Discriminations as you search for room/house to live

…the kind of harassment you face as you search for room/flat to stay in cities like Delhi is appalling, it only consolidates how primitive this society is. You are humiliated and made to realise your ‘position’ as tenant. It gets worse as you go down for cheaper deal. You are disgraced and treated like a lump of shit. There is no line between private and public, you are deemed a property.  Not only that once you get a room then comes another set of blatant intrusions and restrictions. It can be frustrating if you don’t keep the mind out, it can even turn you into psychopath! These kind of crude dealing makes you wonder as to who are these people who are landowners, particularly in big cities (and as you near posh colonies things become quite crystal clear), and then the pattern emerges.  

You are discriminated on any fancy notion, quirks, idiosyncrasies, most significantly superstitions (believe me the scoundrels have long list, as god is in private dalliance with them and they seem to be holder of secret ways)  of the house owner, also reverentially referred as landlords. Any kind of variance can be source of scrutiny and further exploitation, so language, accent, surname, region, eat habiting, marital status and god knows what becomes source of intense scratching. If you have Muslim name then in most cases you will be shown the door, while Christians don’t seem to have much problems (indeed south Indians, specifically keralaites are preferred, I guess since they are easily subjugated, complete change of culture and environment puts most in shells). Since my name confuses and doesn’t obviously point to Hindu, to make matter worse I was going through mandatory JNU-kurtha phase, I have been pointedly asked many times whether I am Muslim? Aap muslim tho nahin hai?...don’t know how to translate that, it is quite nuanced, in the query there is sarcasm and rejection also. Even quite recently in Mysore the broker clarified that if I am Muslim I wouldn’t be getting room in ‘this’ locality, hinting some kind of pride. Likes of MN Srinivas could  explain that in some lucid theory, for me it is clear crudeness.

Unlike likes of Sardesais, Desais, Guhas, Mishras… who carry the primitive beacon and quite self-assuredly express humbleness and otherworldly shudhtha concerns, people from lower sections tend to hide their pecking order in primitive world. Any hint of it will be detrimental in mean streets of Delhi. So unlike on your face muslims they tend to morph. This the main reason why biharis as a group are targeted, lumpenized and treated inhumanly. Indeed in many cases they seek cities to escape the atrocities from the world that Sardesais of the universe pride in. This in itself should put in context to what kind of depraved people are at the helm, the one who play saviour.  

Post script: pandit is a term for reverence to knowledge, in case people have forgotten, if it is a casteist primitive reference (that the elite pride in) then I request it need to be expunged from English language. Amitabh Matto is known for his exaggerated concerns but he should understand that unlike careless media Kashmiri Hindus cannot be referred to as pandits. That is blatant casteism. Morons in the media can be forgiven for their habitual narcissism but he positions himself as some kind of intellect. He should be careful. In the meanwhile our man even finds time to take interviews for civil service aspirants. Come on sirji sab jegeh hath daloge kya, hum jaison ko bhi tho jeene do. Wonder why these retired bureaucrats/ambassadors even serving civil servants (they should be dealt severely by the government) find it interesting to take interviews? Many lack appallingly in their contemporary knowledge and understanding. It is shocking how they seek to capitalise on their position. I wouldn’t be surprised if these are the kind of people inhabiting UPSC.  

Matters of discriminations and concerns that makes us lighthearted to worldly ways

India is a primitive society is a well-documented fact, and that the elite (class-caste overlap) are depraved lot is known too. It is in this milieu that hilarities packed as concerns for discrimination makes it unannounced presence, as some kind of revelation, holiday surprise. That the cherished identities of most Indians i.e. Hindus perniciously extending to other religions in the intensity of camaraderie (in particular the elite) is in itself sustaining on discrimination, and that the nature of social relation herein is discriminatory, is hidden under carpet with characteristic alacrity. Gandhi mopped it in with exaggerated concern for nonviolence, a well-placed joke on a sedate society in trance in the brutal realities, incapacitated by its own cannibalistic tendencies. Taken out of context nonviolence exhibits itself as compassionate and nuanced response, in Indian reality though it was a clever attempt on status quo, a devious ploy to contain and subjugate the discriminated people –the mass majority, who lived in horrendous world created by debauched elite. Discrimination is part of Indian way of life it truly is the foundation of individual identity, shared by family, expressed by clans, cherished by society and a pointer for upgradation in next life in depraved scheme of things.

Each occupation that is part of ‘tradition’ can be traced as an outcome of discrimination. Statistics of people working in most dreadful and exploitative surroundings point to historically brutalised section. Merit is traced to competitions that disadvantage the majority, while competence itself is in flawed premise. Rot learning without any involvement or reference to surrounding create merit that is unskilled to realities while the skilled are deemed as waste. This mediocrity is celebrated, as India is described as service industry giant. Meaning bimbos ready to caress the investors, meaning help, hawk, sell whatever. Service industry is a euphemism for junk society, where brain dwells in tongue and facial expressions, a thoughtless world that seeks thoughtlessness, predatory on weakness, hyping to trap. No wonder Indian elite consider themselves god ordained competent, market has only emboldened their self-worth. Truth can be quite humbling. Competence is much nuanced understanding that necessarily is ability to comprehend deeply (ie more than the value/use associated), knowledge that leads to understanding, a convergence of thoughts. Nice talks (preferred in English) cannot create competence. Demographic dividends are hinged on flawed perceptions and exaggerations ably goaded by primitive elders. The reason why money, perks, prestige, position, power etc. are paramount considerations hence define competence.   

Statistics will point to unusually large presence of squatters in areas that is source of easy money, the chelas mopping up the rest. Clearly if temple priest were/are squatters then that is traditional discrimination on others. This is the core of tradition, extend it to other fields and you will see the blatant discriminations. Taking the example of angst filled media, wonder what makes squatters so competent. Likes of Sardesai (I have nothing personally against this fellow, just that this moron had the temerity to put his neck out. Unfortunate audacity) swing from one channel to another, as if is epitomizing competence. Any day I can speak much better than him, if I can then millions of people can, it is as stupid. But will I take such an offer i.e. to speak nonsense? (he sparkles during exit poll inane talks, also stupid talks surrounding cricket or juvenile surveys). Ofcourse not, it is too embarrassing (long time back I was offered one in radio channels that I refused. I was aiming on interviewing authors. Why should one be speaking if it doesn’t make any sense?). Complete absence of "dalits" and tribes from lucrative jobs, and over presence of squatters points to serious discriminations. This is irrespective of any religion. Coming to the middle class Muslim boy facing discrimination…well what is shocking is blatant nature of denying him the job. This is rare, since these are dealt in a nuanced way. Like when Sardesai is asserting his primitive identity he is expressing his camaraderie which works to enhance his career, as this will be echoed. In effect he is cleverly pushing out the competition, and establishing his brand (Desai understands, Guha sends his tweets). These subtleties carefully scrutinized shows entrenched favoritism and inbuilt discriminations. Attempts to stretch from sickularism to secularism will be closely scrutinized.

Apart from flawed understanding on competence, nepotism, that defines Indian society, is undoubtedly cause of serious discrimination. It denies others the opportunity. Hereditary transactions are source of discrimination. These degrade the system and give way to corruption and sleaze hence becomes source of exploitation. Population increase put serious pressure on resources hence the weaker section is seriously stressed, as the space gets reduced they pay the price, hence further discriminated. With low HDI (IMR, U5MR) poorer sections fertility rate will be high but that doesn’t explain increased progenies of elite sections. Every child born (where they could easily adopt) shows entrenched biases and insecurities that ofcourse is discriminatory. Amartya Sen therefore (despite his groovy talks and books) becomes a source for discrimination, as his more number of progenies have dwindled the opportunities for others in particular the marginalized. Every time resources are wasted/overused, especially food, it is a source for discrimination on others, understanding that about 40% of people in this country go without food.  

           

It is in this context that one has to understand the angst of liberal sickular elites, it is a habitual problem. A middle class boy, with Muslim name, was discriminated against in a job selection becomes the latest rallying point. It is an unfortunate event, the law should be applied stringently and guilty punished for discriminations. But this attempt on stretching it from sickularism to secularism is a constant struggle in this section, this time it is couched in ideas of liberal fairness hence modernity. Therefore now the elite with muslim names are automatically victims, Crude Woman who is desperately languishing in sidelines has opportunity for resurrection (and ofcourse create more misery for others), manipulate her way and ironically discriminate (how many genuine talents lost out as she manipulated her national awards so on, despicable). Lastly, coming to Muslim angst, this blogger has written this earlier too. Religion is not sacrosanct, indeed it can never be. These cannot be indulged beyond a point. It is quite clear that the world is facing severely due to atrocities emanating in the name of religion. Islam (particularly the horrible version of Sunni) is undoubtedly becoming a source for misery for large section of people around the world. Non-muslims have very credible reasons to be suspicious of a religion that seems to relegate it as non-entities, indeed dehumanised. ISIS is only extending it by brutal executions. It is therefore quite natural that Muslims explore the choice of rejecting religion altogether or shifting to some other faith. It is difficult to play it both ways and expect empathy. We live in civilized world in which each individual has a choice to decide what faith to follow or not. If something is giving untold misery then one should drop it or try be less arrogantly assertive. The world is increasingly becoming brutal place, it is unfortunate that common people are getting trapped in the cross fire. In the meanwhile it is duty of the state to promote secular thoughts and philosophies, as also crux of all religions, as also against religion, in schools. People must be in a position to choose, they cannot be born into something. That is how you define liberal society. I guess too much is being compromised in the name of religion as also pernicious nature of minority rights that only values religion. The genuine minority issues that needs attention is relegated.     

Horrible nature of poetry, and degraded creativeness

I have nothing against Mythli Sharan Gupt, a rather well known Hindi poet whose poetry we were taught in school, indeed some of the lines are quite endearing that I recall putting in this blog.  So here I was in Delhi on a sunny hot afternoon with nothing much on the schedule, a cursory shuffle through the net pointed to a talk on Mythli Sharan Gupt at IIC. Now before I go further into this let me point to those who may not know much about IIC, it is a pretentious place were Delhi’s retired and retiring  powerful people with big egos hobnob on lighter aspects of life and generally catch up on each other. There is general bonhomie and hilarity in the atmosphere as they negotiate crucial issues plaguing the nation with characteristic ease over multiflavoured cakes and pastries. You could glimpse the patron saints of media and vicious gatekeepers of cultures tied in ethereal conversation, the pause and the nuance, the drinks and the tarts. The chelas, the punds and gudhi punds in hierarchical patronising selves of propriety and conventions, fiercely defending their turf. Peace be upon him, them and everyone. 

IHC across the road is another of such holes, but it places itself in chic. Though I must add when you are in your 20s these places do open up the mind and does create inquisitiveness into areas I was not even aware of. Quite coincidentally IHC came into being about the time I landed up in Delhi. These places became my favourite haunt, and dropped in quite often, as I returned from work from CP to south Delhi and so on, a rather delicious free coffee sealed the matter. So here I was at IIC to listen to Gupt’s Yashodhara, expecting something interesting. I must add, one must not attend poetry readings or anything related to it, it is amazingly trivial affair unless it is about some new poet on the block.  Talks about a poem or a particular book could be interesting. Poetry is something that is dealt in privacy, that involves rereading and long pauses or maybe some sleeping over!!  The worst is literary meets. A writer must be read not met. I would rather prefer to meet a magician, some of these sleight of hand tricks are terrific.

One of the speaker mentioned Mythli Sharan Gupt being favourite of Gandhi, my antennas were up (one can easily conjecture that Gandhi had no poetic sense). The speaker who was introduced as veteran poet (a father like figure to some, I am not referring his name here since he doesn’t measure up) revealed something that had me straighten up and glimpse the degraded nature of Indian creativity, tethered as it is to the primitive framework. Gupt chose Yashodhara (wife of Buddha) as his protagonist of poem to bring out feminine angst. He couldn’t choose Sita since he was a devotee of Ram. This was revelation into the depraved nature of these people. Hence, Buddha was a fair game, putting that into social realities you realise the intent. As angst of Yashodhara was carefully hyperboled and interpretation herein further sought to contemporise the neglect (there was one woman speaker who tried to work out Yashodhara with gandhian disobendience!!, and woman’s emancipation so on…that she too was very much part of the primitive world was quite clear. These elite women therefore try to associate with international feminist angst and position for lick. That they are perpetrators of horrendous reality is conveniently hidden or presented with gandhian ease as ‘unity in diversity’). The old man even ventured further to point out that Yashodhara never converted to Buddhism “mujhe tumhare sharnam gachami se kuch nehi lena dena”. Our man’s fertile imagination conjured these lines to bring out his sarcasm, the impact of these to the contemporary reality is rather telling. He further ventured to assert that Buddhism did not contribute anything much to Indian society!

The Gandhi hugging old man (also moonwalking as revered poet, with ‘books of poems’…no wonder Indians rarely measure up to world standards or anywhere near subtleties of truth) is right in a way. Buddhism is too subtle and nuanced thought, the reason why it didn’t fit into the scheme of things. Buddha was never bothered about god, but squatter’s sought to create god out of him, an attempt was made to appropriate him as incarnation of "Lord Vishnu"!! As Kasturi&Sons will vouch a man has to be god to be able to interact with common people. "Lord Krishna" is an incarnation since he lived with common people and understood philosophies of life and so on. It needs a miracle. And since likes of Kasturi&Sons are not incarnations but representatives of higher scheme they needn’t mingle with common people. That needs a miracle. One fellow even tried experimenting with truth, he is henceforth mahatma!! Such depravity. It is not surprising that the best thoughts were evicted out by the devious squatters.  Best of thoughts (Buddhism) left Indian society, meanwhile percolated in the thoughts of great souls that continue to have space in lives of common people. The highly nuanced and enlightened framework of societies of east asia have definitive influence of Buddhism. The wonderful world’s haikus, zen and simplicity of being. The other day I was watching NHK channel (probably one of the best, and I really don’t expect Indian media to follow this. The cultural gaps are too wide!), a Buddhist monk of the temple told the lady over tea ceremony ‘to live like a single flower’. I found that amazing. This the squatter in the Indian (Hinduism, if you may) temple probably will never even be able decipher let alone utter. They will ofcourse have prescription on how to bring peace to the universe. This you will also see spilling out from the gudhi punds in the media. The all-encompassing universe and one’s grander illusions of ordained self.

Post script: the other day I was taking interviews for Civil service aspirants. A senior retired bureaucrat was the co panellist. He was also the board member at UPSC many times. He quite vehemently suggested everyone to read ‘Hindu’ newspaper and so on.  He asked this question to a candidate “What is Sanskritisation and who gave this theory?”. Having got the appropriate answer he was looking for, about ‘great MN Srinivas’, he ventured further to ask “What is de-sanskritisation?”. Not getting an answer he explained “When higher class people start behaving like lower class”, he guffawed and looked around for appreciation. I maintained a grievous face. Few decades back his ‘jokes’ would have resonated across the room. A general mirth would have instigated talks on ideas of India. Ditto, we are told is in danger now.        

Individual must come before religion

An enlightened state, that is based on values of liberty, hence democratic, should provide primacy to individuals. Whatever maybe the claim of society over individuals it really cannot have right over it. Individual, the human, his/her rights, the human right is paramount. It also means children, the most fragile member of the society, also have rights and it is duty of the State to protect these. It is being taken for granted that children are the property of parents or guardians, therefore have the right to indoctrinate with whatever they think is appropriate.  It maybe argued that parents have best interest therefore would be inculcating the best possible values. The realities in most cases is far from ideal, indeed families by extension societies are hotbeds of prejudices, biases and deviant norms established as traditions and argued as culture, sometimes these even percolate to wider society as benign nostalgia that needs protection. While the rightwing persuasions point to greatness of past, the liberal brethren too point to past as the ideal. The difference being the matter of timescale, for rightwing past is ancient, bordering mythical, wherein India’s greatness was legendary. It doesn’t really stand any scrutiny, although one may agree there were pockets of brilliance which is common in any society. Further, the idea of peninsula as cumulative society is absurd, even now societies within the region called India have wide and varied understandings that in many ways contradicts what is pushed as mainstream narration. Most significantly the society at large was entrapped within heinous squatter’s framework, as most people were marginalised and brutalised, it cannot by in any stretch of imagination signs of any great society, far from it this region was quite a primitive place to be in. The liberal brethren masquerading ideas of India seems to be hinged on recent past, I am not sure of the demarcation but there seems to be an attempt on idea of India. It is being claimed that this being violated. I am not sure what is being claimed and what is violated, it is made complicated -though it is quite clearly hinged to realities and trivialities of pretentious elite, hence if their fragile world is touched they cry foul. Hence the ideas of India we are told are crumbling. The reality being the so-called independence from colonial rule was nothing more than power transfer, the social systems and its intent remains primitive. Framework of apathy, manipulative brutal ways have seeped into every democratic institution. Insidious nature and camaraderie has helped elite section consolidate their gains, insisting garb of merit and competition. The trickle down, if ever, comes devalued and inopportune. This construction of reality of taking past as standpoint for goodness, whether its rightwing or miserable liberal, is questioned and is clear doesn’t stand the scrutiny. Egalitarian values generally emanates from awareness of contexts of common people -as they seek faith in whatever that could imagine as god and help ameliorate, hence secularism. Saints and seers gave values to compassion. These were constantly threatened by squatters as they seek to codify, subjugate and exploit. The present elite is the direct beneficiaries of these miseries, hence their claims of protecting values smacks of habitual hypocrisy. These status quoist beneficiaries of feudal realities have consistently scuttled land reforms or efforts to reforms inherited transactions. Their patronising attitude towards egalitarian efforts makes mockery of it. What makes it grievous is the attempt to represent and usurp compassion that is innate in society.            

It is therefore duty of the State to see that children are exposed to all kind of philosophies and religious thoughts. These should be mandatory, particularly in socalled religious minority schools. Children cannot be born into a religion, sect, ideology or section, they must be given choice to explore and choose whatever they desire. They are humans. That is the meaning of human rights, and that is what egalitarian State must strive and stand for. Religious rights are seen as absolute and sacrosanct these days, the pretentious elite encourages these to show themselves as agent of goodness, most significantly it also prevents primitive home truths. A child cannot be and should not be allowed to be indoctrinated. These narrow worldviews create prejudices, biases and violence. It gives space to obscurantism and dogmatic outlook, in the long run these cause much destruction. An education system can be religious or community based but it should have mandatory study on all religions and atheist worldviews. Religion cannot have right over children, hence create foot soldiers of misery.  State must intervene and prevent these human right violations. Individual must come before religions. There is something more fundamental than religion.  

Post script: depraved Kasturi&Sons aside, I am shocked that a man with views as primitive as Jayakanthan should even be considered for Jnanpith awards. It is also telling that of all his contributions Kasturi& Sons chose to highlight amazing nonsense, severely denting the writer’s credibility. They also sought to play mischief on iconic Periyar. Periyar deserves more than Bharat Ratna, wonder why Dravidian parties never insisted on this. What is more shocking is that these 'prestigious' literary awards don’t seem to be properly scrutinized or else only a particular section seems to be favored. It reflects their attitude and intent. What prevented Muhammad Basheer, one of the best known writer (indeed my all-time favorite) and great humanist, ever considered for these awards. It shows how trivial these people are.    

Incorrigible depravity, Indian media go back

   

This blogger seems to have bumped into the holy grail of amazing depravity entrenched into social framework and attitude herein something I had always suspected but couldn’t put the pulse on. It is too layered, and imagine if it is so hidden with complicated nuances that needs deliberate, sometimes intense, focus as also awareness of social realities, to decipher these crude world, then how are outsiders, particularly West, ever going to come anywhere near. The reason why Indian elites are having it so easy, pirouetting nonviolent concerns, hawking peace, piggyback riding Gandhi (man of the century, we are told) with charming, sometimes hilarious, ease. Positioning as representatives of society that exalts its wondrous ‘unity in diversity’ as entitlement. They are adept in their ways, the camaraderie is telling. 

   Where as the rightist elements in the elite are adept in taking high moral grounds their brethren show their visceral dislike by taking higher liberal grounds, tethered as they both are to squatter’s depravity and hypocrite home truth. This is an arduous task as they have firm control over narration as also seeped into popular idioms and equally entitlement driven progenies controlling the scene. The mediocrity of this society is astounding, India’s demographic dividend will very likely spread this nonviolent pus and gangrene the world, if preventive actions are not taken. I am now quite clear that wily exaggerated concerns for minorities, very narrowly defined to religion, with crude mullahs and elitist Christians, is to elicit compassion as valuable trait as also garner benefits herein. They prey on divisiveness and keep it alive. Casteism, and the incredibly primitive world it creates, therefore is valuable form of divisiveness that also seeks to define their entitlements. Amazingly this depravity is also sold as secular liberal values. For this very reason India is very well an Incredible India! It is a society of amazing primitiveness that has been packaged with compelling pointers as humanity’s saviour. An incredible hogwash.

I have everything against Kasthuri&Sons (there is no disclaimer), and they are only the tip of iceberg of pretentious mediocre elite who have been orchestrating nonsense in the garb of high concerns meanwhile quite viciously degrading society. Their appalling ways have been source of untold misery to common people, astoundingly they were able to work it out into liberal values and impress. Kasturi&Sons can easily be generalised, others to a large extend are too crass, the reason why I point to them. The high priest of Indian media, you may take that literally (surely that’s what they act and proudly stake claim), the entitlement driven fourth estate. As I write these the common people in Nepal, facing the worst of tragedies, have found time to ask Indian media to get out. That probably is the luxury we in India don’t have, we have to tolerate this disgraceful media, hooligans as conscious keepers. They milk the tragedy with amazing crassness, the one I witnessed in Haridwar (mentioned in the earlier blog) is the template that replicates. Clearly they work well in market environment and transactions. Meanwhile Mr. Ramdev, was caught pedaling ‘Putrajeevak’, literal translation means ‘producer of male child’. Obviously it is appalling, to make the matter worse he is the brand ambassador of a State (Haryana) that has the worst sex ratio, as also the region known for entrenched male chauvinism. Ramdev, instead of apologizing, went on the offensive.  It seems it is a Sanskrit word, hence god ordained sanction. Yoga is good for body but is not known to increase intelligence that needs an entirely different process, logic and understanding being critical. Reading scriptures (in Sanskrit) is not known to make one knowledgeable on worldly/relevant/contemporary matters. What is clear is Putra means male child, Putri means female child. So these products only consolidate heinous worldview and crude gender insensitiveness. Crap talk of justification doesn’t help, I am not giving too much social sensitivity to Mr. Ramdev, he seems too naïve and very much entrenched to traditional ways that is tutored. Also, we cannot ask for some product to be withdrawn and some people to mend while ‘liberal’ exuding market can have its primitiveness intact as choice. Kasturi&Sons don’t seem to have problem either. Don’t focus on semantics is their refrain, they don’t see the irony of the name. They cleverly understand that too much probing will very well lead the path to home truths. Nevertheless they seem concern of the effectiveness. Extending the logic I am concerned about effectiveness of all products that is peddled. I am very concerned about exploitative and racist products that degrade environment and society. Pointing to Mr.Ramdev is beginning of liberal classism. Nowhere in the world smoking could be studied from caste-religion divisions, Kasturi&Sons keenness on these divisions is legendary. Papa Kasturi must be contented man in his miserable grave. 

To probe further, last Sunday Kasturi&Sons were in true colours. A mediocre Tamil novelist Jayakanthan was the man in question. He is being sought to be compared with legendary revolutionary Periyar, every attempt is made to degrade Periyar this being latest. It is also an attempt to refurbish squatter’s view and camaraderie herewith.  The squatter columnist was in free flow. Incidentally some people defecate around railway tracks for lack of toilets, they are none too happy and show discomfort. But some happily defecate English words, sometimes long sentences (signs of too much garbage in the system), they call it columns, therefore columnists, these are sometimes also referred to as senior journalists. They look extremely satisfied with their daily defecation, they also get paid.  Then there are novelists whose defecations are legendary just that they quite skillfully skirt Indian realities. The depraved columnist at Kasthuri&Sons claims “An incident in a literary conference over half a century ago is etched in Tamil cultural memory. It’s a meeting in which two personalities laid bare the cultural fault lines in Tamil society.” Really Tamil cultural memory!! Tamil fault lines!! Or is it between the civilised and uncivilised. And goes on with his defection meant to salvage pride of squatters in best tradition of humbleness and Machiavellianism, meanwhile trivializing the struggles of common people from the horrendous reality for which likes of him and his masters (i.e. Kasturi&Sons) are very much responsible. “Periyar E.V. Ramasamy would have been the most unlikely candidate to inaugurate such a conference. But there he was! With over a half-century of selfless political work in the cause of political and social emancipation behind him, he still continued his relentless rationalist campaign despite being shy of 82. His subversive views on god and religion notwithstanding, Periyar’s challenge to the existing Brahmin-dominated order had won him much support even among the believers.” Even among believers?! It is assumed that squatters worldview is that of believers hence any challenge to this primitiveness is posited as challenge to faith. Clever, no wonder Kasturi&Sons saw some talent in this recruit.

“Periyar commenced his speech disavowing any literary credentials. He was no ezhuthalan (writer; the one who wields the pen), he insisted, but a karuthalan, one who dealt with ideas — a pregnant neologism coined for the moment. Delivered in the spoken register, shorn of rhetoric, it was a characteristic performance. His critique of caste, religion, Brahmins, god, and their baneful influence on Tamil language and writing was replete with proverbs and spiced with an earthy humour. Without burning the Puranas and epics, he asked, how was Tamil literature to flourish? Was it not the duty of writers to debunk such fanciful writing and lead the people on the path of reason?” Note even god doesn’t have capital letter! Amazing glimpse of worldly humbleness. Periyar’s disavowing of any literary credentials was deliberate snub at so called writers and artists who tend to take high ground on the basis of creative freedom, and in Indian reality as also in its mediocrity puts it in frame of shockingly absurd if not irresponsible.

“When he rose to speak, Jayakanthan clarified that he had no wish to contest Periyar. But considering that Periyar advocated reason as the touchstone of all thinking and action, and wanted to decimate the ancient wisdom of the Hindus, Jayakanthan declared that he too would employ reason to refute him. Invoking the great Siddha poet Sivavakkiyar, he argued that rationalism could follow not only the atheistic route but take recourse to belief as well. Drawing on pop anthropology, he provided a defence of Hindu Puranas. Rather than blame Brahmins for the ills of Tamil society, Jayakanthan defended the pristine and ancient varnashrama ordering of society, and argued that it was because Brahmins had failed in their duty that India had fallen to its present state! Finally, he declared that, as a writer, he would brook no instruction on what he should or should not write”. Note the emphasized words are that of the writer, ofcourse there is futile bid to elevate the mediocre novelist (clearly a man with such derogatory views shouldn't be even be considered for Jnanapith awards, it is unfortunate but then the list of highest awards is about high end camaraderie of mediocrity the reason why it is nowhere near any international standards) like Jayakanthan as some kind of titan. Obviously a much aware and civilized publication wouldn’t allow these kinds of primitiveness. These are little traditional ways Kasturi&Sons work out their little world, and yes this is 21^st century, and yes they also see themselves as guardians of worldly peace, and have strong views on how France should deal with crisis. The depravity of it all. Nepali people don’t know that Indian media is only a small fraction of Indian reality we face on daily basis that has been cannibalising common people for too long. In the meanwhile it’s time to be high on liberalism and preen in some classism.