Secularists and their fanatical secularism

Secularism is the belief that government or other entities should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs.

In one sense, secularism may assert the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, and the right to freedom from governmental imposition of religion upon the people within a state that is neutral on matters of belief. In another sense, it refers to the view that human activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be unbiased by religious influence. Some scholars are now arguing that the very idea of secularism will change. [Link]

That is how Wikipedia describes secularism. There is an India specific section describing secularism as –

The Preamble to the Constitution of India declares that India is a secular state. The original preamble did not mention the word “secular”. It was added later by 42nd amendment in 1976. The term secularism in politics refers to the governmental practice of indifference towards religion. Though such bifurcation is not totally possible, still, secular politics attempt to prevent religious philosophies or bodies from influencing governmental policies. The philosophy that the Indian constitution upholds is a kind of secular humanism made relevant through a historical development of the ideology within the context of religious pluralism in India. [Link]

It is admitted that politics cannot be completely isolated from religion or religious beliefs but secular politics strives to separate government policy making from being influenced by religion. We hear almost every politician and self described secularists swear by this principle. Yet what has transpired since our independence is contrary to this. Secular principles have been abandoned at the slightest hint of threat from religious groups. We saw this in the Shah Bano case where a court verdict based on secular law was subverted by letting religion influence changes in law. We see this principle being jettisoned routinely the moment vote banks revolt on religious pretexts.

If a secular state is supposed to be agnostic on the matters of religion then the Indian state describing itself as such is an anomaly. In fact the Indian state contradicts the Indian Constitution to an extent that necessitates re-evaluating inclusion of the word “secular”.

One could cite the articles for fundamental rights in the constitution allowing freedom and propagation of religion. That is certainly the argument of religious groups. These freedoms have led to varied interpretations by secularists and the courts alike resulting in heated debates between various groups. The continual bowing down of the state on matters of religion and the manner in which this has been done has completely altered the purported meaning and intent of secularism. Secularism in India has been watered down to such an extent that it has now attracted the label “pseudo secularism”. Champions of Indian secularism have had a great part to play in this. On every occasion self described secularists have exploited the concept to further their own narrow agendas. This is evident from the fact that under secular campaigns only one set of groups have benefitted almost always. Having seen this go on for years a feeling of resentment has set in among those adversely affected by secularism. When religious institutions of one group benefit at the expense of the other, when certain institutions enjoy immunity while other institutions are constantly under scrutiny and state interference, when predatory proselytising techniques enjoys secular sanction secularism acquires a fanatical character. The heated disputes and confrontations between the affected parties is an example of how fanatical secularism has driven a wedge between communities.

Wikipedia also says this –

Under feudal system there was no competition between different religious traditions as authority resided in sword and generally there were no inter-religious tensions among the people of different religions. They co-existed in peace and harmony though at times inter-religious controversies did arise. However, there never took place bloodshed in the name of religion.

…

In a multi-religious society, if politics is not based on issues but on identities, it can prove highly divisive. Politicians are tempted to appeal to primordial identities rather than to solve problems. The former case proves much easier. The medieval society in India was thus more religiously tolerant as it was non-competitive. The modern Indian society, on the other hand, has proved to be more divisive as it is based on competition. [Link]

It is not too difficult to see that predatory proselytisation is seen as a competition and threat by the affected communities. A diverse country like India cannot afford this threat. When fanatical secularism is invariably seen to favour one set of groups and when these groups flourish at the expense of others, discontent brews. When fanatical secularism refuses to address this discontent, it manifests in unpredictable ways, including violence. As you can see from the Wikipedia entry religious competition has threatened peaceful coexistence of various communities in India. Fanatical secularism aids religious competition favouring one set of groups at the expense of other. Fanatical secularism drives a wedge between communities and it is a threat to our national integrity.

This post originally featured in Centre Right India.

Secular props

It is pretty much well known among independent bloggers and twitter users which side of the political divide do the homegrown secularists lean towards. And it should not be a secret to the others either for they have hardly done it subtly. On every possible occasion the secularists have done all they could to prop up and sell us a secular lemon for our leader.

Their joy knew no bounds when the UPA formation took oath to office in 2004. Sonia Gandhi, the quiet suffering, all sacrificing widow was anointed the undisputed queen of secularism. Manmohan Singh, an allegedly honest man, was foisted on us as our PM. One need not recount the suffering our nation has been going through since then. Both of these secular props have failed every leadership test there is. It didn't bother them that Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi employed questionable means to survive no confidence motion in 2008, a grinning epidemic swept national TV studios and Singh was anointed "King". Omar Abdullah's hate filled speech in the parliament didn't stop them from declaring him "India's Obama". The prince, Rahul Gandhi too threw his weight behind him making him CM for J&K. This "Indian Obama" too has failed miserably and Kashmir is now slipping away from our hands.

The nation has been facing countless grave challenges since the secular props took office, but they continue to dither. Political calculations trump national interest. Many ovaries burst in excitement every time Rahul Gandhi exploits a photo-op, but editorial comments are missing on his absent leadership. Shady characters continue in youth Congress even after Rahul Gandhi promising to change the system. And there's hardly anything to write home about the young Congress leaders. There are countless other examples.

Every single "leader" sold to us by the secularists has been a spectacular failure. Lemons all.

AFSPA debate

There is quite a bit that is wrong with the secular debate on AFSPA. NDTV had one recently (see here). Almost all points of views were represented though adequacy of some may be debated. The trigger for this debate is the alleged human rights violation of the armed forces. The human rights brigade has had phenomenal success is hijacking every important issue facing us today, but lets not go there.

It is interesting to watch secularists debate. This particular debate began with the host establishing the human rights violation angle. In their opening comments, army men in the show quickly put things back in perspective. This necessitated a change of course putting the focus back on human rights angle. Sajjad Lone helped do this with his stories with some able help from representatives of "civil citizenry". Enter Kanchan Gupta who put things back in perspective citing statistics that debunk the main charged hurled at our army. Turns out 97% of these alleged violations were baseless. Says who? How about the government and NHRC, among others. So now what is a secularist to do? Well, turn back to the human angle and that's precisely what happened.

Now it is alright to debate the army's accountability. It would carry weight if it was based on large scale violations and heavy handedness on the army's part. But, demanding the removal of AFSPA based on aberrations is where the secularists lose the plot. Myopic pursuits hardly help anyone's cause. The army has never been above law and will never be, unlike or neighbor.

The debate did touch upon something important but did not go further as it should have. The army is called in as a last resort, when the government, police, CRPF have all failed to control a situation. Rules and laws that apply in a normal situation have failed. The situation facing us in J&K is hardly normal. It is warlike situation. Now if you bring in the army under such circumstances and subject it to laws the local police is expected to operate under is utterly fruitless. Makes one wonder what is the "civil citizenry" batting for. A jihadi is not burdened by laws, he does not need an OK from a magistrate to fire at our army. Very easy to guess who is in a favorable situation.

The army is a lethal fighting machine guarding us from external threats. It should not be used to tackle internal situations. With political incompetence necessitating its use in J&K it should be empowered to carry out its job effectively. The AFSPA is that cover. To subject it to criminal laws is to neuter it completely. It will have an adverse effect on its operations.

"Hindu terror"

That is the new buzz in mainstream media these days. Apparently, investigative agencies believe that certain right wing Hindu groups may be behind Mecca masjid (Hyderabad) and Ajmer Sharif blasts. It seems picking up people with Hindu names for interrogation is proof enough of "Hindu terror" existence. This is more an effort to counter popular perception world over about Islam and its band of Jihadi terrorists taking innocent lives and causing much damage to property on almost every continent. Islamic terror is the name given to that phenomenon and it not without reason.

Islamic terror has entered every serious discussion across the world since 9/11 occurred. Attacks by Islamic Jihadis in India, US, France, Spain, Russia, China, indeed parts of almost every continent on earth has everyone taking of terror. And everyone believes it is Islamic terror. Reasons -

1. Every Jihadi quotes verses from Koran or orders from religious leaders to justify their attacks.
2. There is no dearth of Islamic religious leaders exhorting the faithful to wage Jihad in the name if Islam. They claim it is incumbent upon every Muslim to spread Islam all over the world and crush everything coming in the way.
3. There is also no shortage of Muslims willing to take up Jihad, sacrifice innocent people and themselves to spread Islam.
4. Muslim parents sending their children to wage Jihad can be found in plenty. They insist it is their duty.
5. Educated, well off Muslims who have spent significant part of their lives in western or non-Islamic countries have been joining the rank of Jihadis. Religion is the connection.
6. Almost every terrorist attack has been carried out by Muslims.
7. Jihadis also seek to threaten sovereignty of nations.

We have witnessed this for decades in India. The Indian Mujahideen sent lengthy e-mails quoting Koran to justify their acts. What other logical conclusion could be drawn in face of these facts? Yet "secularists" hesitate; indeed chide anyone mentioning "Islamic terror".

However, all of this is missing from "Hindu terror". Hindu political or religious leaders calling for terrorism? Absent. Sanction for terror in Hindu religious scriptures? Absent. Sanction for terrorism in Hindu society? Absent. LeT, HuJI, AQ like terror groups by Hindus? Absent. Existence of "Hindu terror" world over? Absent. And this despite suffering Islamic terror for decades in modern times. But, "Hindu terror" it is! If talking of Islamic terrorism hurts Muslim sentiments, wouldn't Hindus be upset too? This consideration is clearly missing and casts doubt on intentions behind this attempt.

And how do "secularists" support their claim? Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Col. Purohit and other Hindus under investigation. It matter less if the charges have'nt been proven yet. On the contrary, the case against them has been weakening with every passing day. All attempts to find some terror connection to them have failed so far. It riles every "secularist" up to learn many Muslims picked up for interrogation are eventually let go for lack of evidence. However, they couldn't be bothered if Hindu connections cannot be proved and continue to be in jail. But attempts to sell the "Hindu terror" theory must continue. How else will "communal" vs. "secular" debate continue? How else will Muslims be portrayed as victims?

"a mind with a secular bent"

The recent Swiss referendum to ban constructions of new minarets has riled every "mind with a secular bent". One such mind, Vishnu Som of the NDTV, declared -

"It represents a fundamental threat to millions of Muslims in our country" [Link]

It would seem strange that someone would declare a ban which is the result of a democratic referendum in a sovereign country and which is applicable only within the country's borders to be a fundamental threat to Muslims of another country. And this question was rightly asked by Nitin and others (follow the debate here). The response from Vishnu was unsatisfactory to begin with and entirely typical of "a mind with secular bent". His answer -

"This is as easy to comprehend as it gets." (Complete answer here)

What he seems to imply here is that the issue is so simple only a fool could not comprehend the threat to Muslims. The long, meandering response is anything but an answer. Instead it is a "secular mind" wondering why "right wingers" fail to get it. And Vishnu is guilty of doing the same things he accuses others are doing. In his response he says -

"I cannot tolerate such a generalisation and cannot tolerate people who believe that to be the truth. And it is generalisations like this which represent a fundamental threat to Muslims in India and around the world." [Link]

He disapproves of generalisations yet he paints all those who criticized his views as having a "right-wing edge". So any view that is not congruent to that of a "secular mind" is automatically "right-wing". And the connotations associated with "right-wing" are well known in India. Ergo, all contrary views are invalid. Only Vishu's, possessing a "secular mind", are correct. Indeed in this very first comment he sets a prerequisite to win any debate, one needs "a mind with a secular bend" to understand what he said. After this a "right-winger" can never win.

Another thing that's typical of a "secular mind" is the desire to jump to speak on behalf of the Muslims. If the Indian Muslims feel threatened by something that happened to Muslims elsewhere, let them say so, why should Vishnu feel compelled to do so? The Indian Muslims are capable and have the necessary freedom to do so. Indian Muslims are Indian, Swiss Muslims are Swiss and sovereignty of nations must be respected.

Much of what I feel has been articulated very well here, here and here. This is a very good example of the techniques the left uses when debating, declare your's is the right way, label opponents as "right-wingers", continue arguing "right-wing" is wrong hence anything it says is invalid and declare victory -

"Enough of the great minaret debate. Horrified by the right wing wall I ran into. New subject today ... Will tweet later today." [Link]

Perpetuating stereotypes

The characters that appear on mainstream media debates are nothing more than stereotypes of respective segments of society. And what goes on during these debates does nothing to dispel them. Instead, stereotypes are only reinforced. It would be a mistake to think this is an innocent phenomenon. Rather it is by design to keep the secular vs. communal debate alive.

The only ones that ever represent the "Muslim voice" in the television studios are the fatwa dispensing Mullahs. None of the other well meaning ones ever seem to get invited. And when there is an outrage against the extreme views of the Mullahs, the secular kind ask - why are the Muslims forced to prove their patriotism? They have suddenly found use for the non fatwa reading Muslims. Feigning naivete, the secular kind think the criticism is directed at all Muslims in general. Similar is the case when seeking opinions from the "other side". Groups like the Ram Sene seem to represent Hindus because they fit the secular idea of a fundamentalist. Over 60 years of Independence and we still have the same charade going on.

Cowardice disguised as progressive liberalism

Terrorism, as we knew it, is no longer the same. It is now a "man caused disaster". This completely blunts the effect. A "man caused disaster" does not have the same effect as terrorism. Janet Napolitano (secretary, US Department of Homeland Security) beat many of our social justice warriors to it. They would have loved to have come up with that substitute themselves. However, we knew they were implying the same in their many columns and debates.

This is a peculiar trait of our social justice intellectuals. Create nuances to grave problems and hijack public discourse to avoid reaching any concrete solution.

So terrorists entering our borders and gunning innocent people down are really militants fighting for freedom. That's exactly how a terrorist is referred to in our news media. Terrorism cannot be defeated with apologies. It is a tough battle. Pakistan attacks India via terrorists and it us who must understand them. It is us who must extend a friendly hand. Even in the face of increasingly obvious evidence and the history of our conflicts with Pakistan, it is us that must act like a big brother.

It is the same wooly-headed cerebrating that leads many of our public commentators to argue for Kashmir's secession. None is prepared to face the truth, but is inclined to believe that the terrorists will happily give up their killing habits if Kashmir is given away.

The Muslim persecution theory has been in vogue for quite a while now. While the Islamists are free to make a mockery of our constitution and freedom in our country, it seems, anyone else but the Muslims are responsible for them. This theory has been perpetuated without any proof. Muslims prosper as much, if not more, in this country as anyone else. Be it politics, entertainment, art, business, science, technology we have seen many a Muslim succeed. Even the Sachar Committee report contradicts itself.

Our public intellectuals are living in denial. They hope to make problems go away either by choosing to not acknowledge them or by apologising for them. It is not as if these intellectuals do not realise that denial is no solution. Even a man on the street understands cowards run away from problems.

The media's ADD

Hunt for sound bites and the next breaking news has relegated serious research and discussion on matters of national significance to an unimportant exercise. How many national news media put serious thought, carried out any research and objectively discussed matters concerning our nation? None. Instead what passes off as debate is political opponents bickering enticed by the hosts. Arun Shourie, echoing my thoughts, laments the frivolous nature of journalism in vogue today.

In an interview to Claude Apri -

[...] Previously, whatever would happen, the media would go into depth (into the issue). As you know, today the media is as superficial as the politicians. It is even more ephemeral, one day there is a big issue, the next day, it is forgotten. 'Breaking News' (sometimes) lasts a shift, not even for the day.

[...] Sometimes journalists hear that I had spoken in Parliament or a particular issue is (being debated); journalists come and insist (to have my reaction). They come with a microphone and TV crew. They tell me: 'Sir, there was an issue in the morning, what was the issue?' I tell (the subject of the debate) the chap who then says: 'Sir, our editor is sending us, please tell us what question we should ask you.' (Laughs.) It is a really a fact.

Or questions like this: 'Please, sir, tell us, are you for the Budget or against it?' What can you respond? This is the level that issues are treated.

It is true for the Budget or any other matters, 90 percent of journalists will ask you such questions. [...]

[...] not more than one correspondent who came to interview me had read the documents. And yet, apart from this correspondent and perhaps three or four politicians who had read the documents (nuclear deal), everybody had an opinion: 'We should go with America!' Or 'We should be against!' This type of opinion!

The point that I am making is that the examination (of the issue) is not at all present and yet in that particular case (the nuclear deal), it requires no more than 75 pages to read. [Link]

Yet that won't stop the editors pontificating from their studios. Apparently they seem to think, their opinion is all the matters.

Teesta's falsehoods exposed

The NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace, headed by Teesta Setalvad, has been doing exactly the opposite of what its name suggests. It has made every attempt to deny justice and derail peace in Gujarat with its concocted theories of "Hindu atrocity" on "Muslim minority". It is now clear that facts are contrary to Teesta's claims. The SIT investigating the Gujarat riots 2002 case has this observation -

The Special Investigation Team
responsible for the arrests of those accused in Gujarat riots has severely
censured NGOs and social activist Teesta Setalvad who campaigned for the riot
victims. [Link]

Here's the SIT noting Teesta's fabrications -

Many incidents of killings and violence
were cooked up, false charges were levelled against then police chief P C Pandey
and false witnesses were tutored to give evidence about imaginary incidents, the
SIT said in a report submitted before a Bench comprising Justices Arijit
Pasayat, P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam. [Link]

And here are a few stories cooked by an imaginative Teesta to guarantee maximum publicity -

The SIT also found no truth in the
following incidents widely publicised by the NGOs:

* A pregnant Muslim woman Kausar Banu was
gangraped by a mob, who then gouged out the foetus with sharp weapons

* Dumping of dead bodies into a well by
rioteers at Naroda Patiya

* Police botching up investigation into
the killing of British nationals, who were on a visit to Gujarat and
unfortunately got caught in the riots Rohtagi said: "On a reading of the report,
it is clear that horrendous allegations made by the NGOs were false. Stereotyped
affidavits were supplied by a social activist and the allegations made in them
were found untrue." [Link]

Teesta Setalvad and her "secular" cohorts have made a career out of their false stories on the Gujarat riots. The SIT's findings will now leave Teesta and her ilk jobless.

Next to Teesta, the media shares the most responsibility for spreading the canards by her and making them part of the popular folklore. The time and publicity given to the false cases from a cahoot media and repeated falsehoods have prejudiced a great number for minds against the BJP and Narendra Modi in particular. The eagerness shown by every "secular" champion to pass an judgement even before the legal proceedings reached their conclusions betrayed their prejudices.

The myopic "secular" eyes fail to see that the Muslims are probably the most prosperous in Gujarat than anywhere else in the country. Various reports indicate that the per capita income amongst Muslims is the highest in Gujarat. Besides various Muslim individuals and organisations have come out in support of Narendra Modi in appreciation of his governance and progress brought about in the state. Such facts are blacked out precisely because they are inconvenient to the "secular" belief.

The alacrity shown by the media to ignore facts, jump the gun, pass judgements and prejudice the people's minds is appalling. It is time that the "secular" cheerleaders stop perpetuating these myths about Gujarat. The various awards granted to Teesta must be revoked and every media house that aligned with her must come clean.

You can read more about Teestas falsehoods here, here, here, here and here.

Returning the favour

Not for nothing did the nation's prominent mainstream news editors win the various padma... titles. Their fierce protection of the warped secularism practiced in our nation has impressed their far from secular political masters. This favour meted out by the Congress lead government is more than being returned by the news hounds in this election (not that any other election is any different). Integrity has become redundant in editorial ethics.

Measurement criteria differ when it comes to the "communal" or "saffron" folks. While a doctored video (which took about 10 days to produce) is passed off as evidence of hate speech, actual hate speeches by patron parties do not have to pass the "secular" test. It simply is enough to belong to a convenient political party. National editors turn a blind eye over all that is inconvenient. Here are instances that will not make prime time debate or proportional to "communalism" coverage -

RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Monday said he
would have ‘crushed’ BJP candidate Varun Gandhi under a roller for his
anti-Muslim speeches if he had been the country's Home Minister. [Link]

The Congress had organised a rally near
the Jama Masjid ground, supported by 23 Muslim organisations. While addressing
the largely Muslim gathering, Kidwai had allegedly said, “Main mufti nahin hoon
iska mujhe afsos hai, kyunki Mufti log hamare yahan fatwa de sakte hain. Aur
agar main mufti hota to sirk ek fatwa deta ki musalmaan ka BJP ke sath jana kufr
ke barabar hai. (I regret not being a cleric as only clerics can issue a fatwa.
If I were a cleric I would have issued only one fatwa that for Muslims to vote
for the BJP is a sin.)” [Link]

Senior Congress leader and former
minister Kagodu Thimmappa, who had stirred the hornet's nest by allegedly
instigating partymen to 'chop-off the hands of Hindu chauvinists' in an election
campaign meeting recently, today charged that some vested interests had twisted
his statement. [Link]

Mines Minister Sis Ram Ola has winked at the court judgement, transferred department Secretary Shantanu Consul, ignored suggestion of the nation’s Cabinet Secretary, paid no heed to his Cabinet colleague Ram Vilas Paswan’s claim that the national mineral company NMDC should have the mining right at Ramandurg and bulldozed his way through in granting mining right to the PSU trading company, MMTC, which has set up JV with a private company, India Bulls, with the steel czar LN Mittal as the ultimate beneficiary. And all these have been done when the model code of conduct has been in force and the Government led by Manmohan Singh is just a caretaker one. [Link]

A 45-year-old rickshaw puller was beaten
to death allegedly by an acquaintance and his accomplices when he objected
to
them passing lewd remarks at his daughter at Bawana in Outer Delhi on
Saturday.
Three of the accused have been arrested.

The tragic incident took place around 10
p.m. when Harpal went to meet his neighbour Rasool and warned him against
passing vulgar comments at his daughter. This led to an altercation between
them, following which Rasool and his friends allegedly beat up Harpal.
[Link]

Police today imposed prohibitory orders
under section 144 at Kayathamaranhalli extension here, after a clash between two
groups last night, in which, many vehicles and houses were damaged.
Police
said today they resorted to tear-gas to disperse the warring groups. Two
Assistant Sub Inspectors and four constables, were among others, who were
injured in the incident.
Four temples were damaged. The miscreants also
attacked the house of the former Mayor H N Srikantiah and ransacked furnitures.
[Link]

This blog chronicles the molestation and
abduction of Hindu
girls my Muslims in Bengal. [Link]

I just returned from a month in India
during which time an incredible number of significant events were occurring. My
primary mission in going was to document and raise awareness of the ethnic
cleansing of Bangladeshi Hindus. I found plenty, including evidence of ongoing
attacks on them both in Bangladesh and in West Bengal, India. The border between
the two is so porous that terrorists and contraband move freely with and without
the help of India's Border Security Force or West Bengal police. But I also
witnessed the tragic beginning of the end for Pakistan's Hindus. Once one in
five Pakistanis, they have been reduced to one percent of the population.
[Link]

In connection with indulging in rampage
in a banana plantation belonging to Babbukatte Nityadhar Church and trying to
disrupt peace in the region, Ullal policemen arrested seven persons on Wednesday
March 18.

They are Jayson Verghese (23), Vijit
Sunny Rozario (21), Araki Alfred (20), Roshan Cutinho (26), all from Nityadhar
Nagar and Ronald Roshan (22), a resident of Kuttar Prakash Nagar. They were
produced in the court on Wednesday.

On Monday morning, the banana plantation was found to have
been damaged heavily to look as if people belonging to a particular community
had barged into the plantation, and a saffron flag had been planted there,
signifying that Hindu outfits had been involved with the destruction. The
incident took place at a time when Hindu Samajotsav was being organized in the
city. [Link]

The internet is replete with scores more of such incidents. Yet only the convenient ones get reported and debated.

One by one most of the Vadra family members have dropped dead. Mysteriously all of them died either in an accident or committed suicide. Something is clearly not right. But the CBI will not investigate them. Political masters will rein it in. And we will also not see national editors debating this. The media, we are told, only expresses public opinion. However, a majority seems to be excluded from the "public".

Telling it like it is

Paul Sheehan, a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald sees something every dhimmi secularist fails to all around the world. The prejudiced "secular" mind is a prolific myth making machine. Outcomes are already decided and countless hours are dedicated in justifying them. "Secularists" couldn't be bothered with objective analysis, rather inconvenient facts are ignored so existence in denial can continue.

What about proving that Islamophobia
exists at all? That would be the logical, ethical and scholarly starting point. But it appears the outcome has already been decided. This would
fit the prevailing orthodoxy in academia that the default position for
Muslims in Australia is victim. The jargon, "Islamophobia" is part of
this ideological construct. Literally, it means fear of Muslims. [Link] (Emphasis added)

Actually, the Muslim victimhood theory is prevalent all around the world, not just Australia. Our own PM, Manmohan Singh seems to think so. So pained is he at the plight of Muslims in India that he awarded them the right to lay claims on our national resources before anyone else. Every "secular" discussion or column in our news media applies this theory when talking of "social justice". Highly typical of the "secular intelligentsia". However, they seem to forget that it is their same patron "secular" party that has ruled our country for over 5 decades since our independence.

A look at reality presents a completely different picture -

On March 8, the night of the Sydney Gay
and Lesbian Mardi Gras, police say a group of about 100 young Muslim men,
allegedly members of a loose gang called MBM - Muslim Brotherhood Movement -
moved through the centre of the city intimidating, harassing and beating
bystanders.

On March 15, Abdul Darwiche was murdered,
shot to death in a shopping centre in the latest hyper-violence involving two
warring Lebanese Muslim clans.

[...] Channel Nine obtained a copy of a
video surveillance tape which shows the former mufti of Australia kicking in a
door, then returning soon after in the company of police. Apparently he called
police over vandalism which he committed, blaming others who are engaged in a
power struggle at the mosque [...]

A few days later, yet another rape
sentence was handed down to one of the K brothers, three of whom, during their
various trials for gang rape, claimed they were victims of an anti-Muslim
conspiracy. Between them, four K brothers have been convicted of gang-raping
five girls.

This sentencing followed closely on the
conviction of seven Sydney schoolboys for the aggravated sexual assault of a
13-year-old girl in a toilet block in Yagoona in 2007. According to police, the
ring-leader was on his phone speaking in Arabic during the assaults and most or
all of the boys are of Muslim background.

If this is so, these latest convictions
produce a morbid tally of more than 30 young Muslim men involved in serious
proven sexual assaults of non-Muslim girls in Sydney [...] Because sexual
assault is the least reported crime (about 15 per cent of incidents are reported
to police) this particular phenomenon was certainly much broader. [Link]

This behaviour, the "secularists" would have us believe, is demonstrated by "oppressed victims". Non-Muslim girls in our own country are suffering the same crimes and far worse fate than reported above. The magnitude, again as noted in the report, is bigger than apparent because of the nature of crime. Apparently, Jihad can be waged in ways not necessarily involving guns/bombs. Social costs prevent majority of rape victims from actually reporting them. This, somehow, escapes the "secular" radar. However, the advocates of "social justice" howl to their capacity should the "communal forces" raise these issues.

Our media seems to cover its spectacular failure is putting things in the right perspective by raising enough non-issues to drown out the real ones. There is a need to tell it like it is.

A whole lotta noise, very less news

News reporting is fast becoming extinct. Instead slanted reporting peppered with liberal doses of personal views is now the norm. Political correctness demands conformity to the "secular" construct.

Shrieking opinion manufacturers raise enough din to drowns out real issues. Karnataka seems to be getting an awful lot of attention lately. It seems the "saffron brigade" breaching the south, much to the chagrin of the "seculars" predicting a Congress majority, has something to do with this. If one were to go by the reporting on Karnataka in the mainstream news media, one would think all troubles started only after the BJP came to power. A saffron connection is sought in every incident in the state. The alacrity shown in dragging the entire Sangh Parivar into controversy is sharply contrasted with the complete silence when facts turn inconvenient.

Any mischief involving anyone else but the "communal" folks is given a miss. Matters of grave importance such as illegal occupation of temples and historical structures, the growing threat of home grown terrorism, unscrupulous churches etc. are deemed unworthy of "secular" attention. Similarly, the serious threat to national security posed by unchecked Bangaldeshi infiltration, their aggression towards local people and take over of local lands, Churches dictating politics in the North East, foreigners becoming MPs are either only mentioned in passing or met with silence.

The Varun Gandhi incident is a good example of "secular" noise winning over issues. The BJP candidate made some serious claims during his alleged "hate speeches" in his constituency. His claims included molestation of underage girls, mass slaughter of cows, an unfair local administration. These are serious enough issues not to be sidelined. Yet no media house seems to have invested any time in verifying and unearthing the issues. The whole "hate speech" saga began after a convenient 10 to 11 days after the "communal" Gandhi said something "unsecular".

The Election Commission seems to have fallen for the "secular" trap in reaching to its conclusion. Apparently, it seems unwilling to go through the rigours of justice. It formed an opinion without verifying the allegations and without giving a fair hearing to the matter. However the Kidwais of the Congress seem to get away with their blatantly communal meeting with Muslim voters. This, perhaps, is a precursor to things under Naveen Chawla.

"Goodwill gesture"

Pakistan is fast capitulating to the Taliban. It has released 20 Talibanis hoping to broker peace in the Swat valley. History will reliably prove that the Taliban and peace can never co-exist. This will only add 20 more "militants" to the Talibani ranks that will spray more rockets on the NATO routes. So much from a "partner" in war on terror!

Pakistani authorities on Friday freed 20 jailed militants as a "goodwill
gesture" to carry forward the peace process in the Taliban-dominated Swat
valley. [Link]

Also, that is Pakistan's "in your face" to India. 26/11 is far from reaching its logical end. Too many "protesters" seem to take their cue from the Taliban as evidenced back home. The various Christist groups in the North East, Lawyers in TN, The various Islamists etc. They have seen that aggression pays rich dividends. And the mainstream media has successfully perverted public discourse to an extent that right questions do not get asked anymore. One only hears a lot of "secular" noise.

The election coverage is another such example. Secular indignation seems directed only towards the "communal forces" while it is OK for patron political parties to blatantly chum up to their vote banks comprising the "victimised minority". The "Secular" intelligentsia seems to have no trouble reconciling their outrage at the "saffron" folk while maintaining collective silence when powerful churches recommend political candidates and Muslim leaders openly call for support using religion.

Neither the "seculars" nor the "minorities" ever care to wonder how is it that they are stuck in the same place while their patron overlords have ruled our land for about 5 decades since our independence. For an "oppressed minority", they seems to burn far too much public property and murder far too many "communals". Hardly a trait of someone "oppressed".

President O, with his "engagement" policy seems to think there is a "moderate Taliban". That it is an oxymoron has not occurred to him. His juvenile views on foreign policy vis-a-vis the Muslim countries will yield to more such victories for the Taliban. It may be too late before he (and our Congress leaders) matures to realize the reality of Pakistan and other Islamic states and what they stand for. Or is "engagement" President O's "goodwill gesture"?

Islam takes over UN

The charade that began as an innocuous sounding measure to counter "defamation of religions" is ending on being Islam specific.

A new U.N. resolution circulated today by Islamic
states would define any questioning of Islamic dogma as a human rights
violation, intimidate dissenting voices, and encourage the forced
imposition of Sharia law.

UN Watch obtained a copy of the Pakistani-authored
proposal after it was distributed today among Geneva diplomats
attending the current session of the UN Human Rights Council. Entitled
"Combating defamation of religions," it mentions only
Islam.

While non-binding, the resolution constitutes a
dangerous threat to free speech everywhere. It would ban any perceived
offense to Islamic sensitivities as a "serious affront to human
dignity" and a violation of religious freedom, and would pressure U.N.
member states -- at the "local, national, regional and international levels" --
to erode free speech guarantees in their "legal and constitutional systems." [Link] (Emphasis added)

So, how does this resolution concern human rights, when religion is a belief, remains unexplained. It gets very tricky when dealing with defamation to religion -

The law on defamation protects the reputations of
individuals, not beliefs. It also requires an examination of the truth
or falsity of the challenged remarks -- a determination that no one,
especially not the UN, is capable of undertaking concerning any religion.
[Link] (Emphasis added)

Ask any Mullah and he will tell you Koran is the ultimate truth. Objective criticism of Islam now is well nigh impossible.

Follow the link and read it in full. It also carries the draft of the UNHRC resolution on the matter. It does not seem to occur to the UNHRC that in adopting this resolution, it is trampling on the human rights it proclaims to protect. India should get out of the UN, now.

"Engaging" the wrong people

What do general Pakistanis think of the US aggression against terrorists? See below (via The Acorn) -

-- Do you see drone attacks bringing
about fear and terror in the common people? (Yes 45%, No
55%)

-- Do you think the drones are accurate
in their strikes? (Yes 52%, No 48%)

-- Do you think anti-American feelings in
the area increased due to drone attacks recently? (Yes 42%, No
58%)

-- Should Pakistan military carry out
targeted strikes at the militant organisations? (Yes 70%, No
30%)

-- Do the militant organisations get
damaged due to drone attacks? (Yes 60%, No 40%)

[Link] (Emphasis added)

And these opinions are right from within the FATA. Liberation from terrorists and freedom from the Ummah is what they want. Leader of the free world (a.k.a. President O) is "listening" to and "engaging" the wrong people. So are we at home. The resentment against the West and all "infidels" is largely only amongst the warmongering Islamists. Their sole interests are furthering Islam and establishing Sharia. Talking to Islamists is hardly going to give us any "hope" for "change" in their attitude towards us. Swat is an example of what entails when we cede space to them. Contrary to Zaradri's claims, the Taliban is growing stronger.

Sharia spreading under the garb of "multiculturalism"

Courts around the world are giving in to Islamists. They seem unwilling to take on the freedom challengers and hope incorporating Sharia will placate them. This is a monumental folly. The free world continually fails to realise what the Islamists stand by. Nothing short of a global Sharia implementation will gladden the "true of Muslim faith". Rallying crowds holding placards that proclaim "Islam will reign supreme" or "Islam will rule the world" are not being humourous. They similarly proclaim "Death to {insert non-muslim country name here}" and are serious about it.

Sharia is now spreading thick and fast across (an increasingly dhimmi) Europe. We have seen the Geert Wilders case earlier. Now Italy and France join the ranks of dhimmis.

In the first trial, the three were
sentenced for sequestration and bad treatment. The court acknowledged
that the teenager was "brutally beaten up" for having "dated" a non-Muslim and
in general for "living a life not conforming with the culture" of her
family. But on appeal, the family was acquitted because the
court deemed that the young woman was beaten up for "her own good." The
Bologna public prosecutor's office then disputed the acquittal of the three
accused parties, but the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation dismissed it and
ruled in favor of the charged parties. [Link] (Emphasis added)

Girls apparently want to flee into France. But do they have any hope there?

Indeed in one very publicized case, last
June, a French judge ruled in favor of a Muslim man who wanted the
annulment of his marriage because his wife turned out not to be a
virgin. What this decision amounted to was the endorsement of the
repudiation concept. [Link] (Emphasis added)

No they don't. Sharia follows them there too. And apologists do not get it.

In Switzerland [...] an anthropology
professor at the Fribourg university wrote that a special jurisdiction for
Muslims could be envisioned in Switzerland. He added that including elements
from Islamic law could allow to better manage the multiculturalism issue. [Link] (Emphasis added)

There, that word again. Curiously, multiculturalism seems to accommodate only the Muslims, while every other immigrant group must adapt and assimilate. Where the "secular" champions fail, this British Muslim MP gets it right.

[...] Sadiq Khan, a British Muslim MP
said that Sharia courts would discourage Muslims from developing links
with other cultural and ethnic groups. He feared also that women could be "abused" by Sharia courts, which may give
unequal bargaining power to the sexes. [Link] (Emphasis added)

Thus allowing the Muslim "isolation" and "segregation". Precisely the same Muslim "grievances" giving fodder to the Ismalists. It is baffling that rather than listen to reformed Muslims, the "secularists" insist on appeasing the Mullahs. Conceding to them is pushing the Muslims deeper into their grips. Giving in to Sharia is giving up our freedom.

Optical illusion

While Manmohan Singh is the declared PM candidate for Congress, look who's being projected prominently -

The stand alone campaign of the Congress is
centred on Rahul Gandhi who, the hoardings say, will bring about the
seamless transition from a glorious present to a spectacular future.

This is what makes the Congress campaign an
optical illusion. The proclaimed candidate for PM is, as Punjabis say,
a good man di lalten but the person being projected is Rahul.

The question naturally arises: is Singh the
mukhauta who will quietly step aside for the real prime ministerial
candidate after the election is won? Or is he just a night-watchman? [Link]
(emphasis added)

That was Swapan Dasgupta in TOI. We are really being sold some snake oil here. Congress quackery is legendary. Hope the gullible masses are wiser than commonly perceived by the pundits.

Jihad ‘in an organised manner’

That was the latest call by Taliban (see previous post). And sure enough it is being waged quite systematically. We have seen earlier, how Islamists have succeeded in curbing our freedom by petitioning a measure curbing 'hate speech' at the UN. The real intentions behind this measure, however, remain something else. The same plans are at play in the UNHRC. The previous UN conference at Durban, in August 2001, on the matter gives us enough clues -

DurbanI was a notorious hate-filled gathering that
devolved into one of the most racist and prejudiced meetings in the UN's
history. Its anti-Semitism and anti-Israel agenda and
hysterical crowds of extremists still send shudders of horror through the
corridors of human rights organisations. This is why many nations, especially
from the West, are considering boycotting Durban II which, like Durban I, is
likely to become a platform for anti-Semitism and anti-Western xenophobia and hatred.
[Link]
(Emphasis added)

So much for an "anti-racism" conference! What began as a noble sounding cause soon morphed into an occasion for furthering Islamic interests. Very peculiar of the Islamists. What is their real agenda?

Using the catch-all phrase of Islamophobia, the OIC is attempting to deny
nations the right to criticise extremism and violence. [Link]

The all encompassing "anti-racism" has now become "Islamophobia"! The second round is set to begin in Durban on April 20. And the draft, this time, makes no attempts at hiding its intentions -

"Calls for ... the international
protection of the Palestinian people throughout the occupied Palestinian
territory." [Link]

Deduction: Israel is the aggressor and racist. So, Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khan was serious in seeking a "new instrument or convention" to achieve intended goals. After having realised the nefarious plan behind this measure, Israel, Canada have decided on boycotting the conference and a number of European nations are quite rightly concerned about the UNHRC legitimising this Islamic agenda. But, the council is only trying to be 'secular'. Instances of genuine violations escape its radar -

..genocide in Darfur; child soldiers in
Chad and Congo; compulsory sterilization of women in China; suppression of
dissent in Cuba, Iran, Syria and Russia; rape as a political weapon in Zimbabwe;
sex trafficking in Asia; denial of human rights to minorities and women in Saudi
Arabia and other Arab countries.. [Link]

However notices are promptly issued to Israel for responding to Islamic terror. President O's failure to realise the games at play exposes his inexperience. For all the hope he sold in bringing 'change' to America, this is anything but encouraging -

But when the Palestinian delegation laid
their new proposal before the drafting committee, what did Obama's team do?
Nothing, absolutely nothing. They made no objection at all. [Link]

His administration, in fact, 'shares their reservations'. Anti-Semitism and holocaust denial is continuing in the UN without the hitherto US objection. In his eagerness to 'reach out' to the Muslim world, President O is sending out wrong signals. Another dhimmi in the making -

His foreign policy of engagement amounts
to a new willingness to sacrifice Israel and an indeterminate number of American
values for the sake of a warm welcome from the enemies of freedom. [Link]

An 'organised jihad' is indeed on and we are in denial.

Gimme a 'G' gimme an 'A' gimme a 'N'...

...gimme a 'D' gimme a 'H' gimme an 'I'. 'GANDHI' yay! Secular cheerleaders are hard at work selling the prince to us. Here's the latest hoot -

- While travelling, Rahul likes to munch on knick-knacks
every now and then. He offers chocolates and chips to everyone who travels with
him.
- The young turk used to enjoy his game of badminton and would beat
anyone at it!
- When he’s chilling out, he likes to wear black T-shirt and
jeans.
- Rahul's got a sweet-tooth. He loves Gelato and After 8 ice-creams.
- This calorie-conscious Gandhi only has diet coke and calorie-free drinks!
He also eats healthy small meals at regular intervals to cope with an
action-packed day.
- The place where Junior G likes to de-stress in the
evening is the Oberoi’s 360°. He almost always ends up ordering chicken
consomme!
- Rahul starts his day by hitting the treadmill in the morning. He
also takes a brisk walk around the lawns of 12, Tughlak Lane.
- Life on the
fast track attracts Rahul. He loves his car racing sessions with close friends
and some young politicos who dare themselves with high speed and fast cars near
Gurgaon.
- He’s a fan of Lucknawi cuisine (after all he travels to UP
regularly). He just can’t resist kebabs and biryani ! When in Delhi, Thai food
is one of his favourite cuisines. He loves non-vegetarian delicacies.
[Link]

And that, my countrymen and countrywomen, qualifies the prince to be our PM. He races, he parties hard, he dresses hip, ergo, he must be made our PM. Leadership skills, credibility, integrity, connect (not curiosity) with the masses, enjoying their confidence, significant and concrete contribution in the parliament, intellectual clarity, ability to debate for and uphold national interest etc. can all take a hike. Only an indulgent Nehru-Gandhi progeny can stake a claim to the PM chair. The Congress may have declared Manmohan Singh as their PM candidate, but fanboys aren't hiding their preferred choice.

It is a cogent display of sycophancy by our media. Rather than set public discourse on important matters right, we have the media selling us the dynasty. Where the media fails, Sudheendra Kulkarni frames the debate right in his column titled 'Choice before the electorate: Karma Yogi or Vansh Bhogi?'. He draws the stark contrasts between Advani and Rahul articulating quite well why the experienced Advani is a clear choice.

It takes a lot to be our nation's Prime Minister. It is an onerous responsibility that requires a lot of intellectual maturity. Racing, partying and dating exotic girls doesn't cut it. Rahul really has nothing to show for all the hardsell by the dynasty fanatics.

Secularism is myopic

The editor and publisher of a top English-language Indian daily have been arrested on charges of "hurting the religious feelings" of Muslims. [Link]

More than 20 people, including four policemen, were injured in a clash that broke out when police tried to clear Lenin Sarani where Muslim agitators had put up a road block for four hours in protest against an article published in The Statesman a few days ago. Forty-four people were later arrested in connection with the attack on police and blocking traffic, said Mr Pradip Chattopadhyay, joint CP (administration). [Link]

A certain young girl who was seduced to have sex with a man of 26 years killed herself to hide her shame on Tuesday night. The incident occured in a place called Maroor in Mulky police limits. According to a complaint lodged by one Jaya Moolya two girls were lured by one Saleem aged 26 and taken to a seculded places in Maroor. Some elders who caught the man in a compramising condtion along with the girl handed over the girl to the Moodbidri police station while the man Saleem escaped. [Link]

The cracking of the Bangalore serial blasts case has confirmed security agencies' claims about Lashkar-e-Tayiba's links with the dreaded Indian Mujahideen.

Interrogation of terror suspects revealed that they belonged to a terror module in Kerala operated by the Lashkar.

[...] The Lashkar finds the Kerala wing of the IM to be the most dedicated and hence has chosen its cadres for Kashmir.[Link]

There is report of a simmering tension in North Lakhimpur district as two Pakistani flags were seen flying in two interior areas on Wednesday. Confirming this, police officials told reporters that the name of Pakistan was clearly written in English in both the flags [Link]

A scrutiny of the diary recovered from the car of the two suspected militants gunned down in Noida late Sunday night reveal they were in constant touch with a few persons in Azamgarh and the NCR, police sources said.

[...] The surveillance so far reveals that Ali Ahmed and Abu Ismail, the alleged militants gunned in Noida’s Sector-97 after a brief gunbattle, were in constant touch with the Azamgarh duo. The police had yesterday claimed to have found two Pakistani passports from their car. Investigators suspect they initially stayed in Azamgarh for a while after crossing the border to India; later, they came to the NCR in a bid to sneak into the Capital. [Link]

The merger of Dawood Ibrahim's gang with the Lashkar-e-Toiba at the behest of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has Indian security agencies worried since the underworld gang will expand the ISI's reach in the country.

[...] Asked why the ISI had roped in the D-Company in LeT activities, the official said, "The underworld's penetration in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu is very deep. [Link]

Tears streaming down his face, his hands trembling, the man who allegedly led the serial bombing of Ahmedabad that killed 58 and injured over 200 last July claimed he was brainwashed and ensnared into doing what he did by radical Islamist handlers.

[...] If Kapadia is to be believed, his transformation from an ordinary Muslim youth with ordinary dreams and a loving family to look after to one of the country’s top Terror accused, is a tale of intense indoctrination.
It started with Kapadia, a deeply religious youth, meeting up with Sajid Mansuri, the SIMI hardliner and a qualified engineer who is also in police custody now for the Ahmedabad blasts. His journey to terror began in a closed little room in Vatva. [Link]

"In the Urdu textbook, children are told that infidels are cowards by nature and when a holy warrior attacks them, they scream with terror and fear," she (Dr. Rubina Saigol of Action Aid Pakistan) said. "Mujahideen are glorified as being on a mission from Allah and they are superheroes that kill Hindus and make infidels cower in fear," she said, referring from the pages of the textbook.

[...] "India is presented as an enemy and Saudi Arabia as a best friend. Kashmir appears as Pakistani territory forcibly snatched by Hindus and Pakistan as a country created only for Muslims." [Link]

There are many more. Where is the "secular" outrage? Such grave dangers facing our nation do not move your "progressive liberals" into starting a mass movement against them. The "secular" Congress is succeeding in taking over every democratic institution by planting its stooges. But the "secularists" will hijack public discourse and divert public attention on entirely inconsequential matters.