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 !!!!.
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 !!!!.
