Arundhati ‘Pakistani’ and ‘Patriotic’ Right-wingers

Re: # 107 Riaz

'".....what drives it is not merits of the issue but the politics of it..."

Are you really sure about it? or just guessing? Just guessing is my conclusion"

You do not know this, but when the Constitution of India was framed in 1950, the issue of personal laws was included as a temporary measure for only 10 years, and to come up for consideration periodically thereafter (which it does every election time). Every 10 years, the Parliament decides if the personal laws should be retained or eliminated. Bet you didn't know that! Indeed, the Constitution of India requires (through the Directive Principles of State Policy - check out India's Constitution on the Web) that 'the State shall endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for all citizens.'

So, why be surprised that it comes up from time to time during elections. But, through your foggy glasses you see a matter of public debate in India as 'hate politics'.

Riaz, your family left India in favor of Shariat, so it comes as no surprise that it you support continuation of personal laws (regardless of what it implies for women or your distant cousin sisters).

The day is not too far off when aspects of these personal laws are found to be in violation of fundamental human rights (it already was once - check out the 'Shah Bano Case'), and it will happen again. The Supreme Court has already begun to limit some of their most idiotic aspects (especially in the case of divorce).

Ciao.

Re: # 106

The rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a right wing conglomerate that had allies in the Hindu Nationalist RSS and Shiv Sena organizations, has had a major impact on the question of a Uniform Civil Code to replace the Personal Law which is preferred by Muslims. It's a pet issue for the Hindutva groups.

Note the emphasis in bold....what drives it is not merits of the issue but the politics of it.

The Kashmir special status issue is driven by the same politics of hate.

This is a continuation of Modi politics of division and hate in Gujarat. I hope the Indians reject it again nationally, as they did in 2004....when the typical urban middle class voter (with BJP sympathies) did not turn out to vote and Congress benefited from the rural voter turn-out.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Re: # 103

SPY Ram does not need a mandir!

What is more important is the equality of all citizens of India? Uniform Civil Code is extremely important - it would provide for a more uniform platform for all citizens to measure themselves from - men, women, hindus, muslims, etc. No one will then feel "left out" - and there will be equitability in law.

Article 370. That is an interesting point. This has made the kashmiris the richest in the country, and their politicians the richest (this includes the people from the APHC).

Re: # 103 SPY

"...SOme of its loophoes are misused by the Indian muslim men against Indian muslim women, which needs to be opposed...."

You didn't have to say that! For folks like Riaz, who like to wear religion on their sleeves, the Muslim Personal Laws are fine (the women be damned, though!)

''Terror czar Sufi Mohammad’s son Kifyatullah has been killed in shelling''
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/p akistan/13+sufi+mohammads+son+killed+in+shelling--za-09

I HOPE NOW HE REALIZES HOW IT IS WHEN HE KILLS INNOCENT PEOPLE.

Re: # 92 Riaz: BJP agenda has three core issues - construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya (and it's clear as daylight that BJP supporters destroyed Babri Mosque), implementation of the uniform civil Code and abolition of the constitution's Article 370 granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir. This would help the BJP retain its committed voters who support it for pursuing a 'hardline Hindutva' agenda.

Not entirely true. I am very much opposed to the BJP (and in fact cast my election vote in opposition to BJP today) but still want the three core issues to be settled rightly and as per the law.

There is enough technology / expertise available to find out if a Ram temple existed on the same site prior to the Babri mosque. If yes than the temple should be created otherwise the mosque should be created. Simple. I believe the government / courts are not taking this route as it is a sensitive issue, but ultimately a few decades later it will get settled legally when the tempers cool down.

The uniform civil code implementation and article 370 removal, are to give equal treatment to all the Indian citizens irrespective of the religion and place. Mind it when the muslims have a separate civil code, do not presume that the rest of the Indian society is benefitting or loosing because of it. SOme of its loophoes are misused by the Indian muslim men against Indian muslim women, which needs to be opposed.
Similarly the article 370 has provided a special status to the Kashmiris which is constantly reminds them of being different and keeps them alienated from the rest of the Indians. It was no different for the umpteen kings / provinces that merged with India when the Brits left, but for that article.

bomb blasts in india arranged by CIA or Israeli Mossad!

(alleged quote from Y. Sikand)

- sorry to read such rubbish. I must say it lowers my opinion of Mr. Sikand, he often has calm commonsensical suggestions based on good research. But with this unsubstantiated quote, illustrating a common problem with the indian left, he joins the loony brigade with their obsession about CIA/Mossad.

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Comparing Arundhati Roy with Hoodbhoy is not accurate. They come from a different background and follow different schools of thoughts. Hoodbhoy is mainly concerned with the nuke proliferation and in Pakistan’s case, the emergence of fundamentalism and does not support any discernible change in the system. Ms. Roy believes and propagates fundamental changes in the system and her concerns are not limited to the elitist issues. Her emphasis is on structural changes rather than the cosmetic changes in the system that Hoodbhoy espouses.

A better comparison would be with Faiz Ahmed Faiz of the 50s. Faiz was a young anti-establishment who believed in fundamental changes in the society and political discourse in Pakistan. However, Faiz was not as out spoken as Ms. Roy is. Faiz faced similar criticism from the rightwing and the religious fundamentalists’ in Pakistan that Ms. Roy is facing in India now. She can be compared in her firebrand style with Habib Jalib but Habib Jalib was not an intellectual and a leader. He was mostly a follower.

The charges by the rightwing and the religious nutcases against her in India are just plain ridiculous and that’s why she ignores them.

How meeting Hamid Gul could be a big deal? She was invited to a function in Lahore where Hamid Gul was present and I doubt that she was even aware of that. Hamid Gul is not really a household name in India and most of the Indians wouldn’t recognize him among many participants. I doubt that his pictures are splashed in Indian newspapers every day like Shahrukh Khan’s pictures are. Further, there are some mutual courtesies that have to be maintained when you are invited to a function. I doubt that she would refuse to shake hands or avoid being pictured with Modi, if she meets him in a function.

I have not read anything that suggests that she supports the Taliban. What she has mentioned, and if looked in the context of the US occupation of Afghanistan, the Taliban do represent Pakhtoon resistance to a foreign occupation. The US is an occupier in Afghanistan and it has successfully installed its proxy as the President after the attack and still maintains armies in Afghanistan and frequently bombs the afghan citizens.

The US ostensibly occupies Afghanistan because it is looking for OBL for the last 8 years. Incidentally, the US also claims that OBL is not in Afghanistan. Well, since OBL is not in Afghanistan, then what the hell US is doing in Afghanistan? Why not send the US armies to Pakistan where according to the US media, OBL is hiding? The US really should leave Afghanistan and enter Pakistan, if the sole reason of the US presence in Afghanistan is OBL.

Ms. Roy has strong ideological differences with the Taliban. She has never supported their tactics but she does not want to ignore the reality of the US occupation in Afghanistan.

In pure ideological terms, the fundamentalist and the rightwing Indians are closer and the ideological brothers of the Taliban and the Taliban ideology than Ms. Roy could ever be.

Re: # 78

Dost sahib:

I know the symmetry in arguments at two ends is remrakable. The best part of moderates is that in modern times resorting to religion has not resutled in victory, it only added more to the misrey. Everywhere, without exception. You can look at Ireland, partition, Israel-Palestine, and on to recent times on the sub-continent.

The reason I say is that it is the best part, is because otherwise what would happen is hard to imagine not only in Kashmir, Af-Pak, and at other trouble spot. These spots would not become peacefully, if their direct conneciton to God prevails.

Re: # 80

Masadi sahib:

"...Anil sahib knows how baseless his entire "4th century BC to Adam Smith to entrepreneurship of the Apple variety" is as explanatory model of the World System so he resorts to attacking all leftists ..."

In case you are still dreaming, Left Right classification died long time ago, especially after Deng Ziao Ping came to the center stage. It is now merely for the jokers to dream on.

What started with the arrival of Deng Xiao Ping, Global connectivity will rightly accelerate the speed at which this divide is cast away into the dustbin. You will find its hardcore believers in the same dustbin, in case you would want to have "tea" with them.

Recent defeat of the Wall Street has left its mark also. A more egalitarian, flattened of Earth approach will emerge. This approach will also be more equitable in distribution of profits and hence in generation of wealth. The spoiler can China if it chooses to hog the center stage to ensure that cuts in economic pie remain with the status quo.

Re: # 80

Masadi sahib:

"4th century BC to Adam Smith to entrepreneurship of the Apple variety"

You are indeed becoming creative, I like this branding.

Re: # 94 Riaz Mian

Allah hu Akbar.

I completely agree with your 'conclusion' regarding the shallowness of Dost-Mittar's analysis. All he did was switch words and let the chips fall where they may. Apparently, you did not like the outcome.

I am also quite impressed with your concern for the 'rising tide of fanaticism in India'. After all, as a descendant of Mohajirs who were led astray by Jinnah -- a man who had deep 'concern' for the plight of India's Muslims, but not much more to offer, your words are fully in keeping with the Quaid's example.

Re: # 93

The rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a right wing conglomerate that had allies in the Hindu Nationalist RSS and Shiv Sena organizations, has had a major impact on the question of a Uniform Civil Code to replace the Personal Law which is preferred by Muslims. It's a pet issue for the Hindutva groups.

Article 370 is about annexation of Kashmir by ending its special status to please the Hindutva voters.
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Re: # 78

I think it's really shallow of you to compare form while ignoring real substance. What you did is nothing but a cheap shot at a more profound comparison offered by Roy. You can engage in such denials at your own peril....the rising tide of fanaticism in India is real. It has reared its ugly head repeatedly in anti-Muslim riots, wide-spread abuse, torture and jailing, even custodial murders of Muslims in India's Guantanos and Abu Ghraibs. Even B Raman, a hawkish security analyst, has described the situation as the "inherent unfairness of the Indian criminal justice system".

Here's how an Indian writer Yoginder Sikand described them in a article he wrote for twocircles.net:

"America's 'global war on terror' has provided a convenient cover to the Hindutva lobby and to fiercely anti-Muslim elements within the Indian state machinery to launch a concerted campaign of terror against Muslims. Large numbers of Muslims in various parts of India continue to languish in jails on trumped-up terror charges, suffering brutal torture as well as routine insults to their religion by police officials. Meanwhile, Hindu terrorists, often in league with the police and the state machinery, are allowed to run riot, unleashing violence and bloodshed on a frightening scale, while the state, the police and the courts take no firm action against them. Bomb blasts that are now occurring with frightening frequency, whose perpetrators remain unknown, are automatically blamed on Muslims, while some of these might possibly be engineered by Hindutva outfits or by elements within the state apparatus, or even by foreign intelligence agencies like the CIA or the Israeli Mossad who have a vested interest in demonizing Muslims and thereby driving India closer into the deadly American-Israeli embrace. That, in brief, was what numerous social activists as well as dozens of Muslim victims of police and state terror testified to at a public hearing on brutalities against Muslims in the name of countering 'terrorism' recently organised in Hyderabad by a group of noted human rights' activists. Going by their depositions and the verdict of the jury of eminent social activists, journalists and retired judges, it appears that powerful elements within the state apparatus are deeply implicated, along with Hindu terrorist groups, in a witch-hunt of India's Muslim citizens."
Riaz Haq, PakAlumni Worldwide

Uniform civil code and removal of article 370 are not "hindu agendas" they are secular....which planet do you hail from?