As I watched the streaming video of the Republic Day Parade on a cold, snowy West Virginia night, there was a feeling of enormous pride and a surge of adrenaline in me. It happens every time I see this parade. A parade that marched India into its 60th year as a Republic! Exactly six decades ago, We the People Of India gave ourselves the longest written constitution of any sovereign nation in the world. 117,369 words, which secure all of us the fundamental human rights! Most important of them all - “Liberty of Thought, Expression, Belief, Faith and Worship”. The Ram Sene however, was determined not to let me stay too long with this feeling.
The nature and audacity of these recent moral policing molestations are a direct assault on the constitution itself. I could not agree more with Minister Renuka Chowdhary when she in a recent comment termed these attacks as “Talibanization of India”. It is so ironic that just a few days ago I read an article about Taliban imposing a ban on radio/music in public transport buses in some tribal areas of Pakistan – calling it ‘vulgar and obscene’. I read…I chuckled...and went on to do my sodoku…dismissing instantly even the slightest odds of anything like that happening in India-ever! Soon enough, I was reading about the Ram Sene incident. Ashamed and confused, I asked myself…could this really be happening? These moral policemen are out right threatening young unmarried couples not to step out of their houses on Valentines day…in a free country? Of course they claim that they will not take law into their hands while protesting against V-day and marrying off people by force; so completely oblivious that they in fact are challenging the supreme law of the nation – the constitution! So blinded are these men by their cynicism that they do not wish to take cognizance of the fact that they are violating people’s fundamental right of freedom under the pretext of moral policing.
As young responsible citizens it becomes quintessential for us to understand the premises for such violent overtures by these fundamentalists. One needs to delve a little deeper; perhaps even empathize with them if you will, to get to the bottom line of the problem. I believe that the reason for such aggressive cynicism mushrooms from a deep-rooted fear in the minds of these men. A fear of erosion of our values and culture! Have they forgotten that our rich culture has in fact endured innumerable invasions, aggressions and migrations? Our culture has emerged ever stronger and more diverse – adapting and absorbing anything that came its way! Yet, not losing its fundamental nature. At this point, I cannot help but think about this extraordinary TV commercial by Bajaj Auto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h8hrlbdEz4). It beautifully portrays an incredible blend of Indian culture and values with icons of modernization and western influence. This commercial uncannily captures every emotion, I wished to pen down as examples for my assertion above. I watched it again, now! In all honesty, a tear trickled down my cheek. So strongly imbibed are these values in all of us, that a modern day auto manufacturer chose to use these values to sell his product!
It is appreciable to some extent that political outfits like the BJP, Shiv Sena etc. strive to preserve our cultural heritage. (Undoubtedly, this is an important vote bank tactic). But, all this needs to be done in moderation. Definitely, not at the cost of shunning western culture. They need to reorganize their thinking machines. They should engage themselves in moral reminding rather than moral policing. There is a very thin line between the two. These men clearly need to see this line. I believe there is nothing wrong in taking pride in ones culture and “reminding” us all about our philosophy. Remember, it is their Liberty of Belief, which permits them to presume that perhaps Indian culture – is the way to be! But their liberty of belief cannot and should not come in the way of my liberty of expression in wearing western clothes or partying at a pub.
Let me bring you back to Taliban. They claim to act in the name of Islam. Is that really Islam? Of course not! Taliban’s actions are a purposeful misinterpretation of Islam. For example, one of the Ayah in the Qur’an [4:34] says that it is ok to beat your wife. Honestly, I was astonished to learn this. I've had a heart-to-heart discussion on this very issue with a close colleague of mine who is a Muslim. He explained to me that the holy book is very clear on this issue. It clearly says that a husband can beat his wife for a wrong doing with a light tap that leaves no mark. He explained, that this was probably more relevant to the olden times…times when men were married to very young girls. (We are talking about an age difference of nearly that between a father and a daughter). Now, if the little girl makes mischief and is reprimanded by this elder gentleman...it seems very reasonable. Just as reasonable as a parent scolding his child for doing something wrong! Now take this very learning from the Qu’ran and exaggerate it a thousand times…and BAM! There you go!...you just arrived at the Taliban version of Islam!
We need to think! Can our scriptures fall prey to such misinterpretations? Can these political outfits take advantage of the vulnerability of our traditions? Can we help them change their thinking process? The recent and the past acts of violence by these extremists are a harbinger to a serious problem. We need to be vigilant…We need to think!
Jai Hind
Nikhil Gogate
1:39 AM
10th Feb 2009
Beckley, WV
The nature and audacity of these recent moral policing molestations are a direct assault on the constitution itself. I could not agree more with Minister Renuka Chowdhary when she in a recent comment termed these attacks as “Talibanization of India”. It is so ironic that just a few days ago I read an article about Taliban imposing a ban on radio/music in public transport buses in some tribal areas of Pakistan – calling it ‘vulgar and obscene’. I read…I chuckled...and went on to do my sodoku…dismissing instantly even the slightest odds of anything like that happening in India-ever! Soon enough, I was reading about the Ram Sene incident. Ashamed and confused, I asked myself…could this really be happening? These moral policemen are out right threatening young unmarried couples not to step out of their houses on Valentines day…in a free country? Of course they claim that they will not take law into their hands while protesting against V-day and marrying off people by force; so completely oblivious that they in fact are challenging the supreme law of the nation – the constitution! So blinded are these men by their cynicism that they do not wish to take cognizance of the fact that they are violating people’s fundamental right of freedom under the pretext of moral policing.
As young responsible citizens it becomes quintessential for us to understand the premises for such violent overtures by these fundamentalists. One needs to delve a little deeper; perhaps even empathize with them if you will, to get to the bottom line of the problem. I believe that the reason for such aggressive cynicism mushrooms from a deep-rooted fear in the minds of these men. A fear of erosion of our values and culture! Have they forgotten that our rich culture has in fact endured innumerable invasions, aggressions and migrations? Our culture has emerged ever stronger and more diverse – adapting and absorbing anything that came its way! Yet, not losing its fundamental nature. At this point, I cannot help but think about this extraordinary TV commercial by Bajaj Auto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h8hrlbdEz4). It beautifully portrays an incredible blend of Indian culture and values with icons of modernization and western influence. This commercial uncannily captures every emotion, I wished to pen down as examples for my assertion above. I watched it again, now! In all honesty, a tear trickled down my cheek. So strongly imbibed are these values in all of us, that a modern day auto manufacturer chose to use these values to sell his product!
It is appreciable to some extent that political outfits like the BJP, Shiv Sena etc. strive to preserve our cultural heritage. (Undoubtedly, this is an important vote bank tactic). But, all this needs to be done in moderation. Definitely, not at the cost of shunning western culture. They need to reorganize their thinking machines. They should engage themselves in moral reminding rather than moral policing. There is a very thin line between the two. These men clearly need to see this line. I believe there is nothing wrong in taking pride in ones culture and “reminding” us all about our philosophy. Remember, it is their Liberty of Belief, which permits them to presume that perhaps Indian culture – is the way to be! But their liberty of belief cannot and should not come in the way of my liberty of expression in wearing western clothes or partying at a pub.
Let me bring you back to Taliban. They claim to act in the name of Islam. Is that really Islam? Of course not! Taliban’s actions are a purposeful misinterpretation of Islam. For example, one of the Ayah in the Qur’an [4:34] says that it is ok to beat your wife. Honestly, I was astonished to learn this. I've had a heart-to-heart discussion on this very issue with a close colleague of mine who is a Muslim. He explained to me that the holy book is very clear on this issue. It clearly says that a husband can beat his wife for a wrong doing with a light tap that leaves no mark. He explained, that this was probably more relevant to the olden times…times when men were married to very young girls. (We are talking about an age difference of nearly that between a father and a daughter). Now, if the little girl makes mischief and is reprimanded by this elder gentleman...it seems very reasonable. Just as reasonable as a parent scolding his child for doing something wrong! Now take this very learning from the Qu’ran and exaggerate it a thousand times…and BAM! There you go!...you just arrived at the Taliban version of Islam!
We need to think! Can our scriptures fall prey to such misinterpretations? Can these political outfits take advantage of the vulnerability of our traditions? Can we help them change their thinking process? The recent and the past acts of violence by these extremists are a harbinger to a serious problem. We need to be vigilant…We need to think!
Jai Hind
Nikhil Gogate
1:39 AM
10th Feb 2009
Beckley, WV
5 comments:
Great write, Gotya! Ditto your sentiments. Atleast, I now do not have to re-write this in my blog ;) I'll just redirect them to yours. The Bajaj ad indeed was a class act. And yes, Religion can either be the greatest boon or the worst evil, depending on how we (humans) use it.
Shailesh! Thanks for your comments :-). It is very satisfying for me to know...that I think like you :-)
When I first saw the mangalore incident video on the youtube I felt scared seeing what my india is turning into by these coward,illiterate,irresponsible,unhuman,psycho hindu extremist groups. Why is government not doing anything to stop these hindu extremist groups ? Why are they allowing MOB rule in my country ?
I stumble across your article on orkut. Good one. keep it up.
Addy, Thank so much for your appreciation!
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