MIM's Insolent Aggression

Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen(MIM) party MLAs disregarded their stature of being law makers, they shamelessly attacked & hurled disgusting abuses at Taslima Nasreen with the help from their party activists. When journalist and organisers intervened, even they were attacked and press club property was damaged. MIM floor leader of the state assembly, Mr. Akbaruddin Owaisi declared that he is very proud of his MLAs & activists for attacking an unarmed lady for their perceived insult to islam. Being peoples representatives, They clearly demonstrated that they are no good to represent people of their constituency and have no respect for the constitution, which they took oath to protect and serve. Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi clearly states that his muslim identity is more important to him than being a legislator:

"We are not bothered about our MLA status. We are Muslims first. And its our responsibility to test those who have said anything against Islam in which ever way possible".

Even after that statement, MIM MLAs didn't resign as mark of respect to the chair, instead MIM President Sultan Salauddin Owaisi praised assailants and said that his party is ready for bigger sacrifices!. Akbaruddin Owaisi has said that anyone who commits blasphemy against islam deserved to be beheaded. MLA, Mr. Muqtada Afasr Khan has said that they would kill Taslima Nasreen, if she comes to city again!

Anyways, Such people should not hold office in our pluralistic and secular society. MIM always treated old city as its private domain and it hindered other political parties from serving people there with its intimidation & aggression. Presence of our own police force in the old city is considered as intrusion and recently, they were not even allowed to patrol the rioting areas. Such is the influence MIM sways in the old city. Below are the few images concerning MIM's MP Mr. Asaduddain Owaisi (s/o MIM Leader Mr. Sultan Salauddin Owaisi):

Owaisi argues with south zone Deputy Commissioner of Police(DCP) to leave the place. Later, DCP was transfered.

Owaisi and MIM party activists ban police entry.

Owaisi with the commander hasan hubullah of shiite terrorist organization, hezbollah.
The above photos are courtesy of Hyderabadonline

Legislators who doesn't respect law of the land and who associate with terrorist organization in the foreign land should not be allowed to serve the public but MIM being ally of ruling government and also being skilled in using minority tag, it would be wishful thinking to expect any substantial action. This is evident from the reluctance of police to file earnest charges against the MLAs despite the evidence and demands from the reporters to file attempt to murder charges. In spite of this, MLAs were given bail on the same day of their arrests. Defiance shown by the perpetrators and lack of indignation from the so-called secularist only reveals the true nature of secularism in this country!.

Update: Last few days, local urdu newspapers are fuming over MIM's missed opportunity to murder Taslima and none are finding such writings outrageous!. Even after MLAs blatantly threatened Taslima's life, Police are hesitant in registering cases against MIM MLAs under section 307 of IPC and the Chief Minister is conspicuously silent.

Winning is all that eventually matters!

Last year, Sania Mirza and Shahar Peer of Israel had teamed-up for the doubles tournament in Bangkok and reached up to quarter-finals. They wished to continue their pair in Bangalore's doubles tournament in February 2006 but subsequent protests from Indian Muslims had forced Sania to announced that she would not play with Israeli:

"Mirza initially agreed to play with Pe’er in Bangalore, but later retracted, telling Pe’er “It’s best that we don’t play together this time to prevent protests against my cooperation with an Israeli. There is no reason to arouse their ire (Muslims)."

I was saddened and disappointed for the manner in which she was intimidated to change her doubles partner and also for imposing muslim's essential hatred towards Israel on a sport. For a moment, i forgot the fact that Sania's display of arrogance is due to her vanity and not for being self-respecting and courageous.

This year, Sania had performed pathetically in various tournaments and her ranking plunged from being 31st at the end of 2005 to current 45th position. In doubles too she did not had worth mentioning success and in view of this, again she wants to partner with Shahar in doubles tournament, despite the criticism and ignoring the apprehension which she had expressed just last month and also it made her to realize that:

"You shouldn't mix up sports with anything else," the 19-year-old told Reuters at the March 8-19 tournament in Indian Wells.

and she goes further to add:

"If I had to follow the stereotype of what a woman athlete should be in India, then I wouldn't be playing tennis because there aren't many girls who pick up rackets when they are six. If you believe it's right, if your loved ones believe it's right, then it's right."

Then just a month ago, where did this reasoning & resolve gone?. By the way, When talking about women athletes in India, She should remember that tennis players like Sanaa or Ankita or Shikha Uberoi or Rushmi Chakravarthi have not faced any ire over their outfits or on any other issue from anyone, So she should not make generalize statement over women athletes in India to describe her problems with muslim community. Perhaps she doesn't want to face another angry protest from muslims!.

Is Sania opportunistic in desiring to team up with Shahar again in wake of her dismal performances and especially after her last month's apprehension?, i'm not sure.. But in the end, winning is all that eventually matters!.

Over silly cartoons!

Our hyderabadi muslim brethren were bit late in registering their protest against the depiction of Muhammad in the cartoons published by the Danish newspaper but nevertheless not to be left out, Today afternoon they finally protested in style by burning Kingdom of Denmark's flag, throwing stones on the passers, city's public transport buses(thereby breaking window glasses and hurting people traveling inside these buses, which include women & children), rampaging on streets and violently destroying public & private property.

In the old city(where majority of hyderabadi muslims reside) after performing their friday namaz(muslim prayer) they poured on to the streets with some green flags, perhaps their conscience was finally awakened during the namaz for not giving befitting reply to perceived abuse from Danish newspaper and started rampaging on the innocent people. In the past, law enforcement authority had proposed to install cameras at key locations in the city and also at some mosques due to then regular disturbance caused by our muslim brethren using those mosque premises, which was vehemently opposed by minority leaders and protested by asking rather a innocent question, that why they were singled out?. Later, under pressure from various political groups, this proposal was not even considered, instead government has increased number of police stations in the region but still they are not adequate to monitor the interiors of the old city. Members of rapid action force, a paramilitary unit which is deployed permanently in the area because of the past outbursts of our Muslim brethren and in the view of sensitiveness of this area, were helplessly watching the rampage of the mob since they were outnumbered. But few of the personal were quite glad in their inaction and that they were not in the harms way as their leisurely attitude suggested. Finally when reinforcements arrived, police personal were effective in controlling the situation.

Later, It was informed to me that our muslim brethren had difficulty in acquiring Denmark's flag because many of them heard this name (country/city:- whatever) for the first time!. If they would asked me, then i would suggest them to get any western nation's flag, preferably USA or Britain (their favorite great Satans) since in their eyes all those christian majority nations are same, eventually they will lump Denmark with the other western nations, so why scratch their head for this scandinavian country?. If anyone complains about the accuracy then may i point that most of these people had not even seen those said objectionable cartoons or Importantly Denmark's government is not a party in publishing those cartoons, so why bother?

All in all, I must express my gratitude to our muslim brethren for not killing anyone of us over silly cartoons, as their counterparts did in other parts of the world, even though i believe the honour should go to our security personals for quelling the mob. Whew!!!, i'm still alive!.

Condom vending machines: Serious aberration?

In today's Deccan Edition it was reported, that on Monday women from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind held protest rally in Chennai against installing condom vending machines in public places. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind women's wing convener Fathima Jalal Said:

"The government is spreading condom culture through these vending machines under the pretext of fighting AIDS. By this our society will grow more permissive and our youth will be ruined"

People who express such ridiculous views need to take serious note of graveness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The fact that at least 5.1 million people are living in India with HIV refutes their claim, that the society will become more permissive, to the contrary, figures suggest that we are already more indulgent and its better to accept the fact & should take precautions than denying it. Since we are having world's second largest HIV infected population and considering that 20 million people had already died all around the world and 40 million are effected with HIV, we need to be much more sensible and be proactive in dealing with the crisis. Fathima goes further by announcing that:

"The rally today is just the beginning. We will not rest until all these machines are removed. We will involve all the women's organisations, not just Muslim, in our fight against this dangerous decision,"

Also Government-appointed chief qazi, Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub declares:

"Islam prohibited use of condoms. This is not a right move"

Protesters displayed placards, which states that:

Condom vending machines are a "serious aberration" and they condemn it. They also proclaimed that the only way to protect society against HIV/AIDS is "to fear God and change our lifestyle".

These machines are placed in public places for easy accessibility and to encourage their use. These religious fanatics have no business demanding anything in our secular, free & pluralistic society. Importantly, none are alluring these religious people to use them!, they can die their own death when contracted with AIDS but they cannot take away others right to have easy access to condoms, so they can safeguard against this epidemic!.

Narrow Minded Sania Mirza!

These are the remarks of our esteemed youth icon, the Sania Mirza:

"I would like to clearly say on record that I could not possibly justify pre-marital sex as it is a very big sin in Islam and one which I believe will not be forgiven by Allah," Sania, a devout Muslim, said in the statement.

"Attributing a view point that is totally contrary to what I believe in and what I stand for as a Muslim and as an Indian girl,"

She had also denied that her remarks at the summit that whether her dress was six inches in length was not made in the context of fatwa issued on the subject.

First, She has right to have her opinion but holding such primitive views raise questions to those people, who exemplify her as a youth icon. What kind of impression this would make on those people, who hold everything about her in reverence? and those who wish to emulate her?. Indian media needs to be careful with a person, who they choose as a role model for Indian youth and to represent her as symbol of indian sport.

Ps: I will resume my posting in the last week of November or first week of the December.

Our Savior: Jessica Simpson!

Sify reported that:

Dukes of Hazzard star Jessica Simpson says she wants to do missionary work in a bid to save the world.

"We'd still like to do some mission work, visit Third World countries - I have this whole plan to save the world," Fox News quoted Jessica as telling OK! magazine in an interview.

I hail our new savior Jessica Simpson!, She wants to save people like me(a pagan) in the third world countries from burning their soul in hell for eternity. I wish her good luck in harvesting souls in this third world, which is already crowded with evangelists and sincerely wish that she could manage to save enough souls(if not the entire world) for herself to secure a place in heaven!.

Section 377 of IPC

There was a protest in Mumbai by human rights activists calling for a ban on section 377 of IPC. According to News source we have inherited this law from British in 1860 and we continue it even after British themselves had discarded it. As per the news item, this law terms:

homosexuality as an unnatural act and is punishable with life imprisonment. It implies that people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender are criminals.

They also say that what is considered 'against the order of nature' is actually just how some people express their love or sexuality.

I completely agree with the above statement. I believe sexual preference is one's personal choice and state has no business in interfering in it. This law may have been passed due to religious compulsions of british in those days and this explains such harsh punishment but this kind of primitive laws have no place in present society. There are few irrational laws in IPC as this, which have been inherited from the British, they need to be revised or scrapped.

Is proselytizing violence against humanity?

Srivatsannin Kirrukkal wrote a sincere blog on intolerance of Islam and Christianity towards other religions and this was followed by Joseph's reply in his blog, this led to fervor in the debate on the issue & the proselytizing. There are many people who vouch that it is the people who are intolerant not the religion itself, they have their compulsions to say so, but when we consider the opinion of people who have profound knowledge of all religious text, they speak otherwise. Insecurities of Hindus & other indic religions against proselytizing is least understood and less debated issue, Usually people who raise these issues are labeled as Hindu fanatics or digress from the topic with irrelevant or personal remarks and this way they could discredit the person and their concerns and arguments, therefore they can avoid the discussion. In contentious issues as this, there is always a possibility of a discussion becoming a open brawl. It would help us, if we follow ancient Hindu tradition of engaging the 'other' using a technique called "purvapaksha" This means you must first study the other's viewpoint very seriously and become an expert in it, Only then can you debate against it. This helps us to understand each others viewpoint clearly and this allows us to focus on issue on the hand & its contention.

Many people think that the strife between Christians(missionaries) and Hindus & other indic religions is a recent one because of rise of right-wing extremism, but this is due to lack of forum to address growing insecurities of Hindus and other religions, which arise from fraudulent conversions and inability of the administration to control immoral missionary activities, such as inducements for conversions, making defamatory & false remarks against other religions, using violence to intimidate people to convert and protection/support received by Christian terrorists from the church, this approach is mostly used in North-Eastern States & tribal regions and providing charity to only those who are willing to convert, as observed during tsunami relief efforts. Missionary activities became more subtle when compared to their open protection and encouragement received during british rule, it should also be noted that conversion and social unrest was one of the cause for 1857 revolt along with other reasons.

Here is the views of Mahatma Gandhi on Christian missionaries in India, This was compiled by Swami Aksharananda (Track No. 010119.1, Jan. 19, 2001) and produced by Vidya Bharati.

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I Call Myself a Sanatani Hindu

I call myself a Sanatani Hindu, because I believe in the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, and all that goes by the name of Hindu scripture, and therefore in avataras and rebirth; I believe in the varnashrama dharma in a sense, in my opinion strictly Vedic but not in its presently popular crude sense; I believe in the protection of cow … I do not disbelieve in murti puja. (Young India: June 10, 1921)

Why I am Not a Convert

Hinduism as I know it entirely satisfies my soul, fills my whole being … When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and when I see not one ray of light on the horizon, I turn to the Bhagavad Gita, and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. My life has been full of tragedies and if they have not left any visible and indelible effect on me, I owe it to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. (Young
India: June 8, 1925)

I Disbelieve in Conversion

I disbelieve in the conversion of one person by another. My effort should never to be to undermine another's faith. This implies belief in the truth of all religions and, therefore, respect for them. It implies true humility. (Young India: April 23, 1931)
Conversion: Impediment to Peace

It is impossible for me to reconcile myself to the idea of conversion after the style that goes on in India and elsewhere today. It is an error which is perhaps the greatest impediment to the world's progress toward peace … Why should a Christian want to convert a Hindu to Christianity? Why should he not be satisfied if the Hindu is a good or godly man? (Harijan: January 30, 1937)

No Such Thing as Conversion

I believe that there is no such thing as conversion from one faith to another in the accepted sense of the word. It is a highly personal matter for the individual and his God. I may not have any design upon my neighbour as to his faith which I must honour even as I honour my own. Having reverently studied the scriptures of the world I could no more think of asking a Christian or a Musalman, or a Parsi or a Jew to change his faith than I would think of changing my own. (Harijan:
September 9, 1935)

No Conversion Designs Upon Me

I am not interested in weaning you from Christianity and making you Hindu, and I do not relish your designs upon me, if you had any, to convert me to Christianity. I would also dispute your claim that Christianity is the only true religion. (Harijan: June 3, 1937)

Conversion

Conversion must not mean denationalization. Conversion should mean a definite giving up of the evil of the old, adoption of all the good of the new and a scrupulous avoidance of everything evil in the new. Conversion, therefore, should mean a life of greater dedication to one's country, greater surrender to God, greater self-purification. (Young India: August 20, 1925)

Aping of Europeans and Americans

As I wander about through the length and breath of India I see many Christian Indians almost ashamed of their birth, certainly of their ancestral religion, and of their ancestral dress. The aping of Europeans by Anglo-Indians is bad enough, but the aping of them by Indian converts is a violence done to their country and, shall I say, even to their new religion. (Young India: August 8, 1925)

Why Should I Change My Religion

I hold that proselytisation under the cloak of humanitarian work is unhealthy to say the least. It is most resented by people here. Religion after all is a deeply personal thing. It touches the heart. Why should I change my religion because the doctor who professes Christianity as his religion has cured me of some disease, or why should the doctor expect me to change whilst I am under his influence? (Young India: April 23, 1931)

Missionary Aim: Uprooting Hinduism

My fear is that though Christian friends nowadays do not say or admit it that Hindu religion is untrue, they must harbour in their breast that Hinduism is an error and that Christianity, as they believe it, is the only true religion…so far as one can understand the present (Christian) effort, it is to uproot Hinduism from her very foundation and replace it by another faith. (Harijan: March 13, 1937)

Undermining People's Faith

The first distinction I would like to make … between your missionary work and mine is that while I am strengthening the faith of people, you (missionaries) are undermining it. (Young India: November 8, 1927)

Physician Heal Yourself

Conversion nowadays has become a matter of business, like any other…India (Hindus) is in no need of conversion of this kind… Conversion in the sense of self-purification, self-realisation is the crying need of the times. That however is never what is meant by proselytisation. To those who would convert India (Hindus), might it not be said, "Physician, heal yourself." (Young India: April 23, 1931)

Missionaries: Vendors of Goods

When the missionary of another religion goes to them, he goes like a vendor of goods. He has no special spiritual merit that will distinguish him from those to whom he goes. He does however possess material goods which he promises to those who will come to his fold. (Harijan: April 3, 1937)

If I had the Power and Could Legislate …

If I had the power and could legislate, I should stop all proselytizing … In Hindu households the advent of a missionary has meant the disruption of the family coming in the wake of change of dress, manners, language, food and drink … (November 5, 1935)

The Only Begotten Son of God?

I regard Jesus as a great teacher of humanity, but I do not regard him as the only begotten son of God. That epithet in its material interpretation is quite unacceptable. Metaphorically we are all sons of God, but for each of us there may be different sons of God in a special sense. Thus for me Chaitanya may be the only begotten son of God … God cannot be the exclusive Father and I cannot ascribe exclusive divinity to Jesus. (Harijan: June 3, 1937)

Western Christianity Today

It is my firm opinion that Europe (and the United States) does not represent the spirit of God or Christianity but the spirit of Satan. And Satan's successes are the greatest when appears with the name of God on his lips. (Young India: September 8, 1920)

Western Christianity (cont'd)

I consider western Christianity in its practical working a negation of Christ's Christianity. I cannot conceive Jesus, if he was living in flesh in our midst, approving of modern Christian organizations, public worship, or ministry. (Young India: September 22, 1921)

Christianity and Imperialistic Exploitation

Christianity in India has been inextricably mixed up for the last one hundred and fifty years with British rule. It appears to us as synonymous with materialistic civilization and imperialistic exploitation by the stronger white races of the weaker races of the world. Its contribution to India has been, therefore, largely negative. (Young India: March 21, 1929)

No Room For Them

In the manner in which they are working there would seem to be no room for them. Quite unconsciously they do harm to themselves and also to us. It is perhaps impertinent to say that they do harm to themselves, but quite pertinent to say that they do harm to us. They do harm to those amongst whom they work and those amongst whom they do not work, i.e., the harm is done to the whole of India… The more I study their activities the more sorry I become… It is a tragedy that
such a thing should happen to the human family. (Harijan: December 12, 1936)

Outrage!

Only the other day a missionary descended on a famine area with money in his pocket, distributed it among the famine stricken, converted them to his fold, took charge of their temple, and demolished it. This is outrageous. (Harijan: November 5, 1937)

Let the Hindu be a Better Hindu

I came to the conclusion long ago … that all religions were true and also that all had some error in them, and whilst I hold by my own, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism. So we can only pray, if we are Hindus, not that a Christian should become a Hindu … But our innermost prayer should be a Hindu should be a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Christian a better Christian. (Young India: January 19, 1928)

Welcome Them Back

If a person through fear, compulsion, starvation, or for material gain or consideration goes over to another faith, it is a misnomer to call it conversion. Most cases of conversion … have been to my mind false coin … I would therefore unhesitatingly re-admit to the Hindu fold all such repentants without much ado … If a man comes back to the original branch he deserves to be welcomed … in so far as he may deem to have erred, he has sufficiently purged himself of it when he repents his error and retraces his steps. (Collected Works: Vol. 66, pp. 163-164)

Charity and Evangelism

Union Cabinet has approved a draft bill seeking replacement of the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act

Foreign contributions and donations to scores of Indian voluntary organisations, religious groups and charitable institutions every year touch nearly Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion).

Which is the biggest foreign donor?

World Vision International, a United States-based Christian relief and development organisation, is the biggest donor agency for many Indian voluntary groups. World Vision released nearly Rs 95 crore for charitable purposes for Indian agencies last year. Other big donors are Foster Parents Plan International, USA and Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, USA.

In recent sting operation, Tehelka has exposed World Vision International's covert agenda of christian evangelism and Other donor Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is well known christian evangelical organization.

So is the US the biggest foreign donor for the Indian NGOs?

Yes. As per the latest available data with the Union home ministry, the US heads the list of donor countries to India with Rs 1,492.62 crore (Rs 14.926 billion), followed by the United Kingdom (Rs 677.59 crore), and Germany (Rs 664.51 crore).

Many secularists in India wish to believe that societies in USA & Europe(Western nations) are non religious in nature but these figures prove them wrong and to the contrary reveal their religious zeal.

Which are the Indian states that receive the largest foreign donations?

Among the states and Union Territories, Delhi is the leading recipient following by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

There should be a clause in FCRA to force religious & charitable organizationsto reveal about the amount of funds they spend on charity and evangelism. It should also be noted that there are many complaints(specially during tsunami relief efforts) against some Christian organizations that they provide monetary assistance through charities to only for those who are willing to convert. Being in a pluralistic society we should not allow any organization of any religious denomination to allure people through charity to convert one's faith.