It's not legal to love...

There is only one thing which has been under misuse. Extensively. The freedom to practise assorted rights. Quite common in India too, the gay rights, gay-rights-activism has grown by leaps and bounds, over the years. The advoactes of these so called 'sexual minority' and their rights have one thing in common. To obstruct the vehicular raffic. To show the strengths. But even they themselves don't knw what they are propagating! The same sex, gay sex, women to women sex etc...It sounds horrible and inhuman to think about these 'unnatuaral offences'.

Okay we accept. Human beings and their inclinations. They have bilogical urges. But what about the rules and regulations? Large chunk of world's population; the writers, intellectuals, academicians, musicians, teachers and doctors, whether they are atheists or believers, firmly believe that the animals have no set rules. The animals, they start it in the streets and bring to its logical end to the open. In between, they traverse distances. While they travel during their 'deed' the scen becomes quite unbearable to everyone. So where has the human values disappeared?

We as human beings never come out in the open. Has anyone the guts to do it in the open? The rights activists should better answer the question. The 2009 Delhi High Court judgement should be seen as a judicial pronouncemnt. Why these activists have generated so much of noise? It's ridiculous. On April 19 the apex court will decide its stand on the unnecesary brouhaha and the demand to repeal the IPC 377. We ask these rights groups what really ails them? The Indian social structure has been marred by many factors. By initiating the caus ethey have further damaged the social fabric. Is it necessary to grant sanction to is sexual minority? Or the society itself needs to be quarantined from them? the debates continues...

Han ji it's 2 G...

It's 2 G. The second generation scam. Superbly evolved, over the years. Even Mr Charles, not the Sobhraj fame, would have inferred from it. To support his popular evolution theory. No no. Don't misunderstand. The 2 G spectrum and its intricacies bear all the signs. Of evolution. But in this case they refer to the 2 G scam. Its evolution over the years. we hear that the scam indeed occurred during erstwhile NDA. The DNA of 2 G virus, it seems, has become resistant to the remedies. At this stage the probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation can be considered only as an effort to quarantine. Should not be taken as the inoculation. The parliament proceedings have too been contracted by the 2 G DNA. Orchestrated by the opposition led by NDA. What if the scam was exposed during NDA regime? Would the pandemonium been the same? Maybe. Because our political class has one characteristic in common. While in opposition, they have a pre-studied lesson. Someone might have taught these leaders. That, obstructing the parliament sessions will make them a leading name. In political circles. The more they gather into the well of the House the more they send their rivals to the hell. We hear that CBI has summoned Arun Shourie who lives in Lavasa. The upcoming state of the art township near Pune. Hope that it's not built on the art of staging the displacement, of the poor. The seeds of the scam were sown during the rains of NDA; still not proven. Mr Shourie has vindicated himself in an interview to Sunil Jain, opinions editor, The Financial Express. So what? It's a self written clean chit. CBI needs to unearth more. It needs to till the soil. Then the worms will come out. These worms have eaten into the ex chequer. The public money. The farmers' money. The poors' who live by roadside and construct huge high rises. Though they have survived the high rising prices which have crashed down on to them. COming back to Mr Shourie. He on various occasions our maybe he created those occasions to meet Manmohan Singh, our beloved prime minister. "Something is going wrong Mr Prime Minister" in the words of Shourie. Then nothing happens. The worms indulge in their under ground play. Then Mr Shourie buzzes Ashwani Kumar. The hell breaks loose here. In India whistle blowers are silenced. Not the ones who wreak havoc on the girls on the roads. But the government real servants who against the traditional jeevo aur khane do mantra. And end up in graves or on pyres. So is Mr Shourie a whistle blower? CBI has better tools. Even the sleepless nights are missing from the scene. Look at Raja when he is being taken to and from court? A look at Shahid Balwa will outrage common men. So what ails the country? The criminal justice system? it may not be the only reason. The causes are various. Poiticisation of each and every issue is ailing the country. Opposition and the rulers should realise. It takes centuries to win the rat race. So why have you been running with rats? Who tresspass the kitchen in the dark of the night? Keep away the rats from the country's kitchens to thwart the whisking away of the breads. Or place bets and capture these rats into cages...

Who says love seeks no religion? I say politicians practise no religion!

It was another gloomy afternoon. Like many other journalists in Malegaon, I too took out a pen after a painful four hour wait. Yes we were waiting for the Maharashtra Congress chief's advent. Fed up of utter faithfulness displayed by the Congress workers; I write this because everyone who came to address the "bearing" crowd talked about the possible, timely arrival of none other but our Manikrao Thakre. The crowds would have been hired on a meagre amount to decorate the occassion too started emanating dismay, though was not visible as they had to prove their loyalty. Finally the wait was over. Surprisingly all the speeches were bouncing over my head as I had to rush for my lunch too. As, was deprived of food for nearly six hours. Finally our beloved neta was there in khadi and black jacket and with the paraphernalia a politician carries wherever he embarks. Surrounded by fans and followers our neta (leader) was escorted to the dice.; where huge garlands, I don't know on what expenditure they bought them, were waiting to be honoured. At last our leader was ready to speak. As Salamu Alaikum. These greetings purely Islamic in nature crashed to my ears crushing my hearing abilities. I was awed. Shocked. In hibernation. As to why a leader needs to say salaam when he addresses a Muslim locality or bunch of followers. I took out my pen again. By this time my painful ordeal was over; particularly after hearing As Salamu Alaikum. As I started to pen down our neta's speech, not the verbatim, a thought bumped into my head. Does love seek no religion? I said no. As our nets practise no religion.

Look who is feeling sorry?

Imparting a moral education to his nephew Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar has tried to pacify the anger expressed by media over the the former's daredevil demand to banish the media. Ironically, for Pawar senior, it took another political function held in Kolhapur to realise how goofed up he was when he stated that "one should take care while speaking to media". What prompted the union agricultural minister to execute a roll back in his previous statement, but media is a watchdog. It's a fourth state. So why quarrel with it? As a journalist I feel Maharashtra's deputy chief minister went overboard while addressing a gathering uttered in favour of banning some "stray" media persons.

Of elections, rabble rousing and floor crossing!

Five forty five is the number of total elected members of parliament in India. This number partly seals the fate of over a billion people when it comes to handling country’s policy framework. As, these “legislators” vote on important issues and help formulate legislations, it becomes incumbent upon the “legislators” to act sensibly. This sensible demonstration of democratic values is rarely seen in India’s Houses.

In a democratic set up, it is really a matter of great pride that these elected representatives are called as legislators. One cannot say for sure how many of them understand the meaning of a legislator or a legislative body. But many of them understand what politics is. And what it takes to be a great politician. They do not know that a constructive politics is different from rabble rousing.

Elections bring back our politicians at the door of the common man, at least every five years. India’s 60 years’ history is the witness to the elections experiencing a massive change. Her electorate has also undergone a sea change. Advent of Electronic Voting Machine has added to the number of rural electorate turning up at the booths.

Don’t compare the lure of the gadget with the profile of the candidate. The ideals of Nehru and Gandhi have gradually disappeared from the poll arena. People are meant to exercise their franchise to lead the country indirectly. They are supposed to vote to “lead”. But in India voters are “led” to vote.

Gone are the days when India had good parliamentarians who had a sense of their surroundings; in this case the floor of the Houses. At least they knew the sanctity of the House which does not lie in creating unnecessary pandemonium. It is hidden in the maturity of the members who vote sanely on matters that come up for discussion.

Anything uttered or rather to say “shouted” inside the House cannot be subject to any arraignment. Our “legislators” exploit this particular Constitutional mandate with impunity. The narrative does not end. And so do the delinquencies of our demagogues.

Come April and we will witness another spell of mud slinging. The Chief Election Commission (CEC) has announced the phases of the 2009 General Elections, scheduled in the same month. What makes this election so special? Elections apart, the Commission (CEC) itself is in the limelight. It has triggered a constitutional debate.

The announcement of the dates by the Commission imposes the code of conduct. The contravention of the code of conduct may lead to rejection of the candidature. But the elections in India have proved that wrong. It is the time the codes are put in effect that our “demagogues” start attacking their rivals. They use their “demagogic” skills to disguise their denigrating utterances.

Floor crossing and horse trading prevent a government from falling. This “characteristic” undemocratic exercise also protects the public money, not peoples’ money, from being spent on another election. Remember, in India a General Election costs millions of rupees and requires deployment of additional forces.

During the famous Jharkhan Mukti Morcha (JMM) bribery case this floor crossing prevented the collapse of the Rao government. The term floor crossing is a euphemism for defection, as defection is considered as something near to a rebellion. A similar incidence saved the Manmohan Singh government.

Opinions and equations change in a political set up like India. As the popular saying goes, there are no permanent foes and friends in India’s politics. Take for example the Samajadi Party (SP) which has its stranglehold in Uttar Pradesh. During the ‘political crisis’ over the Indo-US nuke deal the SP parted ways with the Left and cemented Congress (INC) position. SP’s segregation dashed the hope of a robust Third Front which the Left was trying to build up.

It is very hard to believe but the politicians in India have become like ‘jugglers’ who pretend to amuse the audience with their magic deeds. Kalyan Singh was recently spotted in the Mulayam Singh camp. It does not make any sense when one hears Mulayam speaking about Babri demolition. Ridiculously, Kalyan himself was present when Mulayam held the former responsible for the demolition of Babri Masjid.

The upcoming General Elections will see many more switching their loyalties. The post 26/11 electorate seems to be angry. If our political class does not take corrective measures then the same electorate will boycott the elections, a threat they expressed en masse at the Gateway of India.

Can Ulema Express Derail Congress’s Poll Prospects?

Events prior to any election change peoples’ opinions. Opinions influence peoples’ minds. Minds control the fingers that press the buttons in an Electronic Voting Machine. A slight change in these opinions gives governments sleepless nights.

The Thursday’s protest at Jantar Matar can not be termed as an ordinary event. Muslim youth who had arrived by Ulema Express from Uttar Pradesh were gathered at Jantar Mantar. They were dismayed with the Congress and its policies towards Muslims.

The harassment of Muslim youth from Azamgarh at the hands of security agencies occupied the central place at the protest. Though the Congress does not rule the state, it has done very little at the Centre to do away with the problems that the community faces.

Muslims have always looked forward to the Congress leadership to get their demands met. The ongoing campaign that stereotypes Muslims also came under strict criticism of Ulema Council.

The Ulema Council which had organized the protest has announced to field its own candidates from Azamgarh and Lalganj in the upcoming general elections. One doesn’t know how it is going to change the equations. The reasons for singling out these places were obvious. Most of the Muslim youth were picked up in large numbers for questioning from these places.

The Council also hinted to support the Third Front, which still has to make its presence felt. The Third Front has failed to make in roads. To make things worse, the Third Front has seen a division among its own cadre. Such splits have always benefited the Congress and prevented the emergence of a strong replacement of Congress on the horizon of national politics.

It can hardly be believed that the two Ulema Council candidates, even if elected to Lok Sabha, can change the equations. But in the time of horse trading and floor crossing nothing seems to be impossible. Coalition politics also makes that easier.

The Council also indicated that the Congress is fooling Muslims to achieve political supremacy over its rivals, which somewhat turns out to be true. Many in the embattled community think the only thing the Congress has given Muslims in abundance is the enquiry commissions.

The party also plays the fear card. “The Congress has been making a fool of the Muslim community by constantly raising the bogey of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other communal forces," said Maulana Amir Rashadi, the chairman of the Ulema Council.

The Congress’s so called ‘minority appeasement’ policy neither goes down well with the communal forces nor produces any results.

The decision taken by the Ulema Council may not be productive in short term. But in long terms it can affect the Congress’s poll prospects. The land slide victory of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has already reduced Congress’s numbers in the state.

The coming together of Kalyan Singh and Mulayam Singh Yadav will eat into both the Congress’s and the BSP’s vote bank.

The Jantar Mantar could be the destination of the Ulema Express but the message that it carries does not have one particular destination. It will change peoples’ perceptions and change itself brings a change with it.

Politicians' Apathy Is Terrorism's Victory

On December 3, citizens in Mumbai came out on streets in huge numbers to show their solidarity as well as to vent their anger. The solidarity was for the brave who endured the 60-hour-long siege in Mumbai and who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation. The anger was, probably as usual, for the politicians. People were angry with the “political class” and the way it handled the drama that followed the Mumbai attacks. In hushed up tones, a war of words, passing the buck and mud slinging started among these so called “constituents of governments”. This degraded the importance of the unmatchable show of courage enacted by our soldiers who fought till their last breath.

The December 3 thronging of the “ground-zero” by people in Mumbai was not an ordinary protest. It was a mental “volcano” that erupted after a high pressure developed in peoples’ psyche. It was a movement against the incompetence of the government which has failed to protect its citizens. The young, men and women had gathered around Gateway of India and were holding placards that censured the “political class”. Many of them carried the candles for performing the candle light vigil. Ironically the word “vigil” is the pivotal point on which the sphere of the ongoing conflict is revolving.
Peoples’ movements break out due to step motherly treatment meted out to their grievances. Such unheard off complaints evoke a feeling of hatred among the masses. People feel being pushed to the corner. With a desire to reoccupy their lost space in the centre, they mobilize themselves to salvage their belongings; in this case their common cause. These endeavors produce results that tilt masses either to the right or to the left of the centre.

The worst scenario emerges when the overlooked grievances take ugly turn and undergo a deadly transition. It is the point where movements don the attire of rebellion. Rebellions occur as people feel that they are being denied their share of “space” or their grievances are not resolved in “time”. Time and space are not merely concepts; they are phenomena, which effect change; a transition.

During the extraordinary demonstration of December 3, people shouted anti-government and anti-Pakistan slogans; an act justifiable in its every aspect. The harshness of slogans determines the extent of peoples’ involvement in any given conflict. The degree of protestors’ anger can be judged by having an understanding of what they wanted to communicate through these slogans. They shouted against Pakistan. They vented their anger on governments’ apathy and inability to curb terrorism. Democratic process of election came at demonstrators’ receiving end. They hinted to boycott elections and threatened that they will abstain from voting and will not pay taxes.

The fallout of 26/11 did cost India’s home minister Shivraj Patil his chair and has opened a Pandora’ Box for the political class. As, the “ground zero” was the capital of Maharashtra, it affected the political equations in the state drastically. Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and his deputy R R Patil were forced to resign from their posts. If anyone has followed the media coverage of 26/11 and the “political drama” that followed it, can without hesitation say how apathetic our political class has become.

People always embrace the shift in power with open arms provided it is done with the intention of benefiting the common man. The ouster of Vilasrao Deshmukh and R R Patil in Maharashtra has triggered a tug of war among the frontrunners for the “coveted” posts. It has kick-started another rat race in the political arena. The lust for chair has made them mute, blind and deaf. These politicians have forgotten what had happened only a few weeks ago.

Four shameful incidents occurred after the deadly 60-hour-long siege was over. These incidents have put a big question mark on the credibility of our politicians. Interestingly out of three, two did forc the “high commands” to strip Deshmukh and his deputy Patil from their portfolios.

1) After the siege was over, Deshmukh escorted by an entourage of officials visited the Taj. It would have been another ordinary official visit if his “touring” convoy did not have his actor son Ritesh Deshmukh and filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma.

It is not surprising that with what purpose a filmmaker like Ram Gopal Varma would visit a “ground zero”. The visuals showing Ram Gopal Varma and Ritesh Deshmukh and the manner they walked through the debris make their purpose crystal clear. The question that needs to be answered is why such extraneous people were allowed to visit the “ground zero” when even the elected representatives were barred from entering the Taj?

2) Deputy chief minister R R Patil did not lag behind from his political superior. In a press conference he went on to say about 26/11 that “such small things happen in big cities.” What followed is the history. People don’t need an explanation. The need of the hour is that our politicians had woken up to the reality and reformed themselves to reform the nation.

3) Ashok Chavan replaced Vilasrao Deshmukh as chief minister of Maharashtra. Congress high commnad’s decision of appointing Chavan as the state legislature party head did not go down well with a former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane who had earlier defected from Shiv Sena and joined Congress.

On December 5 he convened a press conference and used derogatory language against Ashok Chavan. Rane said, “Ashok Chavan mera spardhak hai kya?” Is Ashok Chavan my competitor? He went on to say that the only criterion he (Ashok Chavan) has is that he is “son” of fromer chief minister Shankarrao Chavan.

4) Kerala chief minister V S Achutanandan wanted to pay homage to the “martyr” major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who gave his life to save the nation during 26/11 operations. He visited Unnikrishnan’s family but was not allowed to enter his house. The incident outraged Achutanandan to such an extent that he said to a TV channel, “If Unnikirshnan not in the Army and did not sacrifice his life, even a dog would not have liked to visit his house.”

This is the mentality of our politicians who instead of running the state are threatening its existence by eroding its foundations through their unacceptable deeds. Isn’t it the time of indulging in constructive politics? When will our politicians play a uniting role to disunite the destructive powers? It does not seem possible in near future.

December 3 demonstrations may provoke peoples’ minds. The government should not take this unique development for granted. What was only an ordinary protest can distract peoples’ psyche. They may opt for retaliatory actions. The situation arising as a result of such retaliatory actions will not do any good for the nation. What is needed to be done is a thorough overhauling of our “political system”. Instead of finding scapegoats we should find the real causes behind our inability to tackle terrorism.

Tackling the outer enemy is much easier than the inner one. Incidents like December 3 demonstration can have huge repercussions; preventing that will be tantamount to bringing the Sun from the west. Only a sincere and concerted effort can be a solution to the menace. Those sitting at the power corridors should make it sure that December 3 does not turn into a rebellion.

Banish the 'Deshdrohi'

Finally ‘Deshdrohi’ has been banned. For another two months. Thanks heavens!! It is applicable only in Maharashtra. Those who are curious to watch it can migrate to other states. This ‘migration’ is the ‘crux’ of the film. And the crux of the current violence over ‘north Indian’ issue. No wonder it may become the poll plank in the upcoming general elections.

The ban comes after the Home department had a special hearing held on Thursday. The makers of the film, it seems, will again rush to the Bombay High Court.

So what is objectionable there in the film? Anyone who has watched the promos can make a good sense. In a scene the ‘protagonist’ is seen being pushed in a BEST bus by the conductor. Another scene has both protagonist and few local politicians; argue over his origins. Played by Kamal Khan, the young graduate has moved to Mumbai to make a living. Somehow he entangles himself in the brawl of regionalism.

Current ‘provocative’ atmosphere especially in Mumbai forced the authorities to stall its release. Maharashtra police under Bombay Cinema Regulation Act 1963 had recommended a ban on ‘Deshdrohi’.
And the Congress-NCP ruling combine grabbed the chance. It gave a green signal for the ban.

Reasons cited sound justified. ‘Deshdrohi’ can incite communal tensions. It may have added oil to the flame. Quite right! But who is responsible for the highly volatile situation? And who is ‘Deshdrohi’.

Past few years are witness to a new emerging trend. Throw away the ‘poor’ migrant workers who are ‘Bhayyas’ says the campaign. They don’t speak Marathi. It doesn’t sound a good reason to extern them. It’s an act of insanity perpetrated by the insane. It’s not astounding: A sane attacked weirdly by an insane.

Indian Constitution guarantees the Fundamental Right to Life under Article 21. Right to Livelihood is enshrined in it. Offensive against the north Indians is akin to stripping them of these Rights. It is tantamount to ‘contempt’ of Constitution.

Judiciaries act as the traditional ‘ombudsmen’ to upheld the Constitutional provisions. These are Constitutional institutions. One’s contempt may lead to the contempt of the other.

Thousands of north-Indians have preferred their lives to their livelihood. They have fled to their homes. Anti migrant violence has received more publicity than ire. People fed up with ‘Saas Bahu Serials’ were found glued to the TV. They had found a new entertainment. The cutting of a birthday cake with ‘Bhayya’ written on it added ‘spice’ to the newly arrived opera.

Raj Thackeray and his lumpen were at the forefront of the anti north Indian agitation. It saw large scale destruction of public and private properties. Months of uncertainty led to ideological marginalization. His subsequent arrest did not yield much.

So who is ‘Deshdrohi’? Should it be banned? The answer is simple. Yes. Recently Bombay High Court in its ruling had called Raj Thackeray as an “urban terrorist”. A terrorist is a parson who wages a war against the nation. He kills innocents and is the ‘Deshdrohi’. In history of Indian polity, a judiciary never pronounced such censures on a political leader.

The legacy of hatred has many manifestations. Anti-South Indian and anti-Gujarati movements were turned into an anti-Muslim one in late 80s. The ‘bow and arrow’ was pointed towards Muslims. Its fallouts were huge. The hatred reached its zenith during post-Babri riots and 1993 serial blasts. Gradually the derogatory remarks against Muslims became poll plank.

The idea of propelling these ‘Bhayyas’ is not new. Only a new breed of hate mongers is pushing it ahead. ‘Bhayya Haath Paaye Pasari’, is a Marathi play that is also at the receiving end. Those who find it derogatory and offensive have demanded a ban.

The fallout of the probe into the September 29 Malegaon blast has started a new debate. Can a Hindu ever be a terrorist? The right wing Hindu outfits have decried the notion vociferously. All saffron outfits have taken up the cudgels on behalf of the accused.

Unless proved guilty, an accused is innocent. After convicted he becomes a perpetrator, an accomplice in the crime. Accused in Malegaon blast have given a new dimension to the investigations in terror acts. It has shifted the focus.
The trial will determine their culpability. If proved guilty they will become terrorists. Like many who were held guilty under TADA in 1993 serial blasts case.
So whoever the ‘Deshdrohi’ are and whatever are their intensions, the governments need stringent acts and actions to deal with them.
For putting an end the turmoil, banning a film would not be sufficient. Government should banish the real ‘Deshdrohi.’

Terror Has No Religion, But Who Believes?

Terror has no religion. It is a face with no certain identity. A terrorist understands only one language, the language of hatred and bloodshed. Through out the world a terrorist is a terrorist and a criminal is a criminal. It is widely held notion, which is approved by majority of people. Judiciaries do not base the religion to pronounce their judgements. It is the degree of offence or the seriousness of act of "terror" that determie the culpability. But a few have moulded the term "terrorist" or "terrorism" for their own set targets. Be it a propaganda against a particular community or a trial by media, everybody almost starts believing in what is aired, printed or is talk of the town. It is a universal fact that people believe in what they are unstoppingly fed, no matter what is fed or shown to them is based on facts or hoax. Except a few, nobody sees a terrorist either as a Muslim, a Hindu, a Christian or as a Sikh. India is the only country where terrorists hail almost from every big religion. The 1980s Khalsa movement revolved mainly around the secessionist demands of Sikhs. They wanted a land of their own. In north eastern Indian states some Christians are allegedly found to be involved in anti national activities. The central provinces of the country are battling with the naxalite movement. This movement is infested with Left-tilting ideology of the Maoists or the Peoples' War Group. The insurgency in Kashmir has seen Muslim terrorists, who mainly come from across the LoC. Recently the role of a few alleged Hindu millitants in Malegaon blast is being probed. A sadhvi with her accomplices allegedly planned the September 29 Malegaon blast. Reams of papers will end but the debate will continue. But who believes in the notion that a terrorist has no religion? Before that we take a sneak peak into the entire episode. What is terrorism? When innocents civillians become target of a deviated few who believe in the doctrine of bloodletting, the resultant scenario that leads to death and destruction of civillian population is the act of "terrorism". Unfortunately only bomb explosions are seen as acts of terror. In India since Independence huge number of people have been butchered in the name of religion. Only the modus operandi was different, but the outcome was the same, annihilation of the targeted innocent people. The past few decades or so have seen Muslims being branded as "terrorists". How can the entire community be held responsible for deviations of a few. Similarly all the Hindus can not be held liable for the crimes of a few of their co-religionists. Despite that a large chunk of India's populace still upholds the secular values of her forefathers. Nobody comes for the rescue of the Muslim community when it is branded as the cultivator of outlaws. In contrast, the arrests in Malegaon blast has created unrest in pro-Hindutva groups. Indiviuals and organisations have openly supported the arrested accused. Two incidents changed peoples' perceptions to some extent. America, for the first time in history, elected an African-American as her first "black" president and Jamiat-ul-Ulema E Hind, in its 29 general session in Hyderabad on November 8-9, adopted a resolution that condemned terrorism. While the first changed the way people saw to America, the second is expected to revive hopes of Indian Muslims. The hopes that seek tranquility are reasons to to be optimistic. Jaimat-ul-Ulema-e-Hind and its general secretary, Maulana Mahmood Mdani, who happens to be a Rajya Sabha MP, will be remebered for their courageous initiatives. This time for the audacious effort they have put in passing a resolution at its 29 Hyderabad session. More than 6,000 delegates attended the conference. Mahmood Madani made a statement on November 8 on the organisation's opening session in Hyderabad. There is nothing new in his statement which we may celebrate. His speech echoed with what pepole usually opine after every terror strike. "We should not link terrorism to religion". This is what he meant. And this is what Jamiat adoptd in its resolution. He was speaking on the backdrop of the arrests made in September 9 Malegaon blasts. A few may find it only as an ordinary statement delivered from dais of a religious congregation, but those who seek solutions to problems, it has huge ramifications. No political leader did have the same courrage as Madani did. He condemned the current ongoing "campaign" that brands Pragnya Singh Thakur as a "Hindu" terrorist. The right wing outfits are exception to it. As, it is quite natural for them to defend Pragnya and her accomplices, they have scome in full support of her. These right wing outfits can never even imagine of doing what Jamiat and Mahmod Madani have done. Resolution apart, they would never say a word against the alleged imjustice. Recently L K Advani spoke of media sensationalism. He appealed to media not to sensationalise the news. The silence of other political parties is deafening. They should also have denounced the "campaign" that brands people on grounds of religion. We do not want either to take sides or point fingers at others. Neither is our intention to support any act of violence. The bone of contention is that people should avoid rhetoric. A conceretd effrot to tackle the menace is the need of the hour. Instead of delivering statements, we should deliver results. Jamiat and Madani wanted Pragnya not branded as a "Hindu" terrorsit. A very few aslo did the same. People say terror has no religion. Now, it is not hard to say who pratices it. But who believes in the notion? It does not need to be answered.

Mautam---A phenomenon that jeopardises existence

Resentment leads to discontent. Discontent transforms into rebellious endeavours when people feel neglected. Mizo National Front was formed to get the attention of indifferent regime that overlooked their apprehensions about Mautam. In this far flung north eastern Indian state of Mizoram, Mautam occurs every fifty years. Mautam is a natural cycle that accelerates the flowering of bamboo 'crops.' This means flowers blossom on 'bamboo' crops. During flowering, hordes of rats swoop on them to quench their natural desire of 'hunger'. These rats feed on them. Acres of this 'bamboo' farmlands are destroyed as a result of flowering. As collateral damage these rats leave behind them the most dreaded farm-crop diseases. Plague is one of them. Due to this unique phenomenon, deteriorated by plague of farmlands, acres of famcrop lands are destroyed. In Mizoram 'bamboo' and its resultant economic activities are the mainstay of the Mizos. People not only built their houses but they also indulge in handicrafts utilising the abundance of bamboo. Last time flowering happened in 1958. Owing to the government's failure to stop Mautam, the great famine engulfed larger section of population. The entire state came under the threat of starvation, displacement because of unavailability of food. The present day Mizo National Front occupies the central position in the state politics. Its ruling the state. Famines and natural disasters are national calamities. National calamities are not the domains of states governments only. In tandem with the Centre any state at the receiving end of the natural calamity tries to deal with the crisis. But in case of Mautam---a joint mechanism is the need of the hour. A joint venture of between the Centre and Mizoram could produce good results. Initially the apprehensions of the Mizos were mocked and the whole episode was downplayed. The fears were termed only as unreliable superstitions. A man from the region states that he saw eight hundred to one thousand rats. These rats swarm to feed on the blossomed bamboo farms, do not differentiate fields and houses. The measures taken to avert the crisis are not sophisticated. Manual capturing of rats is the only way to lessen the damage. A few of the farmers sprinkle poisons across farms. some paddy fields are also affected because of the peak season. In peak season paddy fields throw the produce out.  First Mautam occurred in 1911. Mautam tells two stories. One shows the ingenuity of the rodents. They attack the fields in groups of hundreds and thousands. The other exposes the indifference of the regimes that consist of homo sapiens. One time guerilla fighter the present chief minister may be occupying the powerful seat, but there exists no concrete effort to do away with the menace. A land of guerillas or millitary-men has failed to win the war against rats.  It is difficult to say that how the locals deal with the problems, but the need of the hour is to curb the phenomenon----that jeopardises the existence.

Advani Speaks Again.......

Pandemonium follows rhetoric. They go in tandem in a democratic set up. The whole idea is borrowed from the day to day proceedings in the legislatures. Here unanimity or absolute majority determine the fate of a 'bill' or a 'government'. Similarly a 'pandemonium' is seen as the only tool to express one's ability to raise a point. The more louder it is, the more are the chances to be recognised as a 'good' legislature. Rhetoric is nothing but an evolved method to spread the word, a 'microphone' exploited by the rabble-rousers. Advani, whose rallys pull huge crowds, has spoken again. This time he disowned Sadhvi Pragya Singh. She is alleged to have "masterminded" the September 29 Malegaon blast. He said that if any one from "Sangh outfit" found guilty of any crime that person should be brought to book. There is nothing to celebrate in his new statement. The country's ex-deputy prime minister's words echo with what a lay man can perceive of "trial procedures" in India. Any one who is under trial can not be branded as a convict. Honourable Courts determine the degree of complicity of the undertrial. Advani said the same things. But this time he do not have to relinquish any "office", as he has not commented on Jinnah and his level of secularism. It is very hard to evaluate one's level of secularism through interpretation of one's speech. Atal Bihari Vajpayee is said to have been gone back on his statements a number of times. That makes "evaluation" more complicated. Jinnah speech throwed Advani into the troubled waters. He was made to resign from the presidentship of BJP. It was him who had nurtured the party with his 'rath' yatras. Yatra "a pure religious concept" was modified to fit it into the political mould. Here the "rhetoric" in the form of 'yatra' misused the religion. End result increased the number of elected-BJP MPs and widened the chasm between communities. Everytime Advani speaks, it becomes hard to understand what he says. Same is the efficacy of most of our great crowd pullers in political arena. But when Advani speaks it has huge repercussions. And this time he speaks to bring the "terror accused" to book if found guilty.

A youth, prejudice and inquiry!

Probe and prejudice are incompatible. An impartial probe is devoid of any influences. A prejudice is pure from all the secualr values. Take Rizwanur Rahman's case as an example. An impartial but "delayed" process of digging out the truth is underway. The recent police action tells a different story. What transpired in the run up to the alleged suicide of this computer graphic-techie needs to be uncovered. A trial expedited as a result of widespread protests across the City of Joy does not seem reaching its logical end. Recent raids on the house of undergarment-tycoon Ashok Todi have revived the hope of justice. A mere death of an individual snowballed into a controversy. Death and controversy are two different things. Deaths are mourned and controversies orchestrated, not in all cases. The resultant controversy over Rizwan's death did cost a police commissioner his post and a newly-wed woman her husband. State government had to clarify its stand. Youth contribute in upsurge of a nation. This youth cleared the decks himself to invite his own death. Why hate wins over the love is a riddle. Both Rizwan and Priyanka adored each other against all odds. The odds were the caste, not the religoon. On a show aired on NDTV hosted by Barkha Dut last year, a Marwari from Kolkata defended the actions taken by Ashok Todi. Reason-----the caste. "Any Marwari could have done the same what Ashok Todi did in Priyanka's case." Central Bureau of Investigation has so far put two officers of the rank of an SP under trial. It may take months to prove the charges and send the "convicted accused" behind bars. CBI is considred an impartial investigative agency. It does not practise prejudice, it is widely perceived. We hear that progress it has made in Rizwan's "mysterious suicide" is a ray of hope for his bereaved family. Both Rizwan and Priyanka were taken for a ride. With a promise to return her to Rizwan within a week, Priyanka's uncle escorted her to her parents house. This was the point people changed their faces and things became obscure. Within a month the "youth" was found dead under "mysterious circumstances". His corspe lying by a raliway track was enough to establish that it was a "suicide". So a fair inquiry would determine the culpability of the accused. And the judgement will mete out justice to the youth.

The Seed of Hatred Grows Into A Tree

A north Indian, another Raj has added ‘spark’ to the violence over the presence of north Indians in Maharshtra. Rahul Raj's act has further complicated the issue. Nobody knows with what intentions he came to Mumbai with a gun. Media reports say he arrived in Mumbai to deliver a message to MNS chief Raj Thackeray. One thing is clear that alone he could not deliver a body blow either to MNS or to its chief. All the demonstrations over the North Indians find no popular base to support them. The MNS or its followers still grope in the dark. Their demands are confined only to their core circle which believes in hatred. Ironically these north Indians live on the morsel they earn by putting unmatchable labour. In terms of the daily wage earnings, they constitute the large chunk of the working labours in the city. The daily requirements of Mumbai's over 17 million people, are catered to by these north Indians. So does the word 'Raj', in English which means 'rule' or 'government' or 'Satta' in Hindi, is really attached to troubles or bloodletting? Obviously it is not. It means a 'Constitutional' way to preside over a government came after a democratic procedure, election. It does not mean paralysing the day-to-day life? Everyone knows that power in politics never comes through legitimate means, not in all cases. There are a very few examples that adhere to the Constitutional edicts. Right from the booth capturing to poll-rigging, almost all outlawed activities occupy the front seat in a show called as 'elections'. However many have turned this ‘show’ of democracy into a ‘show’ of strength. However mostly these 'shows' have received poor responses. It does not mean that only the poor exercises the right to vote. Nothing is new to the MNS chief's anti-north India campaign. Needless to say, it is a campaign started against Indians. A campaign by the so called "sons of the soil" started against the 'other'. It was the result of this hate campaign against the north Indians that a youth from Bihar took to the violence. It’s like a retaliatory attempt on the part of the people at the receiving end. The ‘other’ Raj could not implement his plans. The incidence must have given sleepless nights to officials. This is what we feel about the authorities. If it is not the case then nobody knows where it will lead us. Rahul sorry Rahul 'Raj' from Bihar who managed to acquire a gun almost hijacked a bus running on route no 332. The bus that runs between SAKINAKA and ANDHERI must have been transporting huge number of people. It is necessary to mention the huge crowd. They can be the witness to the incidence, to the hatred that has seeped into peoples' mind. However, it was not unexpectable. Rahul who held the conductor of the bus (route no 332) hostage on gun point was shot dead by the police in Bailbazaar. It is matter of concern for the governments, Centre, Right or Left, to sit over the problem. This way they can pinpoint the aching points. The pain of hatred is slowly creeping into the whole body. Recently Bihar saw some counter protests. A Few of the enraged by the incidence over the exams in Mumbai took to the streets. They demonstrated against the atrocities meted out to the north Indians in Maharashtra. They protested the vandalisation of an exam centre by the activists of MNS led by Raj Thackeray. A decent number of north Indians appeared for the exam which is what 'coerced' the MNS members to go on rampage. Obviously it can never be justified. Till the time of writing this article two things have already happened. It doesn't matter whether they will yield results or not. Raj Thackeray has finally been arrested from a remote location in Konkan. Many think that his popularity has soared, a notion which sounds quite much true. The other is that prime minister Manmohan Singh has talked to chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh over the volatile situation in Mumbai. The premier has demanded an assurance from the CM. Our CM has responded enthusiastically by announcing a high level inquiry. Chief Secretary Johny Joseph has been assigned with the task to look into the episode. What will come out is the matter of time. But the truth is that the seeds of hatred sown by MNS have grown into a tree and started shedding the fruits.

Another Crisis Averted

The Congress-led UPA survived the August 22 no trust vote brought by the Left. The whole drama was marred by three BJP MPs accusing the ruling coalition of some inducement using the MP, money power. Somehow the government managed to survive and a new chapter began. The Manmohan Singh was seen on television waving the Victory sign. Recently the government nearly faced nearly the same situation. This time the threat was not from Left, it was from South. DMK having a strong hold in Tamil Nadu s part of its solidarity towards Tamils in Sri Lanka had planned a mass resignation of its MPs from Tamil Nadu. In all party meet convened by Karunanidhi, all the present adopted a resolution to resign en masse if the government fails to deliver as per their demands. Three of DMK's MPs especially Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi submitted their resignation to the chief minister himself. After seeing thr heat, the government through the foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon voiced its concern. As a result Sri Lankan government reassured that human rights violation in their fight against LTTE would not happen. On October 26 defence minister Pranab Mukherjee called upon Karunanidhi with Centre's assurances. This was the point whereby assurances and reassurances could be seen. The DMK chief alleying the UPA's fears assured Pranab that he will not put a pressure on Centre by going ahead with his threats, if it were to be implemented the DMK MPs would have resigned. That would have created a crisis for the UPA. But with a concrete efffort on the part of UPA managed to save it from another complicated situation. And another crisis was averted.

Caste Based Census

Madras High Court in its recent ruling has directed the Centre to conduct a caste wise census. The honourable court must have ruled after seeing many discrepancies in the number of backward people spread across the country. The SCs, STs, or Other Backward Classes constitute the main structure of India's leading castes. What will be the end result of the ruling is only the matter of time. Now let's have a look over two incidences that had huge implications.

The Gujjar agitation early this year had a certain demands based on castes. They demanded that their status of OBC be "upgraded" to the SC as they are deprived of a number of government facilities, in simple terms. The months long agitation blocked a national highway and derailed the transport running through the affected regions. The Rajasthan government almost gave in to their demands and accepted their proposals. But what many feared about the developments was that the giving in of the state government could have opened a Pandora's Box. In India their are huge number of tribes, sub-tribes that come under myriad number of castes and sub-castes. So what if every community leader stands up with a new set  of demands.? If it happens then it would become a mammoth task for the governments, both the Central and the respective state ones, to melt the ice. So can the caste based census provide a solution if such situation arrises? The debate does and will continue

Unholy Conflict Changes The Equations

Hundred acres of land, two warring-identities and one inept establishment, these were the constituents of the so-called ‘land transfer row’ in Jammu and Kashmir. What followed the demonstrations was death and destruction. Death knocks without a prior intimation. Similarly, burning of effigies and problem of refugees in India have similar characteristics. They have a number of things in common. One of them is that they occur without news. The former is a result of protests and the later is a consequence of ethnic cleansing. During recent violence in Kashmir, India lost its most precious abstract object, secularism. Secularism can not be seen and touched. It is a far cry from rhetoric. It is not communicated from venom-spewing mouths but through one’s deeds. Slogan-shouting is an integral part of a protest. In Jammu & Kashmir during the land transfer row and the violence that ensued, slogans determined one’s level of secularism and sedition. The entire land-controversy was turned into a between ‘They’ and ‘Us’ squabble. It was propagated as a battle between the nationalists and the separatists.

So what triggered the controversy that pitted men, women and children against each other? People from different age group took to the street and shouted both anti-and-pro-India slogans. Already existing demographic division has crept further deep into peoples’ minds. It has divided the already polarized Hindus and Muslims in the state.
So where did the problems lie? Was it between separatists and the nationalists or between ‘They’ and ‘Us’ indeed? By all means it wasn’t. The question ‘why the controversy broke out in first place?’ needs to be answered.

The whole chronology into the episode says that the matter could have been prevented from turning into a full-fledged flare up with timely action which requires sagacity. It has seen marginalization on both sides.
On May 26 the Jammu and Kashmir government passed an order that allotted hundred acres of forest land to the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). SASB takes care of the two-month long yatra every year. This year the Yatra lasted between 18 June and 16 August. The transfer, which instilled a feeling of alienation among Muslims, drew fierce protests from the separatists groups and Muslim community.

One thing which must have been aired and printed widely was hushed up in the pandemonium.
The first protest did not come either from Muslims or from the Hindus . An uninterested entity raised many points against the land transfer, an NGO.
Reportedly some environmental groups had objected to the land transfer in the Baltal forest region. Instead of jumping the guns the government should have initiated a scientific study to dig the truth behind the objection. That could have protected the dispensation from humiliation and the people from agony.
All the hell broke loose when Jammu and Kashmir retracted its earlier order of transfer. This time Hindus felt insecure in their ‘own motherland’. And the rest is the history.
Continuous tri-partite parleys among Centre, Hindus and Muslims yielded no results. Sri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS) adopted a tough stand and wanted hundred acres of land restored to SASB to construct makeshift amenities during Yatra. An eighteen-member all party committee under home minister Shiv Raj Patil was constituted that yielded no results.

The problem and its roots lie deep in the hearts of people. The tangible alienation on the part of Muslims and the feeling of being deprived of a ‘piece of land’ in their own motherland triggered the violence.

The extent of alienation can be judged by reaching to those who feel it.
Shakil Ahmad first protested in 1990 against Indian rule in Kashmir. At 35 he is a salaried worker who is back on the roads. Shakil was among many who believed that their land was being taken away from Kashmiris. He said to NDTV, “We are not against Yatra. We are heartily going to support them.” NDTV quoted him as saying, “They won’t allow this to happen even at the cost of their lives.”
{http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080054607 (June 26 2008)}

Hindus also feel some king of injustice meted out to them in their own motherland. The readers can see the degree of hatred by going through the following.
A blog on Kashmir says, "Secularism is a tool to wipe out Hindus from India." It continues to spew the venom by saying, "There is no word as 'secularism'. There is only one word 'nationalism'." These are the divisive forces that hamper the peace proceses. Such propagandist attitude can never generate results. To add to the woes, they add oil to the flame.

A Scold

Never in my life I was so furious with myself when I failed to win the most venerated faculty, her trust. I thought that I was making an unsuccessful attempt to look intelligent. I thI wanted to be one. It was not the matter of losing on one assignment. Suddenly when I was called to her cabin I expected something good. As I left her cabin I was full of self pity and remorse and every other things that bring the self humiliation. But this time I have decided to take my faculties advice not for granted but for making best use of my potential. One thing which kept my soul alive was her encouraging criticism of my inability to live up to her expectations. She told me that I was very prominent in my interview then why I was deteriorating day by day. This was the point where the scold started. Being an obeying student I listened to her and at some point I wanted to ask her something. Words could not come out of my mouth decided. But to conclude I had experineced my scold.

An Evening To Celebrate

October 20 brought us a huge treat, a sort of assorted Punjabi dishes, among many things. It was a real experience. We were given a new life. After having our favourite dishes it turned the situation into a nostalgia. I missed my home in this four months first time. Reason. The good food. Siddhartha K G, with all his aspirations to be an administrator, threw us all a party tonight. A party that was full of camaraderie, mutual understanding because there were no heated exchanges this time. I had a horrible experience during one such gathering at our place, Jains Antariksa at Kodambakkam, when I, showing my friendliness, pulled down one of my friends half pant. Nothing would have happened if I had stopped after he warned me to stay away from such things. An aspirant, who could have made a best athlete or cricketer or could have done wonders had he adopted any sport as a profession chose to keep a low profile. Fruaght with the qualities of a good human being he did not demand to contribute to the enormous bill. It is important to tell those who visit this blog regularly why we went out this evening and had a feast. His sister gave birth to a lovely boy, who she thinks will do wonders like K G, at some point. I wonder some times what a child brings with him when he opens his eyes in this world. By no means unprecedented degree of happiness. no other height can match the altitude of the happiness due to a new arrival in any family. Series of rejoicing happens follwed by feasts. But for my friends it may have been only a chance to fill their stomach. I enjoyed it because K G's sister had a reason to rejoice. Our sister had a reason to be happy. But whatever my be the reason behind her happiness, our happiness, it was a time to party. An evening to celebrate.

Another Feather For Indian Literature

The Man Booker for 2007 went to the young and charming Arvind Adiga for his debut novel "The White Tiger." Till the announcement of the the highest citation in the literary world it was hardly inticipated that the writer in his early literary days would manage to bag the coveted 50 000 sterling and a recognition. Adiga who started his carrer as a Business Reporet broke his family norms which was dominated by the medical professinals. His uncle is a renowned medical professinal who runs his establishment in Bangalore. His father currently in Australia is also from the same medical world serving the cause of humanity. The writer who lost his mother at vey young age when he was in standard X was never perturbed by the tragic event. Emerging from the shamble he rised from the confines and went to study at Oxford to realise his dreams. After graduating in Economics and finishing other masterly educations he came back to India. As a media person he shifted his base to Mumabai. According to his uncle his mother was the main driving force that attracted the young author towards the glamour of success. When she died he decided to move on as the world around him moved on. His debu literary work has not only won him the prestigious Booker but at the same time some harsh crticism from the literary world. Those who always portary India in positive picture have criticised the authors fictional work. They believe that his book "The White Tiger" portrays India and its society badly and stereotypes the country. Many of them have put foraward how the BBC used to broadcast cows on India's streets when the channel could have highlighted other things. "The White Tiger" debates two India. One "the Dark" and the other "the Brighter one." Set on the backdrop of the class conflict, the rich and the poor divide, it talks about a character "Balram Halwa" a visionary who progresses to become an entrepreneur. To make his dreams come true Balram uses the illegitimate means. In an interview to the BBC Arivnda emphasised that there is no legitimate way to climb the ladder leading to the riches but the tool of crime. "In India people become rich eother through crime or through politics which is a variant of crime." The story of Balram Halwai is another of the rags to riches story, but it has the overtones of the crime, a tool utilised by him to reach the laddeer. The author says that the novel belongs to Delhi as he finds the city close to his heart. "The White tiger is from Delhi as the protagonist in the novel is based on a character, though fictitiously, from Delhi itself," he elaborates. Enshrining huge dreams in his mind, Balram Halwai lands a chauffeur's job. After winning the trust and seeing the glamour inriches he murders his employee and with the booty starts a business. The entrepreneurial skills which he got naturally makes him much more optimistic and helps realise his dream. howver the nothion that in India you can attain wealth either through politics or through crimes has not gone down well with the literary circle. They believe that the author should have avoided the conflicting notions as it is tantamount to a ceratin way of profling. Debates continue. The author also may be revelling. But one fact is that India has seen another of her literary genious, Arvind Adiga.

A town bleeds more by propaganda...

On September 29 the terror revisited the textile town of Malegaon in the Holy month of Ramadan. The outcome was unending chaotic developments that overpowered the restraint of the people. Many present on the post-blast site took to violence and attacked the police, as preliminarily, the cops reportedly declared that a cylinder had exploded.
But violence can never be the answer to any violent perpetration. People can’t justify it when they resort to it if they don’t find a solution to their problems.
Located in north Maharashtra in Nasik, the city is a distinct example of a ghetto.
Here a river, Mausam nadi, divides Hindus and Muslims into two separate ideological entities. Rivers are considered as uniting force as they flow into different cultures and demography. In India few of them have religious connectivity attached to them. They have no boundaries.
The five bridges over Mausam nadi act as frontiers when it comes to the communal conflagration. People from two sides are held back to cross over the bridge during religious strife.
It is a common phenomenon whenever a riot breaks out that the anti-violence government forces take a centre stage and occupy the entry and exit points at these bridges, on Mausam nadi.
In a city that has a population of more than seven lakh, the segregating forces somewhat have succeeded in poisoning young minds. These immature minds could have been fed with constructive ideas. The father of Indian nuke-bomb A P J Abdul Kalam, who likes to mingle with young minds, has written a book called Ignited Minds. But, being in oblivion, he might not be aware that there is a continuous campaign across the country that feeds these ignited minds with misinformation. Those who remember the pattern behind riot after riot don’t need any further explanation.
Even a small sparkle can snowball into a massive fire at any point of time.
Many believe that the blast that claimed at least six innocent lives and seriously injured as many as 80, was part of a larger conspiracy to polarize the pluralistic Indian social structure. The culprits wanted to trigger a communal flare up as they detonated it in the Holy month of Ramadan.
This is what Hindus and Muslims equally believe.
But hats off to the sagacity of Hindus and Muslims that, the tragedy did not turn into a gruesome wave of violence.
The majority of the Indian populace believes that the series of blasts in the country are nothing more than a gimmick to divide the society on communal lines. Earlier it used to be riot after riot, now the blast after blast. It has damaged the already frail social structure. It has left the bleeding country bandage-less and deprived it of the necessary treatment.
History tells us that the polarization of communities never happened overnight. People attacked each other. The savage, irrespective of the religion they believed in, chased men, women and children to their death only to vent their unfounded anger.
Communities especially the religious minorities live in ghettos. The most common quality of a living organism is to find a safer place to be in, even the ants rush to their havens before the onset of rains.
Previous studies suggest that religious minorities like Dalits, Sikhs or Parsis prefer to live in ghettos. Here their natural characteristic of self-protection and retaining their identities overpowers their desire to be in mainstream.
With a history of a series of communal confrontations Malegaon was always looked down upon, it was always branded as haven for the anti-socials. Many used derogatory languages against Muslims and called Malegaon as Mini-Pakistan.
Successive dispensations overlooked the town which fell further deep into the chaos. Many blame the people themselves for the poor state of the town.
The writer once happened to speak to a man probably in his seventies. When asked about the deplorable conditions under which Muslims live he replied immediately. To the writer’s shock the answer was quite unexpected.
“KHUDA NE AAJ TAK USS QAUM KI HAALAT NAHI BADLI
NA HO JIS KO KHAYAL AAP APNI HAALAT KE BADALNE KA”
He quoted a popular verse from Quran which was paraphrased into lines by the scholar-cum- poet Mohammed Iqbal that means, “The god never changes the (abysmal) state of any community (nation) until or unless the community (nation) itself contemplates to improve that (abysmal) state.”

Nothing exists in this world without a reason. Smoke does not billow out without a fire.
The poor standard of living because of lowest level of income deviated many to the world of crime. The crime once used to be at its height in Malegaon has died its own death. These ruthless anti-social elements wer once on the rampage and butchered each other mercilessly. The most unpopular murder was committed on the day of Eid. The writer who was not born at the time has heard the story many times since his childhood. After saying Eid prayers Bhoorya Dada as he was known cut the throat of his rival Moosa Dada when both of them confronted each other after EID Namaz. These horrible accounts are unending and would require reams of papers to write.
It is bitter fact that to end the menace no body came forward with a concrete formula. Everybody practiced the rhetoric.
The town once considered as the Manchester of Maharashtra has been neglected on many counts. Muslims depend upon their sole source of bread and butter, the powerlooms. They weave cotton and now polyester fabrics. Malegaon boasts more than one lakh sets of these cloth-weaving machines which are the mainstay of the community. Powerful rich Marwaris buy these weaved clothes from the Muslims in the common gathering place of Taanba Kaanta.
The city came into existence as a result of mass exodus of Muslims from now Uttar Pradesh. A caravan came at the banks of the river Mausam in the late nineteenth century. Most of who migrated where weaver or Julaha Muslims which is a caste granted OBC status by the government of India.
Change is the integral part of the world. Change happens everywhere. It happened in Malegaon. After the communal riots blasts brought change. This time it came in the form of people becoming alert about their rights.
After the blasts it was time to put the ointment to the wounds. Sonia Gandhi visited the textile town with an entourage of ministers and officials to hand out the compensation checks. To astonishment of many, the families of few of those who died in the blasts refused to accept them. They only wanted the acts of terror crushed. They demanded a thorough and fair probe into it.
Never in the history of communal violence or acts of terror, was witnessed that people refused the government aids.
There is nothing more dangerous than the powerful tool of propaganda. It has become quite tougher now to dig into the ground realities. People don’t bother about it. They are spoon-fed with biased information. They practice persecution.
Two blasts one on September 8 2006 and the other in the Holy month of Ramadan this year have failed to make Hindus and Muslims turn their backs towards each other. Hindus have donated their bloods to save the lives of Muslims. They have helped rush the wounded to hospitals in one way or the other.
For reasons unknown to many, Malegaon has witnessed many communal flare ups since independence. It is unnecessary to write “since independence” as it was the point where the mass polarization of communities happened. Millions ended homeless and hundreds were butchered in the name of religion as a result of partition. The legacy of the hatred continues. The blasts which have replaced the riots also continue. But the need of the hour is to stop propaganda. It divides the minds. And minds are the biggest building blocks of any country. It is up to those who are at the power corridors how to prevent the building blocks from turning into stumbling blocks. As someone said minds can easily be ignited. So why not ignite them for turning the century into ours, century of the people of India.