनिया भर में अपार संभावनाओं से परिपूर्ण विभिन्न अवसरों को हासिल करने के चलते मेहनत के दम पर बहुत तेजी के साथ विकास के पथ पर अग्रसित हो रहा है, इसलिए इस विकास के पथ पर किसी भी प्रकार का कोई व्यवधान उत्पन्न नहीं होना चाहिए, लेकिन कुछ लोग हैं जो कि दंगा फसाद व अनुशासनहीनता करके विकास के पथ पर व्यवधान उत्पन्न करके सबकी मेहनत पर पानी फेरना चाहते हैं, सरकार व सिस्टम को ऐसे देशद्रोहियों के मंसूबे को कामयाब होने से रोकना होगा, हम लोगों को भी उनके झांसे में आने से खुद को बचना होगा और देश को भी बचाना होगा।

हम लोगों को अपने इतिहास से सबक लेना होगा कि आजादी के बाद से लेकर आज तक ना जाने कितनी बार देश में चंद लोगों के द्वारा ओछी राजनीति व क्षणिक स्वार्थ के चलते छोटी-छोटी बातों का बतंगड़ बनाकर दंगा फसाद करवाने का कार्य किया है, उनके उकसावे में आकर के चंद लोगों ने अपने ही हाथों एक दूसरे के घरों को जलाने व एक दूसरे की हत्या तक करने का दुस्साहस किया है। वास्तव में देखा जाये तो यह लोग हमारे देश व समाज के सबसे बड़े दुश्मन हैं, क्योंकि इनके द्वारा दंगा फसाद को अंजाम देकर ना सिर्फ इंसान व इंसानियत की हत्या कराने का जघन्य अपराध किया जाता हैं, बल्कि इन लोगों की दंगा-फसाद की घटनाओं ने देश के विकास में बार-बार अवरोध उत्पन्न करने का कार्य किया है, इन चंद गलत लोगों की हरकतों की वजह से पूरी दुनिया में देश की छवि खराब होने का कार्य होता है।

*”वैसे देखा जाये तो देश में कश्मीर से लेकर कन्याकुमारी तक में जाति-धर्म की आड़ में होने वाले आयेदिन के इन दंगा फसादों ने भारत की बहुत ही शानदार और गौरवशाली बहुलतावादी संस्कृति को बेहद गहरे जख्म देने का कार्य किया है, इन हालातों ने लोगों के बीच एक दूरी बनाकर दीवार खड़ी करने का कार्य किया है, समाज में लोगों के बीच प्यार-मोहब्बत आपसी भाईचारे व विश्वास को बुरी तरह से छिन्न-भिन्न करने का कार्य किया है। देश में बहुत तेजी से बढ़ते धार्मिक उन्माद, धार्मिक कट्टरवाद ने आपसी प्यार-भाईचारे को कम करके लोगों के बीच एक गहरी खाई खोदने का कार्य कर दिया है, जिसको देश व समाज हित में अधिक गहरी होने से तत्काल रोकना होगा, हालात को ठीक रखने के लिए सरकार को जल्द से जल्द जाति धर्म व वोट बैंक को देखें बिना देश में सभी लोगों को अनुशासन में रहना सिखाने के लिए तत्काल ही ठोस प्रभावी कदम धरातल पर उठाने होंगे।”*

वैसे भी हम सभी देशवासियों को समय रहते यह समझना होगा कि देश में अमीर-गरीब, जाति-धर्म, भाषा-क्षेत्र आदि जैसे बेहद संकीर्ण आधारों पर आम लोगों को बांटकर उनके बीच विवाद पैदा करने का कार्य कुछ स्वार्थी लोगों के द्वारा अपनी क्षणिक स्वार्थपूर्ति के लिए बेहद चतुराई के साथ किया जा रहा है, इसलिए देश व समाज हित में अब हम लोगों को ऐसे धूर्त लोगों के झांसे में आने से बचना होगा। वैसे देश में जाति-धर्म के नाम पर आयेदिन बहकावे में आकर दंगा फसाद करने वाले लोगों के लिए कम से कम यह जानना बेहद जरूरी है कि भारत दुनिया का एक मात्र ऐसा देश है जहां पर सभी जाति व सभी धर्मों को एक समान पूर्ण स्वतंत्रता मिली हुई है, लेकिन फिर भी धर्म की आड़ लेकर के कुछ संगठन व कुछ लोग आयेदिन लोगों को बरगला कर माहौल खराब करने का कार्य करते रहते हैं, जो कि सरासर ओछी राजनीति से प्रेरित है।

मुझे बेहद अफसोस के साथ कहना पड़ रहा है कि देश में जिस तरह से अपने-अपने धर्म की आड़ में एक-दूसरे के धर्म के लोगों को चिढ़ाने का कार्य पिछले कुछ वर्षों से किया जा रहा है, वह देश की एकता अखंडता के लिए बिल्कुल भी ठीक नहीं है। समाज को तोड़ने वाली ऐसी हरकत करने लोगों को यह समझना होगा कि उनकी इस हरकत के चलते धर्म के नाम पर अपनी दुकानदारी चलाने वाले तथाकथित ठेकेदार व चंद स्वार्थी राजनेता देश के आम जनमानस के बीच एक बेहद जहरीली विद्धेषपूर्ण मानसिकता का विकास करने का कार्य कर रहे हैं, जो कि देश व सभ्य समाज दोनों के लिए बेहद घातक है। वैसे भी हम लोगों को समय रहते यह समझना होगा कि सच्चा धर्म हमें अनुशासन में रहकर जीवन जीना सिखाता है, ना कि धर्म के नाम पर दंगा फसाद, अनुशासनहीनता करना सिखाता है।

लेकिन फिर भी ना जाने क्यों धर्म के नाम पर आयेदिन देश में अधर्म होने लगा है दंगा-फसाद, लूटखसोट व निर्दोष लोगों की हत्याएं तक होने लगी हैं। जो धर्म सभी लोगों को जीवन देना सिखातें है, अफसोस आयेदिन उस धर्म की आड़़ लेकर ही धर्म के तथाकथित ठेकेदार व उनके अंधभक्त लोगों की उन्मादी भीड़ के द्वारा अज्ञानी लोगों को उकसा कर मानव व मानवता की हत्याएं बैखौफ होकर करवाने का अपराध किया जा रहा है।

वैसे देखा जाये तो पूरी दुनिया में धार्मिक उन्माद व कट्टरवाद अपने पूर्ण चरम पर है, धर्म की ओट लेकर के आयेदिन अधर्म के कार्य हो रहे हैं, तथाकथित स्वघोषित धर्म के ठेकेदार व चंद लोग इंसान व इंसानियत के दुश्मन बने हुए हैं, ऐसे लोगों की वजह से आज पूरी दुनिया के बहुत सारे देशों में जबरदस्त हंगामा बरपा हुआ है, उस हालात से अब हमारा देश भारत भी अछूता नहीं रहा है। एक तरफ तो हमारा देश भयावह कोरोना महामारी से जूझ रहा है, वहीं दूसरी तरफ मंदी का भयंकर प्रकोप है, देश में तेजी से बढ़ती मंहगाई व बेरोजगारी की समस्या की जबरदस्त मार वाला दौर चल रहा है।

लेकिन अफसोस कुछ राजनेताओं व धर्म के तथाकथित ठेकेदारों के इशारों पर कुछ नादन लोगों की भीड़ को अपनी गंभीर समस्याओं, रोजीरोटी-रोजगार व बच्चों के उज्जवल भविष्य की योजनाओं पर काम करने की कोई चिंता नहीं है, इन चंद लोगों को ऐसे मुश्किल समय में भी देश में दंगा फसाद करके समस्याओं को और गंभीर करने में आनंद आ रहा है। मेरा ऐसे राजनेताओं व धर्म के तथाकथित ठेकेदारों से केवल एक सवाल है कि क्या वो भी इस नफ़रती हिंसक भीड़ का हिस्सा कभी खुद व अपने बच्चों को बनाना चाहेंगे, मुझे पूरा विश्वास है कि सभी का जवाब नहीं में होगा, तो फिर यह चंद लोग देश में दूसरों के बच्चों के लिए नफ़रत के बीज क्यों बोने का कार्य कर रहे हैं।

आज हम लोगों को शांत मन से विचार करना चाहिए कि धर्म का मूल आधार अनुशासित जीवन, प्रेम व सद्भाव होता है, लेकिन आज के दौर में देखने वाली बात यह है कि इन बातों पर आखिर अमल कितने लोग व धर्म के कितने तथाकथित ठेकेदार करते हैं। हम लोगों को यह भी ध्यान रखना होगा कि सत्ता हासिल करने के लालच में देश के चंद राजनेताओं के द्वारा धर्म के कुछ तथाकथित ठेकेदारों के सहयोग से आम लोगों को बरगला कर धर्म के नाम पर नफ़रत की कभी ना टूटने वाली मजबूत दीवार खड़ी करने का कार्य किया जा रहा है, इस साजिश को हम लोगों को समय रहते समझकर देश व समाज के हित में हर हाल में नाकाम करना होगा। वैसे भी देखा जाये तो धर्म की आड़ लेकर हंगामा बरपाने वाले लोगों को क्या कभी यह महसूस होता है कि वह और उनका परिवार अब पूर्ण रूप से सुरक्षित है तो इसका जबाव भी नहीं में ही होगा, तो फिर धर्म की आड़ में बार-बार अधर्म क्यों।

आज हम लोगों के सामने चिंता की सबसे बड़ी बात यह है कि देश में तेजी से बढ़ते हुए धार्मिक उन्माद व कट्टरवाद से किस प्रकार से जल्द निपटा जाये। किस तरह से धर्म की आड़ में अधर्म को अंजाम देकर देशद्रोही बनने पर उतारू चंद लोगों को यह बात समझाई जाये कि बेशक अपने-अपने धर्म के अनुसार सभी धर्मों में पूजा अर्चना करने का तरीका व स्थलों की बनावट अलग-अलग हैं, धार्मिक तरीकें अलग है, लेकिन जहां तक दुनिया के प्रत्येक सच्चे धर्म की बात है तो धर्म तो केवल इंसान व इंसानियत की रक्षा करते हुए अनुशासित जीवन जीने का संदेश ही देते है, लेकिन फिर भी धर्म के नाम आयेदिन इंसान व इंसानियत की जघन्य हत्याएं चंद स्वार्थी व धूर्त लोगों के चलते हो रही हैं।

इसलिए समय रहते देश के सभी राजनेताओं, नीतिनिर्माताओं व सिस्टम में बैठे लोगों को अब यह समझना होगा कि अब देश व समाज हित में वह समय आ गया है, जब बिना किसी जाति-धर्म के भेदभाव के आधार के उन्मादियों व कट्टरपंथियों की भीड़ से सख्ती के साथ निपटने का कार्य करना होगा, तब ही भविष्य में हमारे प्यारे देश में अमनचैन, प्यार, मोहब्बत व आपसी भाईचारे के साथ शांति कायम रह सकती है और देश विश्व गुरु बनने के मार्ग पर तेजी के साथ अग्रसर रह सकता है।।

।। जय हिन्द जय भारत ।।
।। मेरा भारत मेरी शान मेरी पहचान ।।

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