Sunday, November 30, 2008

Bombay blasts (11/27-29/08) - '9/11' of India

For the past few days I have not been able to get my mind off from the happenings that occured in Mumbai.
The whole episode about the blasts, the fighting, the political response has left me deeply disturbed.
I am left wondering about the utter lack of preparation by the security agencies for prevention, the inadequate logistics that they have, the pandering of the political class to the minorities at the expense of the security of the citizens.

India has for long treated the terrorism with 'chalta hai' attitude. This seems to be the case even now looking at the response of the Dy. CM of Maharashtra, R.R Patil who said that 'In big cities these things happen'.
As long as you don't realize the gravity of the situation, you are happy with superficial remedies.
This attitude will never help to solve the problem.


Actions to be taken:

  • Ban SIMI
  • Get Dawood dead or alive
  • Put all the criminal elements in jail
  • Increase surveillance on shady characters and muslim fanatics
  • Improve our cost guard surveillance and border security.
  • Upgrade the weaponry of the police, NSG and all law enforcement agencies. Spend like hell on it.
  • Control our electronic media. Put them on leash on such important events. Leaking (live) information has terrible consequences.
  • Retort when someone talks about how terrorism is not 'religion specific'. It is religion specific and in this case it is Islamic terrorism. This religion has caused so much misery so far. I don't know when and how it will end.
  • Throw out the corrupt. Corruption has been an accomplice in all dirty acts. The nation has to take a deep look at the cost of corruption. It has been damaging each and every institution.
  • In times of crisis, you will get to know the true colors of the ruling class. They are the thugs in our society. Don't go by their statements. Question them relentlessly. Throw them out on streets to be like a common man.
  • Lastly throw out the Congress government, they had enough chances to fix the problem.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

What is wrong in being a Hindu activist?

It is peculiar to see so much discussion on the topic of Sonal Shah.

The main argument about her being one time member of VHP seems to cause so much discussion with people taking sides on the argument.

I for one, fall into the category which support her association with VHP (if that is the case).

The question is simple. What is wrong in being a member of religious congregation?

It is sheer hypocrisy for any one to talk/target one individual when they don't have the guts to question the same attitude that is prevalent in the society.

This is true in India and as well as in US.

Let me talk about the US first.

If you count the number of congregations/churches that exist in US, you would be in for a big surprise. They run into multiples of ten. It is mandatory for any person who is running for office to claim about being a member of one of these denominations. In the state where I live, California, I was surprised to see a big discussion about Governor Davis's church and the challenger Arnold's church. Being associated to a church is accepted in the society and well publicised. Think of a muslim or a hindu proclaiming their faith publicly in an election and you don't have to double guess the outcome (He will lose).

In the recent US presidential elections primary season, there was a big discussion regarding the Republican aspirant, Mitt Romney's Mormon faith. People in significant proportion are not comfortable with his faith and that became a significant factor in losing his election bid.

Even Obama had to take pains to dispel the notion that he is a muslim.

These are few examples to illustrate the fact that religion is part and parcel of an average american's psyche.



Let us talk about India. In India, every faith has got organizations representing them. They are working for proselytizing or acting as guards to their beliefs and practices.

Even here, they easily outnumber the outfits associated with Hinduism.



Now, how many organizations/congregations does a Hindu have? How many institutions represent Hinduism? Miniscule. VHP is the only significant one.



India is the sole bastion for Hinduism. If India loses hinduism, it is literally wiped out from humanity (except if you count Nepal, with its tiny population. Even here it is in danger of an attack from communists. It shouldn't be a surprise that hinduism will leave nepal before it leaves India).