Time to create a formidable Hindu Lobby

‘In a country that prides itself on its religious diversity and its secular constitution, may see the rise of Modi and his pro Hindu agenda as a terrifying chapter of intolerance. They say he is dangerous fire brand and too comfortable inciting the politics of hatred and violence.’ States Sam Dolonick in his article published in the recent issue of ‘The Economist’. Besides holding Narendra Modi solely responsible for the riots of 2002 he also makes the baseless and completely concocted allegation that ‘The RSS was influenced by 1930s German fascism…’ It’s not that he doesn’t acknowledge the unparalleled achievements of Gujarat Chief Minister. In fact he does when he says ‘Modi has attracted more than 20% of the India’s total investment of $69 billion last year’ but he makes a foul attempt of trying to make it irrelevant by adding ‘But despite his achievement, for may of India’s 1.1 billion people – 14 per cent of who are Muslims – Modi will always be defined by the anti-Muslim violence…’

The ‘cause of hate’ against Modi is, frankly speaking, owing to his Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) background, the organization which is today whipping boy of the mainline media and, so called, ‘secular’ organizations. That which ‘The Economist’ says is influenced by the Fascist ideology. Need I say how concocted is this idea, i.e. of RSS being influenced by Fascist? Absolute bunk!

RSS is, in fact, in response to the brutal history of Islamic Conquest, that which American Historian Mr. Will Durant called ‘the bloodiest in history’. The current aspersions against the RSS mostly by Media, Congress and Communist followers to the effect that it is a ‘communal organization, most dangerous to the country than even communism’ are a complete travesty of fact.

The Ideology of Hindutva which is propounded by RSS, and followed by Modi, offers a room for all minorities on a condition of their whole hearted submission to the supreme value of the nation in their lives. The nation is a vehicle of universal truths and is not an entity above them. This is no chauvinist nationalism of the kind associated with Mussolini or Hitler. It teaches loyalty and devotion to the national society in the national homeland under the image of the mother. The unity and solidarity of the motherland taught to claim the highest sacrificial devotion from the citizen body. Whoever enters into this spirit of devotion to the nation as a spiritual unity of the land and people are Indians or Hindus in essence. The mental commitment should be final and supreme.

The Muslims and Christians have perfect freedom of worship, so long as they do not destroy and undermine the faith and symbolism of the national society. They should subordinate their exclusive claims for final and sole revelation vis-à-vis the national society. They could bear witness to their faith in life and speech but they should not indulge in any unfair and unspiritual modes of conversions.

The national identity requires that the whole of the national society, including minorities, should share in the best values of the past. They should appreciate national Dharma – the code of ethical principles and ways of life. The cultural history, they should all give their mind and hearts whole-heartedly to an appreciation of the best types. Rama and Krishna may be appreciated by non-Hindus as secular examples while the Hindus will see them as full spiritual exemplars, or avatars. Now considering this ideology, I wonder as to what is so ‘dangerous’ about it, so as to look at it dangerous than communism? I would be delighted if the people who put in such allegation help me to understand.

Be that as it may. Let’s consider the following case: In the late 1980s, Abdul Latif was the underworld king of Gujarat. Later, he became Dawood Ibrahim’s business manager in the state and was one of criminal dons to make what now seems to be the shameless transition from organized crime to terrorism. Latif was also the suspect in the Mumbai blasts case of 1993; the RDX and other explosive devices for that operation landed, remember, on the Gujarat coast. In November 1997, Latif was killed in an encounter with the Ahmadabad police. Many of the Latif’s cohorts were put under watch. One of them was his driver, apparently responsible for, in one daring move, hiding a huge cache of weapons meant for terrorist groups. This was part of the consignment that had arrived before Mumbai blasts of 1993. Latif was under surveillance so his driver had hidden the arms in a well in his (the driver’s) native village near Ujjain. The driver eventually faced over 50 cases including some under the National Security Act; He was arrested at various stages, by the Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh police, but avoided conviction. When not facilitating terror networks, he was engaged in extortion rackets in Rajasthan, acting almost certainly on behalf of others. His principals, the police believe, may be linked to terror funding groups. The Latif’s driver’s name was Sohrabuddin Sheikh. Yes this was the same Sohrabuddin for whose encounter Modi was being scrutinized by his political rivals and the media. ‘A nationalist is being harassed for having exterminated a terrorist!’ by the media that calls itself ‘secular’ and ‘nationalist’. What a pity.

If you may observe in detail of the propaganda carried on by the Media in Gujarat and in other part of the world, at the same time, you would find that: While Dr. Haneef, a doctor who flew from Glasgow in UK to Australia under mysterious circumstances, and who was arrested by the Australian authorities was given such a terrific support by the media as if they were convinced and simply wanted to convince the world that he wasn’t a terrorist. It may be noted that simply because he was allowed to return to India on benefit of doubt the media almost declared his victory as theirs, before even he was tried in the court of law. Our Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh, went on record to say that he ‘lost his sleep’ for Haneef. On contrary to this when ethnic Hindus in Malaysia made a peaceful demonstration against the destruction of their temples by pro-Islamic-fundamentalist regime and were sabotaged ruthlessly and put to jail our very own Karunanidhi’s grievances, put forth the Central Government, were simply brushed aside, he was asked to lay off the issue rather ruthlessly. Media made little publicity of the issue. When it's a question of Hindus getting unfair treatment in a Muslim majority region, the 'civil, sophisticated and articulate' Muslim intellectuals take refuge in the statement that it's a matter concerning a foreign country. But when it's a question regarding a cartoon or a fatwa for beheading a writer, they say - we are a global Ummah, anything happening anywhere to Muslims is our common concern! All big lies and a bigger hypocrisy traded in the name of a religion. So much for their hypocrisy! But why is it so?

Let’s go in to a bit detail. When Muslims are in trouble there is a cry of intolerance from the whole of the Islamic world led by the Arabs. The Pope cries foul when there is problem facing Christians. Communists in India are supported by their comrades in China. But why is it that none cries or express even a word of concern when Hindus are in trouble? Today thousands of Kashmiri pundits, who were driven out of their homes by Jihadi Muslims after torturing them and even raping the women, are living as refugees in their own country. No media cares for them. Instead more special privileges are given to the Kashmir as an incentive and they continue to play lame politics of ‘Azad Kashmir’ (read Independent Kashmir) with Indian Government. Our forces who risk their lives are blamed and abused for unproven allegations. Recently, in Kashmir, an Army Jawan was stripped off and made to walk nude in the public for attempting to rape a woman. Is it so? Then why is it that the same people were sitting so silently when those terrorists were killing and raping their people? Why didn’t they ever boycotted them and gave a similar treatment? Why doesn’t a Maulvi, anywhere in India, issue a fatwa against a Jihadi terrorist? No answers.

But that is understandable. The pure hypocrisy, of the Muslim Clergy and Politicians, is the answer. But why is the media sitting mum? Why aren’t they speaking? Have you ever thought of a reason? I did. The reason is because Hindus don’t have a strong Lobby of their own.
If you take the case of Israel, you will find that though it is a small land they continue to live against all odds surrounded by their enemies from all the directions with rightful support of Americans. Americans are under obligation to support Israel because Jews, who also form a majority in Israel, control American Economy. Palestinians though haven’t been anywhere successful to have a worthwhile economy for themselves and having spend six decades in building a legacy of hatred and violence continue to gain ‘sympathy’ and ‘support’ from the Media as a result of the financial expenditure by the Arab Lobby Supported by Arab Nations. When Christians are persecuted in Pakistan Pope cries foul and American along bring in their pressure to put a halt on it. But what is the case with Hindus? Who are they to look for? As Arabs for the Muslims, Vatican for the Christian and Israel for the Jews who is for Hindus? It’s sad but true that Hindus have none to look far. The only Hindu country, Nepal, is today under the clutches of Communists, with its King virtually in exile.

India has, what it is proudly called, a ‘Free Press’ that which is run by private organization without governmental controls. We have series of Television News Channels in various languages. And not a single one ever clarifies its source of income. They never specify who funds them in their websites do they? Yet they have with them millions of dollars. Where did this money come from? You must agree with me that a majority of funding comes from international sources. But why would any organization invest in a media organization? Yes it would be for profitability, if you say it just like that. But there is more than profitability, don’t you think? Every journalist has with him/her an inclination towards the Arab or the American or the European world. Don’t they? Isn’t it possible then that they also subscribe to ideologies of that part of the world? Certainly they will, and beyond doubt.

So if they have with them an ideological inclination then it is very much possible that they would have hardly any chance to criticize those people who are of interest to their principals. So when you have so many Medias everyone is certain to have one kind of the ideology or the other, except Hindu, represented. Thus the only favorite whipping boy available is the RSS and its allied organizations. Isn’t it so? So there you are.

These different lobbies have a phenomenal financial power. The Jews gain their financial power, as said before, through the various business enterprises that are vital for American Economy including the press. Jews are said to be controlling the American Economy virtually. Muslim Lobby led by Arabs gain their financial muscle through petro economy, where billions of dollars are earned by them almost without any efforts and also invested in Global Terrorist endeavors.
Since true journalistic spirits exists hardly anywhere in the modern day, media corporations are exclusively concentrated on financial profitability. Given this it’s not a great deal to make these Lobbies to run the propaganda of their kind in their supported Medias. And given there isn’t any Lobby for the Hindutva faction; they are to be the easy target of such propaganda. Won’t you agree?

This is high time for Hindus to organize an internationally influential Hindu Lobby. Do you think that it is difficult to form one? Certainly not!

Consider this: When NDA government had organized ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ there were so many Non Resident Indians, most of whom were Hindus who had expressed their interest to be of some use to their land. When, after Pokharan II, India was showered with various international sanctions, let us never forget it was our fellow NRI’s who came to the rescue by subscribing to Yashwanth Sinha’s, then Finance Minister’s, Resurgent India Bonds. Before NDA regime was over India had with it a Foreign Exchange in excess of $100 billion. Doesn’t this portray the willingness of our Diaspora? The only thing that would be needed is desire, first, followed by unrelenting determination.

Simply put ‘Creating a Pro Hindu Lobby is not an option… but a sheer necessity.’

The author is the Editor-in-Chief of Aseemaa: Journal for National Resurgence.

Kannada is under siege by whom?

In less than a month’s time I have attended two Kannada Sammelans (read conference). One organized by Alvas Education Foundation, entitled Nudisiri, in Moodubidri and Kannada Sahitya Sammelan – organized in association with the state government in, my home town, Udupi. The difference I found in both of them was phenomenal. While Alvas did a remarkable job of setting standards for such conferences, the Sammelan in Udupi was an awful experience owing to the political organizers and publicity mongers.

People were acting in varieties at the Kannada Sahitya Sammelan to find a space for themselves in the media. I am sure everyone was aware that this event was to get a tremendous publicity given the fact that there wasn’t much happening in the political podium in Bangalore with the assembly standing dissolved and election being too far. The news channels that have recently popped from nowhere were simply finding hard to put their hands on anything sensational for airing. Thanks to this Sammelan, especially the one organized in Udupi, they were at least managing to get some worthy, or unworthy, news to feed their desperate bosses in Bangalore, if not their viewers.

Listening to the speakers at both the conference was a completely boring as well as awful experience at the same time. There weren’t many points for the speakers to talk. Almost everyone spoke of one or both of the following two topics: Onslaught of English Education and Petty Political mudslinging.The blame game was on as to who did what for Kannada.

‘English education will kill Kannada’ was the standard theme of almost all the speech. The idea for promoting the language, propounded by various speakers at both the conferences, were many including: Promote parents to send in their children to Kannada medium schools, make Kannada mandatory in all state administrative offices and to elect representatives who are committed to Kannada values.

It was a very different case to note that: People who were asking others to send their children to Kannada medium schools have had, or are having, their children educated in English medium. Those who were asking Accha (pure) Kannada mandatory at all the Kannada administrative offices had completely forgotten the fact that ‘Save’ happens to be an English and not Kannada word, while they were saying, repeatedly, ‘Kannada vannu save maadi.’ Now coming to the idea of the people talking about electing those representatives who are committed to Kannada values need I say that they didn’t knew any language other than Kannada? So much for their petty mindedness and double standards, as a result of which the Sammelan had completely lost track of its objective of displaying the might of Kannada language.

No, I am not a Kannada basher or hater. My mother tongue is as much Kannada as it is Konkani and though I had my initially schooling in Maharashtra I can fairly speak and write in Kannada. My emotional strength, even today, owes to Bhajans of Purandara Dasa and Kanaka Dasa. I listen to as much Kannada songs as with Hindi or English compositions.

Kannada needs resurrection and I do sincerely feel that it is under siege. But the siege, I believe, is not because of the English or Hindi onslaught, as, so called, Kannada Premis (read lovers of Kannada) think.

You can’t bring in Kannada resurgence by fighting against languages of this, or foreign, land. You can’t even create love; forget respect, by spreading hatred against the people settling in our state; simply because they weren’t born here. I don’t agree with such people when they say that Kannada is in grave danger in Bangalore with diminishing of Kannada population percentage in the wake of flow of people from other parts of the country.

I am completely taken aback as to how do they think that Kannada is going to loose grounds when people come and settle in this place from other part of the world? Shouldn’t it be a matter of respect that people are coming to this place leaving their natives? Aren’t these people on being a part of the land not going to learn Kannada? Aren’t we hailing the spirits of our language by offering them a warm welcome?

I was saddened when a, so called, Kannada Premi, voiced concern at hosting of National Flag and singing of National Anthem at Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Udupi. It was more painful to find all the people, out there, standing mute spectators to his protest. This act was, as per law, no less than a treachery. Why wasn’t he arrested then and there? Are we even forgetting that fact that disrespect for our Nation is also disrespect for Kannada? Why?

The issue that faces us today is that ‘Kannada is fast losing grounds’. Yes, it is true not just with Kannada but also among other Indian languages. This is owing to the onslaught of Globalization where better job opportunities are available only for candidates who can speak and write in English, fluently. It is also true that we aren’t going to achieve anything in life just by knowing Kannada. It is so difficult. Hence making Kannada a mainstream language is a very difficult task, one that is close to impossible. But it is certainly not difficult to save the language and its literature along with its indispensable culture.

Consider for example the language of Jews – Hebrew. When Jews were completely driven out of their home land in Jerusalem they were all scattered across the world and the language had almost met its own death. But after the World War II when they got their land back, partially, from the British through Balfour Declaration they resurrected the language and even made it functional today. Today in Israel there are two official languages: Hebrew and Arabic. It is also true that they are as much fluent in English as it is with Hebrew or Arabic.

Many people at the Sammelan were speaking about French and Germans. They were persistently hailing them for the love of their mother tongue. ‘Germans never speak in English as they find it insulting to their mother land and tongue.’ A speaker went on record to say. I felt so pity on his statement for two reasons: first the Germans never address their nation as motherland - they call it as Fatherland and secondly considering the global economic development every one there, both in France and Germany, are now coming to terms, though slowly, and are speaking English.

In my previous career as a Management Person I have been in touch with so many French and Germans. Most of them were educated in Harvard and Oxford and spoke more fluent English than British. Yes, of course, they certainly loved their languages more than English. But, as I found myself personally, not many were hated English and because they didn’t - they have been so successful in international trade.

Considering the above context let me present you a case study: In Karnataka, there are so many wonderful craftsmen and skilled artisans who make various handicraft products that have a tremendous appreciation, as well as demand, in the international market. Yet they haven’t been successful in selling their products more aggressively. You want to know as to why be that so? It’s simply because they aren’t having a good marketing support and the cooperatives who work for selling their products are employed with people who are so bad in English so as to go and communicate well to International clientele. And those arts dealers who are good in English are even today living a luxurious life at the cost of those artisans, by paying only fraction of prices to them.

Also the scope of knowledge among the Kannada writers is absolutely minute. They are so ill informed about the National and International issues. Many columnists, I could find, are so ill mannered in their language and continue to attract people to read them with their bad mannered and foul words. You can never be wise by sticking yourself to Kannada literature of these people, can you?

I am of the firm belief that it’s only when people who have knowledge of the English and Internet continue to love, read and write in Kannada is that we can resurrect the whole language and add more prospect to it. On contrary to this, you will never attract English educated intellectuals to come and write in Kannada by shouting in fowl languages to English. Let me know if you think otherwise.

Kannada’s heritage, as like India’s heritage, has been one that has been so receptive to thoughts and knowledge from all the parts of the world. We were so rich and resourceful at times in history, especially during the times of Vijaya Nagara Empire, owing to our receptiveness to scholars from all parts of India. We have never claimed glory and yet the glory always came our way, owing exclusively to our culture. This cultural heritage of Kannada has to be preserved if we have to resurrect it.

History of the world, at least until now, recalls Kannadigas among those who were highly principled and cultured. Bashing or ill-treating someone is not our legacy. Let’s not invite such a alien legacy, of demeaning protests, to protect ours. If Kannada is the body it cannot survive without its soul – which is its culture. Let’s bear that in mind.

My Editorial on Aseema [November 2007 issue]

Dear Reader,

In India, it seems, people have lost a complete track of the outside world. No one seems to be interested in international politics. ‘When we have our own problems to deal with why should we be bothered about the outside world?’ suggested a friend of mine while giving his opinion about the past issue of our magazine - Aseema.

Simply speaking, we have developed a tendency in ourselves to believe that the world is not for us. Why this mindset is domineering majority of Indians? I am unable to understand. But what I can certainly say, with a definite amount of buoyancy, is: This is not good.

Being home to the world’s second largest population we simply aren’t masses of people. We, as a nation, are custodians of a great legacy which was first to preach the world about ‘Peace’. We are certainly a part and parcel of this great nation which, we must never forget, also happens to be part of the world.

When in Burma peaceful pro-democratic protesters are viciously battered we simply turn a blind eye. When Iran is going haywire with its irrational and illogical statements against the international order – we are little perturbed. We are blindly being driven by the dynamics of economics. Nothing to Indians is more enduring than their personal ’sense gratifications’. Let alone the world, how much are we really interested about our Nation itself is a matter of grave concern.

A great part of responsibility is to vest with the Media. Indians, a recent poll says, watch more News than Entertainment Channels. We have on records more than 200 channels all filled with insanity. The entertainment channels have little more than ‘Saans Bahu’ serials and the movies they show, over and over again, are of little interest to the viewers. Because of which they are turning more towards the news channel.

Filled with ‘String Operation’ videos and criminal stories there is hardly anything else in it. People around the corners of this country, evidently, are finding them more interesting than anything else. Considering this sad, but true, fact - that people are fast loosing their interest in books, and television being their new addiction they have no place for feeding their entertainment appetite than these news channels which are completely shaking the sensibilities of these viewers. Given there aren’t enough values of journalism in them their arrogance is badly setting a bad precedence to the viewers.

Let me take for a moment the recent case of a Muslim boy being found dead on the railway tracks after having married to a Hindu girl. Though there aren’t good evidences to prove that he was murdered - the media is simply pushing harder to prove the girls father and police to be shown as ‘Culprits’. Why is it so? Why are this media trying to take on extra burden of delivering Justice when its own responsibilities lie in the filthy ditches? Who are they to deliver the verdict?

Everyday media brings a story of corruption in the political hierarchy. They claim to ‘unveil’ the true face of the poor India – don’t they? But what are they really doing to inspire people to work in the direction. ‘It’s better to leave this country and settle abroad’ said a young chap to me when asked as to what he thinks of doing after his education. The media to this country is self defeating. Instead of being a watch dog it has become a ‘mad dog’ – let’s have little doubts. Having untamed and left alone in public they are willing to do anything to raise their viewer ship ratings. Just anything!

Journalist’s work is not to pass a judgment as many seem to believe. Their work is to inform and educate the people. They may certainly entertain, but not at the cost of national interest. They certainly don’t serve a national interest by bringing in family disputes to the national spectators. Do they?

To be frank I don’t they are journalist anymore. For a journalist his priority is to seek information and educate his viewers or readers what is true. But, sadly, for them all that matters is viewer ship ratings and sponsorships. Businessmen too couldn’t define their nature of profession – they are Mercenaries, in every sense.

But the point to be noted is who are going to tame those journalists? In the world where people die hard for publicity I don’t think politicians would ever be doing that. It is for people to raise their voice. But will they?

We all at Aseema have determined that we will try in our best possible way to inform those who are willing to learn about the true happenings. We don’t want to brood over the past neither we want to waste much time bashing those unethical mercenaries (whom we term as journalists) and their media. We would continue to be a free and fair media, as we have always been. Should we have raised bars of readership and advertising or not, we will stay in the line. This is our promise and we will stay true to it.

Before I conclude let me wish you all a wonderful Deepavali. May you be blessed with peace and prosperity!

U. Mahesh Prabhu
Executive Editor

Reminiscing a Legend: T. Ramesh U Pai

Leadership for me is a peak, like Mt. Everest. A person has to climb the daunting mountain facing countless challenges and obstacles. Given these challenges, not many are willing to take risks required, even though they may desire it to scale. The mountaineers are scare and rare are the ones who prepare themselves to scale the peak. Thus only handfuls reach the top. Late T. Ramesh U. Pai, who was among the late founding fathers of Manipal, is one such person; I had opportunity in my life to work with. At a very tender age of sixteen years he began his profession as an informal PA to ‘founder’ of Manipal Late Dr. TMA Pai. As many know Dr. Pai was a great dreamer. From envisioning a vast and internationally acclaimed center for education until founding dozens of academic institutions – his achievement, even to this day is largely unparalleled. Rightfully he was awarded by Government of India the fourth most civil honor – Padmashri.

But the achievement by itself was not a job of one man. It was a team effort, beyond doubt, and the man who assembled and organized this team was this statesman – Ramesh Pai. Any elderly person, who had his association with the Pais of Manipal, would express the unassuming colossus of this charismatic genius.

While Dr. Pai dreamed, Ramesh would chase it. This was how they built Manipal and its prestigious institutions of excellence. It was exclusively because of his caliber that he became the rightful Chairman of the Group and not simply for his seniority by age.

I met him for the first time in his office at Syndicate House in Manipal. I was introduced to him by his elder son, who is even to this day one of my best friends – T Sudhakar Pai. Sudhakar had been a great pillar of strength to me during my formative years in profession. He was certainly my first Boss, but at the same time was also my mentor. With all his short comings he was, and is, adorable person to me.

Of those countless meetings, I had with Rameshmam (as he was affectionately known) each time I was educated as well as inspired by him. For those who don’t know: In 1994 there was attempt by his brothers and cousins to oust him from the Chairmanship of the Group under lame excuse that he was trying to promote his son Sudhakar as his successor.

For a man of his calibre it was certainly not difficult to play vile games to turn the tables. Yet in the larger interest of his institutions, for which he had worked so hard for countless days and sleepless nights without proper remuneration, he stepped down. But the dirty linen was being continued to wash in the public by the members of the other clan. But undeterred by them, he continued to forge ahead with the institutions which he could retain which included: Maha Rastra Apex Ltd and Karnataka Consumer Products Ltd (now Kurlon). He answered to those allegations only when he considered necessary.

I asked him once as to why didn’t he fight for control of the educational institutions which included Kasturba Medical College, TA Pai Management Institute and Manipal Institute of Technology, which he himself had built. His answer would be ‘Education is Saraswati and not Lakshmi.’

For him, as well as Dr Pai, education was sacred. It was not something for them to mint money. They built it with passion in the greater interest of the country. When starting even kindergarten was a dream for millions, they took the brave step of starting the country’s first private Medical College at a place which was little more than a barren hill.

I remember one of mentor, who is also among the India’s most celebrated journalist, M V Kamath saying ‘When I used to come to Manipal then Dr. Pai would show us huge mass of barren land pointing which he would say what he planned to build there.’ Such was their passion.

The second disaster of his life, according to me, came when his brain child Maha Rastra Apex Corp Ltd had to seek extra time from its depositor for repayment. Two meeting for amicable settlement with the depositor which he had called was boycotted miserably. The people who had been enriched by him, it seemed, were no more interested to believe in him. His persistent promises fell on deaf ears. Many of his friends condemned him, but the people who truly believed in him stayed along. The man who had touched the pinnacle of glory was now seeing right in front of his eyes a misery, at age which gives so minimal energy. What would have he felt at that point of time? I am unable to realize.

I have been never a judge of a person when he is at the glory. Every body is fine and happy when at the peak of their life. But it’s very difficult to hold the line - under fire. Rameshmam became my deity during this time. I have watched him going to office and work hard for the same number of hours, fourteen to be precise, until 26^th January 2005, the day when departed for his heavenly abode.

He was born on this day – October 22. I take this opportunity to admit my deepest and heartfelt salutations on to him for his colossal achievement. Rameshmam my sincere admiration for the work many failed to recognize you with – Building of Manipal.

U Mahesh Prabhu | October 18, 2007 | indiamahesh@gmail.com

There might not be anything as complex as and dirtier than Indian Politics. The current controversy over 'Ram-Sethu' and 'Existence of Ram' might just be one testimony to the fact.

When Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) filed an affidavit in the court stating 'there isn't scientific evidence to prove the existence of Ram...', it created a deep sense of unrest, not just among the people in the Sangh Parivar but also among those Hindus for whom Ram is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

There was a great deal of dissatisfaction against the move by the Congress led UPA Government for almost twenty-four hours after which the Congress made a complete 'U' Turn to reinstate Ram in the Indian Pantheon. All the spot lights were then on Sonia Gandhi and was presented as a 'Champion of a Hindu cause' by our media. But was she? Certainly not! Though she took the cognisance of Hindu feelings, she did nothing to stop the destruction of Ram-Sethu. It was, to be frank, a smart move by the Congress to devour BJP of its core agenda - Ram. This they did at the time when there were, and is, too much of uncertainties over the Party's leadership in the next Loksabha elections.

ASI, which had filed the affidavit, is a part of Cultural Ministry headed by Congress's leader Ambika Soni, who is a Christian by faith and not Hindu as many assume. Some rumours, it seems were spread by the party itself, that Soni had fallen apart with Sonia. H R Bharadwaj's, union law minister's, statement in clarification to the Congress's stand on the whole issue indirectly suggested that 'it was' perhaps 'a ploy by a piqued loyalist to show the boss by embarrassing the government.'

But could it be? Given the fact that 'Soni is not going to leave the party’; the assumption of her challenging Sonia falls flat. So did Sonia and Congress's win? Yes, certainly! But for a very short time! Thanks to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's (MK) statement they were bailed out, almost instantaneously.

'Some say there was a person over 17 lakh years ago. His name was Ramar. Do not touch the bridge (Ram Sethu) constructed by him, they are saying. But then, from which engineering college had he graduated? Is there a proof for this?' said Karunanidhi, an atheist himself, in a public rally. The statement was enough for the Hindutva brigade to make the charge and demand from him an apology. But MK was reluctant and forged further on his remarks to add '...neither Valmiki nor Ram is here now (to touch for claims of Ram's existence). There is only a group of people that think of people as fools. They will be proved wrong.' This won him a deep friendship with the Communist who offered him their full support, isolating the congress almost completely.

'I dare him to challenge the heads of other faith' said BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. But that was not to catch anyone's attention, let alone MK's. There was further drama when Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) leader, and former Bharatiya Janata Party MP, Ramvilas Vendanti issued a death sentence, what media dubbed with Islamic 'Fatwa', against Karunanidhi on September 21.

The media got their favourite whipping boy, VHP, and diverted their total concentration on them. VHP were perhaps 'forced' to take such extreme steps when MK went on records to say that 'Ram was drunkard according to Valmiki...’ For people to whom Ram 'had set the highest example of righteousness, as a obedient son, caring husband, great citizen, king and a warrior par excellence' the statement was no less than blasphemous an 'intentional effort to hurt their religious sentiment'. Their patience was perhaps tested to the extreme by now, for no wrong reason of theirs. Writes, in this regard, noted Hindutva writer Tarun Vijay: 'One Diwali our Shankaracharya was arrested and then Muslims were given reservations in job and educational institutions. No one ever, not even once, has shown concern for Kashmiri Hindu Refugees; rather Illegal Migrants Detention Act was brought and when Supreme Court struck it down was brought through the back door.'

But while there was so much of coverage, in detail, on the whole episode starting from Ram Sethu to the existence of Ram himself, the media failed to find the reason as to Why is Karunanidhi questioning the existence of Ram? It was not an instantaneous response from the aging leader. It has a deep root in the history of Tamil Nadu and dates back to 1914 when Dr. C. Nadesan Mudaliar started the Dravida Association with objective of 'helping Dravidian People in the south'.

The association was inherent in its doctrine 'for the separation of the Aryan North and Dravidian South; and the destruction of the southern Brahmins were necessary because they were the true agents of the Aryan North.' In Tamil Nadu Ravana is seen as a South Indian prince and his defeat by Rama is interpreted by the Tamils as the 'subjugation of a nationalist', not the downfall of a demon. Perhaps this was the reason why Ramayana was burnt in this part of the world once. What MK is doing, or better put trying to do, is to revoke the past, of which he was one of the champions.

He and his party Dravida Munnetara Kazagham (DMK), is based on its uncanny belief on the 'Aryan Invasion Theory' propounded by a few European Historians, then, in order to prove the supremacy of Christianity, and to serve the purpose: 'Divide and Conquer the Hindus'. After the departure of British, Communist Historians like Romila Thapar, Satish Chandra, K M Pannicker, R S Sharma, D N Jha and Irfan Habib spread and advocated this myth with insane insights and misinterpretations. Thanks, also, to the lunacy of our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, this thought was even hailed by him in his book 'Discovery of India' because of which this myth was further forged.

Dravidian pride or nationalism need not depend upon the Aryan Invasion Theory or denigrating the culture of North India. The, so called, Dravidians have long been one of the most important peoples of India and have been the preservers of Vedic Culture itself. The best Vedic Sanskrit, rituals and traditions can be found only in the Indian South.

Importantly the word 'Arya' in Sanskrit was never a racial term, but a title for respect. Even Dravidian king, for MK's information, named themselves Aryan. Hence to place Aryans against Dravidians as a term is a misuse of language, being done by MK's party for over decades now.
Be that as it may, the Aryan and Dravidian divide by itself has failed to prove itself. Then it is certainly a good question to ask Karunanidhi: as to why is he still hanging on to his Dravidian thoughts? That too when the belief by itself has no basis? Given the fact 'Biologically both Aryans and Dravidians are of the same Caucasian type, only when closer to equator the skin gets darker.' is a strong evidence for MK to come out of his lunatic Dravidian thoughts and legacy. But will he ever disown it? I think he should, along with his communist friends, after all, all that they need is a scientific proof. Are you listening Mr. MK? Are you there Mr. Prakash Karat? Hello!

U Mahesh Prabhu | 23 September 2007 | indiamahesh@gmail.com

Towards God...?

'The whole world is moving towards God, would Your Excellency not wish to join?' said Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in a letter to his American counterpart - George Bush. This kind of a letter, for your information, is not new and is simply a continuance of tradition instituted by Prophet Muhammad.

In 625 AD, after having consolidated his position in Medina and having established a secured power base for Islam Prophet dictated three letters: to Khosrow Parviz, the Persian 'King of Kings', a Zoroastrian; and to Emperor Heraclius of Byzantium and the Ethiopian monarch Negus, who were Christians by faith. The Prophet's offer to the three recipients of his letters was: 'Convert to Islam and secure a place in paradise or cling to your beliefs and face the sword of Islam.'

The Persian monarch, apparently angered that Muhammad had put his own name before that of the 'King of King', ordered his security services to find the 'insolent letter writer' and bring him to the court in Ctesiphon, the capital of the Persian Empire at the time. According to Islamic folklore Muhammad escaped capture by the King of Kings' agents only because, soon after the incident, Khosrow Parviz was murdered by his son and designated heir. Within a decade of this incident the Persian Empire had disintegrated with most of its territory falling to the armies of 'Islam'.

Ayathollah Khomeini's letter came with a similar response to a message sent by Gorbachev through his ambassador Vladimir Vingradov, offering the Islamic Republic a strategic partnership with the United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). Mikhail Gorbachev wanted the Islamic Republic to help him prevent the victory of the US-backed Islamist Mujahedin in Afghanistan. In exchange, Gorbachev would support the Islamic Republic in the face of mounting American pressure. Khomeini, however, was not interested in that kind of deal-making. As a good Muslim leader he would not be satisfied with having 'something'. He, perhaps, wanted everything. Thus he composed a letter inviting Gorbachev to convert to Islam before he could recieve help in Afghanistan or anywhere else. Needless to say the Soviet leader 'polietly' declined.

Despite it's many spelling and grammatical errors, written with naive undergraduate style, Ahmadinejad's letter contained a crucial message that: the present regime in Iran is the enemy of the current international system and is, certainly, determined to undermine and, if at all possible, destroy it. It has now been confirmed that 'Ahmadinejad believes that hidden Imam is about to return and that it is the duty of the Islamic Republic to provoke a 'clash of civilizations' to hasten that return. As he asserts in his letter, Ahmadinejad also believes that 'the liberal democratic model of market-based capitalist societies has failed and is rejected even in its traditional homeland'.

Ahmadinejad has been impressed by the extent of recent riots in France in which the extreme Left provided the leadership while the Muslim sub-proletariat offered much of the muscle in the streets. All this, and more, makes Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a subject of hate to majority in the 'civilized' society.

Apart from that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad repeated his well-known intent to 'erase' Israel from the map last Friday with a new twist: 'Israel is a rotten, dried tree that will be annihilated in one storm.' The history at times takes weird twists and turn. During the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, the current regime was not considered problematic by Israelis. At that time, Jerusalem saw Teheran as its strategic ally against Baghdad, then under the Saddam's regime. The situation has reversed because of the fact that Ahmadinejad is a political novoice with a streak of ultra-nationalist tendencies – all poised to make situation for Iran worse.

Writes M J Akbar:

'The Manmohan Singh government wants to bind India into a strategic relationship with the United States, specifically targeted against Iran (in writing) for starters but developing into a larger axis of the kind that America once had with Pakistan through the Baghdad pact. This was sweetened by much talk of nuclear energy on rather salty terms, intrusive, expensive and imbalanced'

But is there a better way to confine the Iranians? I think that's the issue we aren't really debating. Muslims still find themselves aligned with the Iranians. Non-Muslims, should they like it or not, have to aline in such cases with the Americans whose President, it seems, prefers to let the weapons do the talking, even when he claims to be engaging in diplomacy. Sadly, there is hardly any much difference between the two President. Both are fanatics in their own aspects.

By denying the Holocaust and Suffering of Jewish people Ahmadinejad has endeared himself to Muslims. By his diplomatic and hawkish posturing, has managed to earn more enemies for Iran during the past year and a half than the leaders of Islamic Republic have over the past quarter century or so.

With inputs from fronliners it looks as if Americans have already made up their mind to attack Iran. It's now only a matter of 'when' than 'if'. Accoding to Oxford Research Group upto 10,000 people would die immediately if the US bombed Iran's nuclear site. If the US uses nuclear weapons, such as earth penetrating bunker buster bombs, radio active fallout would become even more disastorous.

Says Aijaz Zaka Syed of Khaleej Times:

'Although Iran doesn't have nuclear weapons – at least not yet – to stave off aggression, it has other options of retaliating. It boasts a standing army of 450,000 troops as well as long range missiles that could hit Israel an even Europe. More importantly, a desperate Iran can play a havoc with the global economy by blocking strait of Hormuz through which much of the world oil supply is routed.'

I don't know as to whether the world is moving towards God. But these two leaders are certain to push to world to brink of disaster. We are on our way to war and not God, that is for sure.

U. Mahesh Prabhu | September 22, 2007 | indiamahesh@gmail.com

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