Post script

Those who want to know what happened in Venezuela, there is a chilling eye witness documentary on the events in Caracas, coup d'etat in 2002 : Chavez- Inside the Coup (I saw it thanks to the efforts of PSBT). A two day drama unfolding in the Presidential palace and how the people of that nation overthrew this American corporate attempt. It's a brilliant documentation of duplicity and double standard of a powerful nation to capture oil resources with elite collaboration but suffered a spectacular defeat in the hands of informed and concerned citizens. Bravo to that!!!!.

British MP’s muslim only hallucinations and subsequent attempted Hara-kiri on an excellent British weather and other stiff lipped stories(abrdgd vrsn)

Mr. Shahid Malik who is a Member of Parliament in Britain writes in Guardian Newspaper that “…the young muslim in my constituency have been angered and frustrated by what they see as the double standards of “west” in relation to international muslims areas of conflict: Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq or Chechnya….”. This is a shocking comment I have read in recent time considering that it is coming from a person holding such a responsible position in extremely sensitive times. Because the onus is on him to tell these “young muslims” that they should learn to see humans as humans and not as religious objects. That the problem in each region is unique to the people there, as also there are multifold factors affecting and determining the problem. This is not about “muslims” or other religion as people like him want to see or make us believe. Understand this whether it is Baghdad or Cairo or Darfur, people who are killed are innocent humans. A Christian is as much a human as a Jew or Muslim. The “double standards” of the west is constant in context to only one factor and that is Power and acquiring more Power. And in the contemporary world oil control (natural gas) is key to maintain power. It is quite a coincidence that most of these are located in “muslim” dominated region so it is not really against a religion as one tends to assume. Haven’t they tried their “double standards” in Venezuela?. Further pre-industrial revolution these “double standards” were directed against people in the region of rich natural resources. So the “double standards” is about power consolidation nothing else, all other factors are incidental. The “young muslim” should also be told that “double standards” is also about policies through WTO, CTBT(lest one forgets the impunity with which France conducted its Tests in atolls), NPT,Kyoto and other treaties. The “double standards” is also about atrocities and human rights violations in “Islamic countries” and other totalitarian states. The “double standards” is also about colossal lose of life and international communities disinterest in places like Rwanda-Burundi or recently Sudan. The “double standards” is also about wasting of life in malnutritioned North Africa the recent case being that of Niger. So the “double standards” is not confined to the cherished “young Muslim of Britain” worldview. Further the “muslim oppression” as he sees it could be his interpretation as much as an “young hindu” is equally “frustrated and angered” on what he perceives as Indian governments “inaction in Kashmir” as also for the plight of “hindus” in Kashmir and other part of the world. Likewise in many part of the world “young whatever religion” are also “angered and frustrated” by what they “see as double standards”. So “young muslims” are NOT privileged in this regard. As “frustration and anger” to the government is quite frequent in all over the world. Further the “young muslim “ in Britain are also expected to show “frustration and anger” over the plight of people in many “Islamic” regimes. Why not start with Riyadh where people (sometimes “young muslims” themselves) are summarily executed in public places. Some might spend this time to write eloquence on “exquisite” sword used!!!.

The respected MP goes on to write “….no wonder young muslims who travel to Pakistan come back with a sense of belonging and an inner peace that eludes them in their own country..”. Pray why do they lack “inner peace” in Britain??. He causes it as “rising white only” tendencies in Britain particularly his constituency that is making the “young muslims alienated”. I am sure if there is a rise in racism in Britain it should also affect not “young muslim”, not “all white British” too. Most importantly what is about Pakistan that they come back with “inner peace” and “sense of belonging”?. For a beginner, Pakistan is not even a democratic state it is under military dictatorship, so it lacks even the basic democratic rights to its citizen. Many people in Pakistan (like in India) live under feudal and other oppressive norms. The “young muslim”(the touchy touchy fellow who could be next door jehadi) of Britain lives in an ego pandered surroundings. His male chauvinism is carefully guarded and his feeling as a MAN is catered to. So at home he sees his mother and sisters packed in chaddars, which incidentally is indicative of other oppressive norms it tend to substantiate (if he has any doubts he is guided into it by the friendly mullah in the neighborhood). So he invents himself in these “exquisite” surroundings and is readied to be commanded. After all he is the protector. Poor fellow should been experiencing severe pressure, identity crisis. If you put yourself in his place you will know the pressure to prove oneself can sometimes be very unsettling. The same is also applied to Hindu or any other society; actually religion is just an excuse. Then he comes out of his paradise to see that white women and men are not living in what he thought was proper more importantly what he demands to be proper. It is obvious that our poor boy will be “frustrated and alienated” (ditto about Bajrang dal or other sena). So he wants to be brainwashed into a jehadi. Enter our friendly mullah with his funny ideas on living and dying. You have a recipe. Further “frustrated and alienated” youngsters are nothing new (particularly among migrants, first and second generation). Many youngsters in different part of the world migrate from villages, small town to cities and metros. They all to some extend do feel “frustrated and alienated”, socially and culturally. This is a global phenomenon and not confined to “young muslims” in Britain. It happens in every society. It needs an open mind to tackle such problems. It needs identifying and acceptance of egalitarian norms and values rather than holding on to medieval practices and feel “sense of belonging” to the home one has left or associate with than expecting others to cater to ones unreasonable demands. So why don’t these people quit Britain and stay in Pakistan to feel complete “sense of belonging”??. Whose kidding!!!. As happens to many city dwellers we some times do romanticize our small villages and its assumed calmness. It lasts only for few days very soon we run away from it. We don’t really identify with what we have understood as unjust or should be discarded because of our egalitarian exposure in open societies, unless off course one is indoctrinated. So this again is a common psychology we associate with humans in most societies. But when male chauvinist dictated norms gives a sense of control one will definitely feel a sense of nostalgia, the lose felt is acute in cities by these boys trained to be served. So “inner peace” searching is about going to these chauvinistic pit holes. If that doesn’t work they take things in their own hand. As mentioned earlier religion is just an excuse “young any other religion in any other place” trained under feudal norms will carry the same mindset. At least in India, women are bartered commodity ably supported by matromonialists. They are just a male producing machine…and so on. The problem is when the status quo is threatened. It is not surprising that the even cities like National capital Delhi, in particular which is feudal in all its pretensions has seen a stark increase in crime rates in recent times. Rape is so very common that now they are getting innovative that is in moving car (such “inner peace”!!!). If one case is reported then 10 are unreported. Note the audacity with which the siri fort rapists came back for the second attempt within minutes. Further don’t go by the sophisticated crowd here they are no different. South Delhi one of poshest places has one of the lowest sex ratio in India. So angrezi ka kamal is bit too superficial.
So what is this hullabaloo about “young muslims” in Britain??. One wonders whether this is a creation of politician and mullahs to serve their own purpose. They know that by portraying themselves as victims they can extract concessions. And moronic Britishers will keep licking till they create a monster out of even the ordinariest of immigrant. And then they chase and kill them in cold blood and issue a terse: Sorry we killed the wrong man honey!!! Extending the same logic it is requested that the delhi government may start “inner peace” tourism which is about providing larger cars with bed attached for these “frustrated and alienated young whatever religion”. The alternative for britishers in such a scenario would be to invite these “frustrated and angry” boys (sorry girls not invited only boys are expected to be angry) who are classified for our ease as “young muslims” in Britain, to their home. Arrange velvet carpets, basket of goodies and yes don’t forget to cover women of the household in chadhar (purdah), you see our boy could get a hard one and it aint be his fault (our friendly neighborly mullah will find a justification, we have precedence) if he starts raping. So please pamper and give him that “inner peace” also please listen to stories of grievances, essentially about how “young muslims” (read where muslim men not able to get power or ego not satisfied) all over the world are suffering and having problems. Yes we will also believe that people who are NOT “young muslims” have no problems and grievances at all and that they live in paradise wherein when they open their mouth stars drop in chocolates and sweet buns from sky, such is the world NOT “young muslim of britain” inhabit all over the world. Yes we will believe all that. Anything for “inner peace”. Who knows poor boys could get angry and start killing-the ultimate MANly action left to do. Then the onus will be on us to justify that too. You see we have to make them feel “belonged”. So what do we do with that next door “young Japanese non muslim” who is also feeling “not belonged” or the people in lets say Myanmar, Nepal or the “young muslim youth”(read female gender) in Islamic nations as also in Pakistan, where they have been fighting for as basic as public space (contact Ms. Asma Jehangir for detail). Padam onu Vilapam(Malayalam) is a strongly suggested movie in this context. It's about appalling life “young muslim”(read female gender) live due to medieval “exquisite” practice of polygamy. Note that it is only recently that Kuwait gave voting rights to women!!. Also what about the "frustrated and alienated" people in yesterday's that is 25/7 Gurgaon tragedy?. What about "frustrated and alienated" people silent protesting against water exploitation by CokePepsi?. What about the"frustrated and alienated" unemployed and underemployed youngsters all over the world??. So what do we do with all these “frustrated and alienated” people. Hara-kiri!!!!!.
People like Mr. Shahid Malik will definitely give communal color to the problem, exaggerate grievances to consolidate their own public space. One cannot expect anything from a politician. Politician of the entire world are similar species. But to be fair with Mr. Malik he does advocate debates as a means out. But the context of alienation and the objective of being classified as “muslims”, so essentially expected to have unique problems, is itself questioned. He is not only flawed here but also accused of being a communalist in what is essentially a secular democratic state providing its citizens all modern facilities and freedom to develop, not denying racism and prejudices do exist but it has not acquired the mainstream character yet. Further having classified “young muslim” “alienated and frustrated” the means these people choose to confront their problems are in most likelihood not expected to be debate oriented since there are exciting and macho alternatives. Violence is definitely a plausible option considering that there are too big sharks involved in the business of inciting violence. Further it has to be accepted that religion and society (as patriotism) does provide space for violence wherein dead are classified as martyrs and eulogized. In all societies there are war memorials and hero worshiping, wherein the irony is: Patriotism is only a matter of geography and not an eternal truth. Truth is people kill and society (as also religion ) does justify it. We will be too dumb not to accept this fact. So being appalled by “misuse” of religion and collective consternation is a healthy but futile exercise. Talking of violence of religion I think Hindus in kerala can take the pride on the fact they classified some people as “unseeable”(a step further down “untouchability”) caste and treated them as such for generations!!!. This is most heinous form the religion and tradition has taken in human history, many people are not aware of this vegetarian massacre. Jehadis, Crusaders, leftist like Stalin, Hitler or other mass killers are nothing compared to this mutilation of mass psyche for centuries. This is where very being of life is degraded and systematically bled for centuries. One need add it as part of “brahminical hilarity”, sediments we still see slipping in, despite angrezi ka kamal related sophistication. So we learn from history that human societies have immense potential for heinous violence, religion has been a convenient conduit. Not denying that all religion are created for betterment of humans, societies and have lofty ideas for our goodness but as is experienced, the egalitarian influence is lost in realities of life and the specific need to capture power or satisfy ego. It boils down to how man on the street interprets (or is doctrined) the religion. In most case the elite misuses him and “frustration and alienations” are only a means for their consolidation.
The way out of such a quandary is to identify ourselves as humans first and accepting that problems are uniquely contextual, closely associated with the existential reality of the people involved and that human feelings are universal. So we can identify and connect ourselves as humans, which is our basic character. We are not only citizens of earth but also citizens of cosmos (I saw this film on cosmos today morning at Calicut planetarium in kerala organized to commemorate 36th year of human landing on moon). We are actually very insignifant in the billion galaxy cosmos we inhabit. We are too very small.
Further the problems we face need to be interpreted in egalitarian self-consciousness, if scripture is needed as guidance then an open mindedness to contemporary reality and its ever-dynamic context need to be taken into consideration. In an increasingly globalised world there are no Majority or Minority but people with unique sets of problems, universal aspirations and identifiable emotions. When I collected around 800 peoples signature in protest against the war on Iraq, it was for the human beings who in all likelihood will be massacred and NOT for “muslims” or any other religion. During my college days and life after I studied and moved around with all types of religion, sect youngsters and we never ever saw any difference in our predicaments. If ever it was due to incidents happening outside our sphere of understanding or prejudice fuelled by politician and self-serving Media (for the same reason campus politics is very important, off course outside influence spoiled that too). We shared the same insecurities, aspirations, frustrations, elations…..I refuse this classification of human being as I have always done and wouldn't mind fighting it all alone. Fundamentalists and Pseudo-secularists i don't give a damn . Classifying people is an elitist endeavor; it helps them to have better control over ordinary people. It helps them to neglect individual/local problems. The immediate problems of basic needs and securities. Not denying that Bush moron has seriously jeopardized any chance of sanity to thrive. This is dangerously inching towards Huntington’s nightmare. It really is very bleak.
Bye
Depalan
PS. Britishers may take some lessons from Indian Supreme Court on “multiculturism” and propagating “vibrant and exquisite” culture by demarcating London into White’s only park, Blacks only buses, Parsi’s only flats, Brahmin’s only Hotels, Untouchables alley, Bania’s shitpots…..and so on. Who said we lack imaginations. So much beauty here. Supremely, judiciously beautiful. That way rather than feeling the pain of other humans we will feel the angst of “frustrated and alienated” Whiteman in White’s only park, “frustrated and alienated” Blackman in Black’s only park, “frustrated and alienated” Parsiman in Parsi’s only flats……….and so on. Off course this will spare us from Batman, Spiderman, Superman…….amen!!!. Ahman, WoWman…..Noman. ok stopitman !!!!.

London Blasts and a peculiar anecdote of cultivated ignorance over a cup of British tea and other stories.

Ziauddin sardar, author of widely acclaimed Desperately seeking paradise: journeys of a sceptical muslim (Granta) a UK based Pakistani writer on Islam with a deep knowledge on Islamic theology writes on the question of whether Islam has anything to do with the violence committed in its name. The answer he gives shouldn’t surprise us: “Islam has everything to do with it”. And what is not surprising for Islam is also not surprising for any other religion anywhere too. This may not be the reason to be classified as an atheist that will be killing the messenger. The message is important to understand the problems plaguing the contemporary world the roots of which are being traced to religion. Mr. Sardar further writes that “..the terrorist are a product of specific mindset has deep roots in Islamic history. They are nourished by an Islamic tradition that is intrinsically inhuman and violent in its rhetoric, thought and pursuit. …..only recognising this brutal fact would we realise that the fight against terrorism is also an internal muslim struggle with islam. Indeed it is a very struggle for the soul of islam”(emphasis added). Now this “aspect of islam” is true to any other religion or sect. Violence in thought and pursuit is an “aspect” present as a common historical factor in most human societies. The degree to which it is controlled varies. Whether it is Hinduism or Christianity there will always be a group that will justify acts of violence and will even take the religious scriptures to justify these barbaric acts. Whether it takes a mainstream character or remains in the fringe also varies with the influence of the sanity centres in each society. Sanity centres necessarily interprets the contemporary reality on humanistic notion, seeking justification through religious scriptures if necessary, although one need add in organised religions (or societies where illiteracy and majority threat perception exist, ghettoised) the scope for secular interpretation is very much diminished. The difficulty is further compounded when these acts of violence are intrinsic in religion itself and hence the space of interpretation gets reduced. The option here could be to take the interpretation on a metaphysical level. For instance in Hinduism lord Krishna gives a go ahead to kill Karna which was foul but was justified. This can be raised to the issue of Means over Ends. Ends being pursuit of truth and goodness to all. But then who decides what is good?. Since in Hinduism nothing is codified and offers no prescription there is a space for debate and resistance to authoritarianism is intrinsic. Fundamentalists here really have to work overtime to identify issues and somehow try to link it with religion (I sometimes feel sincerely sorry for them. A series of bomb blasts is what they are waiting for). Modernity therefore only helps in what is good for us and surrounding, emboldens the beautiful part of the religion. There is immense possibility in synergic development here. Further there is nothing final in Hinduism and any argument (interpretation) can be questioned and even trashed. Since there is no real authority (one can even have a personal God!!!) so the question of imposition of ones view on other doesn’t even arise. However Hinduism can hardly be seen as a case study in a world where organised religions are up at each other’s throat. The other day I happen to see a religion channel GOD, which is about gospel truth in bible. People here are so very sure about everything!!. Where they ran an interview with an author of a book on how Iran is a threat. The whole discussion was centred on threat to Christians from islam!!!. The other issue dealt was how women were dying taking contaminated abortion pills. Terri Shiavo’s ghost was still hovering through a book “silent witness”. And the “newsreader’s” continuous assertion that state and religion are same. These are not fringe views. So whether it is Hindus or Christians or whatever one common factor seen in all societies is that the interpretation and imposition is always at the behest of powerful (elite) who necessarily stands to gain. So it is a mean to their power consolidation. It is not surprising that most interpretations of religion have gone against marginalized (sometimes tortured, murdered being classified as outsiders) or women. In the contemporary world too people who stand to gain from such a system justify these. Whether it is matrimonial column by some very educated people or the obnoxious practice of women wearing purdah (veil or chaddar, burka, if you may), to point out few. These are not isolated understanding this is very much related to how we treat other human being. This is objectifying human and taking away dignity. So violence becomes impersonal and easily justifiable (patriotism is a similar subject). Thus the concept of barbarism becomes intrinsic part of understanding and understanding concretising into thought and subsequent action (extolling crime) is but expected. It is that the seeds are very much germinating inside and the fruits comes out as some bomb blasts (or justification for a rape). Then they say as they did in London “ it is unbelievable” “they were brainwashed”(I never knew brain could be washed!!. aisee safedi ki bus doondthe rah jaoge!!). How could “young muslim men born and bred in the very same society, leading a normal life” could do this?. In the media particularly from abroad there seems to be an attempt to justify the attacks on London as an ‘inevitable” reaction to invasion on iraq. Mayor of London (as reported today) terms it as, quite appropriate I thought, a reaction to “hypocritical policies of west”. To some extend this is true but the attempt to straightjacket this as a case of retaliation is foolhardy and dangerous. This will be legitimising violence, an attempt to dehumanise the problem as wrong or right devoid of human context. This is further squeezing the secular debate space to religious polemicist. This is allowing terrorist to find a legitimate base for using religion, a perverse justification. This is a dangerous trend. Yes Bush-Blair are war criminals and have gone against the international community. A conservative estimate puts the civilian deaths at 25000 in iraq which includes killing by the occupying force as also by the resistance groups. US defence secretary Donald Rumsfled (some call him Mister Dumbsfelt) is quoted as saying “we don’t do body counts”. Yeaaah sure “we jus kil ‘em. Like terminator. Bang.bang.bang.” These people are responsible for this tragedy. They have increased the threat of chemical and biological warfare on innocent people. Even the threat of nuclear fallout in near future is not ruled out. But that is not the justification for violence as retaliation seen as legitimate action by some in media. Why is that the so called “marginalized youth” of Britain didn’t protest (or go on a suicide mission) when innocents were killed in Kigali or more recently in Darfur??. Why was Thoe Von Gogh killed? In most part of the world youth do get despondent and many a time feel alienated they don’t behave like the one in Britain. The foreign minister of Pakistan is wrong in blaming Britain for its “failure to integrate migrant youth” for the simple reason that the onus is on immigrants to adjust further intergation is not entirely societal it can even be personal . They seem to be too much pampered. Importantly most terrorists have spent some time in Pakistan. It is estimated that as many as 15% of Pakistani madrasas preach violent jihad and few even provide covert military training. This is not about Pakistan it could have happen to any country even India were there are reports of Hindu fundamentalists training youths (ditto as white supremist Timothy Mcviegh got gun training in home ground). This is the perilous level to which religion can be taken that is as factory to churn killers. These are, as Wole Soyinka writes some years back (in an article Beauty and the Beast- in context to attack of fundamentalists on beauty pageants in Nigeria) “the storm troopers of intolerance, the manipulators of feeble minded…murderous hands of fanatics ”. The horror of peace under the darkness of purdah (veil) and other symbols of tyranny being accepted as culture is as dangerous as terror of massacring innocent people in Darfur or Baghdad. Mr William Dalrymple writes (in Guardian Newspaper) “……producing cannon fodder for the taliban and graduating local sectarian things is not at the same as producing the kind of technically literate Al-Queada terrorists use………indeed there is an important and fundamental distinction to be made between madrasa graduates-who tend to be pious villagers from impoverished backgrounds, possessing little technical sophistication- and the sort of middle-class politically literate, global salafi jihadis who plan Al Queada operations around the world. Most of these turn to have secular and technical backgrounds and very few turn out be madrasa graduates….”. Indeed an in-depth study(by Peter Bergen of John Hopkins) of 75 islamist terrorist who carried out major anti-west attacks show that “53% of the terrorists have either attended colleges or have received college degree”. Islamic terrorism, like its Christian predecessor has remained a largely bourgeois endeavour, writes Mr. Dalrymple, they are highly educated and their aims clearly and explicitly political. Point taken infact we are aware of this trend it is applicable to any society, it’s a step to consolidate power. But to deny its religion origin and to see only the “explicitly political” part is a fallacy, dangerously flawed understanding. The “swamp of grievances” where these terrorist breeds are also about what they perceive as religious discrimination wherein the factors are multifold. Why this selective passionate reactions?. Also understand many people in different part of the world face their own set of grievances they don’t come out with bombs and kill innocent people as retaliation, probably they need pentagon training!! Because of their demented, sometimes obsequious, mainstream worldview the West (particularly Britain) has helped the fundamentalists (of all places, even Hindus are trying to codify themselves in West and transport it to our backyard) to crystallise their regressive views, in a concerted effort as uniqueness of culture. Wherein this interpretations may have nothing to do with the people in the land of origin, the culture of which these scoundrels are so studiously trying to protect in West. Infact these so called protectors are not even bothered about local people (take for instance the case of resistant groups in Iraq, consider how they have no qualms in killing even children). So what Britain is fighting is terror of creation of their own mindset, iraq is only an excuse, a diversion. These acts were waiting to happen. O the horror of stupidity!. Nay it is not ignorance.

Strange to be ignorant of the way things work:
Their skill at finding what they need,
Their sense of shape, and punctual spread of seed,
And willingness to change;
Yes it is strange.

(Philip Larkin; Ignorance)

It is very strange indeed. As strange as when Mr. Aijaz Ahmed (in an essay in Frontline) is “particularly pleased to see, two days after the attacks, large number of purdah-clad ladies and bearded gentlemen of certain religious persuasion out on the streets in full force…” Read the words “certain religious persuasion”….guess who!!! ..this is the angrezi ka kamal related sophistications…so one assumes. He even mentions “exquisite hijab”!!!. We don’t share his “particular pleasure”. Sorry no way. Pseudo secularists like Aijaz Ahmed and the Master who gave him the space in this magazine are the reason for rising tolerance to minority fundamentalism and subsequent majority backlash. We are not, as civilised people, “particularly pleased” to see women being packed up and paraded (off course made to believe as their esteemed Right). It is as disgustful practice as mutilation of vagina in North Africa or dowry system in India to point out few ‘vibrant culture” from other part of the world. People like Aijaz Ahmed have the capacity to stray us from the perspective, which is so very crucial for our sanity. They come as secular hooligans. If bush and cronies used 9/11 to capture oilfields. Then these people use 7/7 to consolidate their regressive norms like purdah wearing-dark spots of humanity and other feudal affiliation as part “culture” protection. These are cheerleaders of Culture of tyranny. Culture of shame we share as human beings. So are they going to allow polygamy too? That is also “exquisite” culture!!!..
Mr. Blair might point to the “shoddy perversion” of Islam caused by western way of life and “values so dear to us”. What is this western way of life which so exalted?. The west is also France which so refreshingly different in its understandings. When Britain prouds for its “multicultural” society one can’t but feel nauseated. Are these “values dear to us” about supporting the attack on innocent people of Iraq when it was an opportunity to unite sane voices around the world in the fight against terrorism rather than the sham it is reduced to, bringing the world to serious disaster?. Are these “values dear to us” about tolerating medieval practices?. If these are “values dear to us” then these attacks are only boomerangs. The next boomerang is Right wing capitalising and majority communalisation. Slow shift in mainstream politics towards a regressive intolerant one. This is nothing unexpected. Ideally in a more civilised society such people- people who idolise regressive ideas and traditions, should either be not allowed in or kicked out at the very first instance. It is the root at which they are eating into. If these people are respected in “developed” countries it makes things doubly difficult for people in poorer countries who in most cases are fighting the same exploitative system, whether it is casteism in India or public space for women in Pakistan. I am sure you have heard of Mukhtar Mai case or how they resisted to as simple an issue as women’s marathon in Pakistan? Britain like other “developed” countries should behave more responsibly. There are lots of expectations it has to fulfil when one associates terms like “developed”. Many people in this part of the world do admire the West for its developments and standard of living it offers to its people. The kind of opportunities and freedom it provides. “Those ideals and conviction which resulted from historical experience, from the craving for beauty and harmony…the ideals concerning the conduct of men towards each other and the desirable structure of the community….conceived and taught by enlightened individuals in the course of history”(Albert Einstein, 1954). But when this same society extend that space to heinous medieval practices in the name of “multiculturalism” we are appalled. Understand this most people who migrate to West are in most cases gainer/by-product of an exploitative system back home. It is not poor or marginalized who migrate to richer societies (there is huge difference between people going to Dubai for work and those who intend to migrate to west). So before being proud on its “multiculture” the British people need to take a crash course on what is culture. If they haven’t yet “crashed” into it !!. I am reminded of a documentary that I saw some years back on the life at Time Square New York. It was a very long documentation on life and events around Time Square. There is a scene where the “black” racist group was spewing venom on “white”. One pedestrian a white man agrees to be stamped by them, he even let them stand on him!!. This moron says something like he wanted take the sin of past atrocities away and other gibberish!!!. When I look at British society I feel ditto. Such morons. They either knows lick or kick in the name of “multiculturalism”. So far it has been licking in the name of “multiculturalism” now it is going to be kicking (tough laws and killing innocent people) in the name “multiculturalism”. Can never be normal. Cannot treat people as humans. Can’t see what is exploitative and regressive mindset. But more than “developed” morons in Britain I am more concerned about the affect this has on our society. The rats will definitely come home to nibble. …..well its already started. Few weeks back I was watching NDTV (Big Fight concerning Imrana case and UCC) a women wearing purdah, covered from head to toe in the audience claims (in a foreign accent, this is very important) that she too is liberated!!!. Yes object yes. Etu liberratedtto!!!. Mr. Pronnoy Roy and gang should be ashamed of themselves for mainstreaming these rats. Maybe they are trying to brush up on “secularism”. They really don’t know what they are playing with. Anyway they don’t have to face the consequences those are for people down somewhere who creep in as Imrana case or jath panchayats. The population of these rats are only going to increase making things immensely difficult for us. For a moment I thought I should give one good slap to any britisher I come across in near future, as a tribute. This feeling further fuelled when I heard that London is to host Olympics (some during celebrations even claiming victory of multiculturism!!). Then very next day I saw the blast sights in TV and felt sorry for them. All sane people should stand for French people and their effort to deny such squiggling space for medieval practices in the name of culture. Blasts can happen anywhere but I will be genuinely pained if it strikes France. They are beacon of sanity, which we aspire to achieve. Religion has to be removed from its deeply authoritarian aspect and intolerance it breeds. There is no space from such an idea in civilised society. If West has to accept religion as more than a personal matter and recognise it as a communitarian (as a foreign columnist suggests) then it has to create a system wherein the authoritarian aspect of religion is dealt severely. Liberty and freedom cannot be hostage of religion or any ideology. An attempt to see liberty and freedom through religion is curtailing what we cherish. This neo con jihadi agenda is a threat for world peace. In an essay titled “Human Rights and civil Rights”(published in 1934) Albert Einstein writes

“ A large part of our attitude towards things is conditioned by opinion and emotions which we unconsciously absorb as children from our environment. In other words, it is tradition- besides inherited aptitudes and qualities-which makes us what we are. We but rarely reflect how relatively small compared with powerful influence of tradition is the influence of our conscious thought upon our conduct and convictions……with our growing self-consciousness and increasing intelligence we must begin to control tradition and assume a critical altitude towards it, if human relations are ever to change for the better. We must try to recognise what is in our accepted tradition is damaging to our fate and dignity- and shape our life accordingly”

Bye

Depalan

Ps. Two movies East Is East (English) and Khamosh Pani (Pakistani) are very relevant in this context and very strongly suggested.

Sometime back I was strolling in the second hand Sunday book mart in delhi. I happen to locate this collection of poems titled Monkey Shadows (sujatha bhatt) from nondescript heap of torn and fading books. This is a set of beautiful collection of poems. Read these lines from my favorite :The Stare (from Monkey Shadows collection).

The stare

There is that moment
when the young child
stares
at the young monkey child
who stares back-
Innocence facing
innocence in a space
where the young monkey child
is not in captivity.
There is purity
clarity
there is a transparence
in this stare
which lasts a long time…
eyes of water
eyes of sky
the soul can still fall through
because the monkey
has yet to learn fear
let alone arrogance….
…………
…………
What remains burning
is that moment
of staring :
the two formed heads
balanced on fragile necks
tilting towards each other,
the monkey face
and the human face
absorbing each other
with intense gentleness.

Isn’t it beautiful???. How about these lines I scribbled the other day

Existential angst of a non-vegetarian

A fish shop is the place
where staring at dead eyes for too long
means the price will be doubled.
Carrying back unanswered questions
will cost more than bargained for.
“Are you going to eat
few questions with raw rice?”
is an answer at wrong place.

my poems

Sea stories

I squint into the afternoon glitter
and tried trace his figure humped,
next to the upturn catamaran.
A fisherman's life is just like the fish he catches,
trapped in the debt of life, he would say
sewing the torn net from the night,
a beedi ignited on the corner end of his lips.
A child in his curious best
I failed to catch his philosophical musings
and insisted more and more on deep sea stories,
the world underneath those huge waves.
He laughed as always he did.
You want me to tell about palatial palaces,
queens and kings,
sea horses and sea elephants, don't you?
He laughed again as he always did.
No kid there is nothing like that
it's a dumb story your mother has told,
there aren't even enough fish down there.
Not even fish.
I would clench my ears, yell at him
and run away for another story.