Hello. ;-)

So, where were we?

Ah, yes. Let me apologize for the post blackout.

Stuff happened.

My course got over; College ended; and I have long since moved out of Bangalore. After a lifetime of living in India, I have returned to the Maldives. Returned home, to be precise.

Somehow, I don't feel as much at home as I felt in India. But that should change soon.  Job, career and perhaps a larger circle of Maldivian friends should help.

Meanwhile, I haven't really been keeping a tab on the latest in Indian politics, nor have I been able to read any of my favorite Indian blogs. Apologies for that too.

But I see I'm still getting hits on this blog.

Thanks for coming back. Once I feel a little more settled down, I intend to resume my comments again, and read all the blogs I've been missing out on.

Long live Secularism!

~Peace

P.S. -> You might want to read my more regularly updated blog. More in a Maldivian context than this blog, but deals with the same issues I usually pick on. Secularism, Reason and Tolerance. And good ole' fundie bashing. ;-)

Observe the BJP & Enjoy the Pop Corn!

The irony is killing me!

To think this man was running for his much desire PMship on a 'Strong, Decisive Leader' slogan?

Look at LK Advani now. His meek, helpless countenance as he helplessly pores over his rapidly imploding party.

Of course, I'm totally enjoying the show. With pop corn too.

I have no intentions of reading Jaswant Singh's book. (Neither does Modi or Sushma Swaraj or any BJP leader - except perhaps Advani , for that matter)

But the book HAS been able to rip apart the charade of PURPOSE in a directionless party that doesn't know if it ought to be a leader of a rapidly modernizing India, or a slave to a discredited narrow dogma.

I doubt if Jaswant Singh was surprised by his crude dismissal. He must have known very well what he was doing when he entered Jinnah territory while sitting on an RSS sponsored chair.

Getting kicked out was inevitable. (Ask Advaniji) I think Jaswant just didn't give a shit anymore.

The drama following the release of the book has exposed the long lying problem with the BJP. Namely, the vice-grip over the party exercised by the RSS.

This is obvious in the way Jaswant Singh (a non-RSS ex-army man) was expelled for the offence of THINKING independently, without being given a chance to defend himself.

Whereas open critics like Arun Shourie (party leader and RSS idealogue) who conferred the entire Top Leadership of the party with charming little nicknames ranging from "Humpty Dumpty" to "Alice in Blunderland" has been kindly asked to "explain" his endearments.

The idea is simple. You can piss on the party leadership, as long as you regularly genuflect before the almighty RSS.

This has to change if the BJP is to survive in the long run.

I'm no great fan of the BJP or its saffron politics. But I do believe that India could do with a genuine modern Centre-Right National party to counterbalance the liberal-leaning Congress. (I speak strictly in National interest. Watching BJP curl up and die will be of huge personal satisfaction to me)

It would only help the BJP to snap its ties with the RSS dinosaur (which serves absolutely no purpose in the country, except during communal riots) and turn towards the Atal Behari Vajpayee brand of moderate politics that will see the BJP regain its middle class appeal.

Vajpayee was adored by Indians. Not "Hindus". The BJP can perhaps *attempt* to please the same crowd and hope to regain some relevance.

Perhaps saner individuals within the party could cobble together a new political force - minus the hateful, anti-Muslim, minority-bashing rhetoric.

Or Ya know, leave the current BJP to the lowly likes of Modi and Varun Gandhi and MOVE ON, like the rest of India.

It's about time the Arun Jaitleys and Shivraj Singh Chauhans came together and did a Jaswant - look squarely at the RSS and say 'We just don't give a shit anymore.'

Until then, it's pop corn time for me. :-)


P.S. - Why is anyone surprised that Hindutva firebrand and Gujju chief Minister Narendra Modi JS's book- probably without even reading it? We've always known that Modi simply doesn't care for books that are at clear odds with his stated ideology. Like the Constitution, in the past.

~PEace!

Just wondering.

Why is it that every time I hear the word 'dialogue', I automatically hear protests from the BJP?

The BJP Coming to its senses?

Finally.

It took two successive election debacles, but the recent rout in the General elections seem to have woken up the BJP to the fact that there are also Muslims, Christians and other minorities in this country.

I read (LK Advani Aide-), Sudheendra Kulkarni's detailed analysis of the defeat in a magazine and (surprise!) there was Hindutva among the reasons given.

'How did we invite this weakness upon us?', went the opening line.

Truly said. How could any aspiring national party have continued to bind its own feet using such a bigoted stance?

Kulkarni made some points about the prevalent anti-Muslim dogma among party members that prevented them from taking ANY attempts, no matter how justified, towards minority development and welfare.

I was half hoping for a schism in the BJP, whereby a new party could emerge free from it's RSS and VHP ties, leaving the dinosaurs behind to fade into ignominy.

That hasn't happened yet, but positive signs are emerging.

At the National Executive Committee meeting held the other day, the party has resolved to abandon its hardline Hindutva stance.

To quote former charioteer, LK Advani, "At our office-bearers meeting two days back, two eminent colleagues of ours affirmed their faith in Hindutva but cautioned against any narrow, bigoted, anti-Muslim interpretation being put on it"

The Resolution taken at the meeting also stated that "Theocracy or any form of bigotry is alien to our ethos. Hinduism or Hindutva is not to be understood or, construed narrowly confined only to religious practices, or expressed in extreme forms"

I hope that means an effective end to the bigoted 'Hindu Rashtra' ideology and the associated venom spewing.

It is not exactly the much desired snapping-of-ties with the RSS, but definitely a firm step away from them.

How honest these words are remain to be seen, but it sure is an encouraging sign.

India really needs a truly right-of-center national party to act as a natural counterweight to the liberal leaning Congress.

Thus far, the bigoted, anti-Muslim and minority bashing tactics of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar meant that there was no genuine, inclusive national alternative to the Congress.

By getting routed in the elections, the party has got a real opportunity to reposition itself as a party for ALL Indians, not some.

One would hope that this election translates into a more mature, civilized political discourse from the BJP.

Another reason for India to say 'Jai Ho!' ;-)

Go Obama!

This is why the world needs a liberal leader. I'm astounded!

Just an Experiment!

I've just installed a new comments system on this blog.

I just like the idea of threaded comments, that's all.

If I don't like it, I'll change it right back.

What this means, of course, is that I'm not done blogging yet! In fact, I'm just itching to write on a whole bunch of topics.. Just haven't the time right now.

Wait till my University exams are over and I shall like to participate in some full blooded dialogue again! ;-)

Ah. Miss those days!

Give me a week.

Keechad, Kamal and Kundali

Ah! The Irony!

After all that time spent by the National Divisive Alliance trying to dangerously polarize the country... After all the time the it spent trying to prop up an old, underachieving codger as a 'Strong, Decisive leader'.. after all the time it spent on trying to label a decent, non-politician gentleman Prime Minister as a 'weakest' PM.. and after all the insanely In-Your-Face publicity campaign involving music videos, giant posters and a billion google ads, rabble-rouser Advani went to the polls.

And India replied by showing a big middle finger to his brand of cheap, negative politics.

Lalu Prasad was right.

Prime Ministership just wasn't written in Advani's kundali.

So much blood has been spilt, so much hatred spread and so many painful wounds have been inflicted upon India and its people, just to keep this joker in the reckoning for his much desired Prime Ministership.

Was it ever surprising that every single time the BJP or its family of militant sister organizations needed a little publicity or a few assured votes, it didn't hesitate to put the country aflame with extreme hatred and violent rhetoric?

Truly. The kamal only blooms in a lot of keechad.

I'm glad the secular, peace-loving India is having the last laugh.

Strong Man Advani.

Even a blind man, I believe, would now be sick of the Advani ad blitzkrieg.

You want a strong leader? Advani's the man! Strong! strong! Strong he is!

(On the other hand if you wish to settle for a (sigh!) 'weak' prime minister *points at Dr. Manmohan Singh* vote for him!)

Forgive me for not taking the BJP's word for it. But what exactly has LK Advani achieved in his entire career?

Am I mistaken in believing he owes his entire public standing to a Rath Yatra that caused some Indian blood to be spilt at each pitstop?

What exactly makes him a 'strong' leader again?

Is it his bold decision to resort to cheap Mandir/Masjid politics that gives him his superhuman strength? Or is it his resolute and steadfast decision to stand by Genocide perpetrators in his party?

Lately, Mr LK 'Strong' Advani also cannot seem to digest the news of a terrorist attack in the country. Dr Manmohan Singh is apparently 'weak' on terrorism.

Advani, the 'tough on terror' strong leader that he is, conveniently forgets that in his days, he BOLDLY decided to free terrorists who have since unleashed a spate of attacks on the country. No. Wait. He didn't 'know about it'.

One would think that stuff like Akshardham temple attacks simply didn't happen under the watch of 'strong' Advaniji.

Funny that this very man called for resignation of the entire UPA government over the Mumbai attacks.

Advani, the resolute leader that he is, publicly declared Jinnah a 'secular' man while in Pakistan (which he probably was.. but shh!) This politician finds it convenient to change his 'principles' whenever required.

Remember the time when Advani declared Ayodhya the 'saddest day' of his life? Never mind that he never found it necessary to apologize for the bloodbath.

Nerves of steel, indeed.

This man's entire career is built on an issue of 'National importance' like a temple and a mosque in Ayodhya. When that doesn't work, of course, there's always Sethusamudram. Exactly the kind of things a strong 'National' leader comes up with.

During his stints as Home minister and Deputy Prime Minister, if he's ever done anything 'strong' or 'decisive', it has escaped me completely.

Unless Advani has some sort of Weightlifting/Armwrestling medal tucked away somewhere, I do wonder on what basis he is putting up billboards all over the country declaring himself a 'Strong Leader'.

Why is Advani 'strong' again?

Rajnath Singh: BJP does not believe in ‘spreading hatred’

Hahahahahaha!

The BJP does not believe in hatred.. only its projected, high profile election candidates do. Nice.
Varun Gandhi, Yogi, Modi, the a vast majority of the Sangh Parivar just happen to be. The BJP does not condone it.

The Varun Gandhi tapes were doctored. His defense of it was doctored too. The attacks on Christians were doctored. Modi loves Muslims. Babri Masjid demolition didn't happen. Gujarat wasn't a genocide. Gandhi's assassination was fake. The Sangh sister organizations like Bajrang Dal, RSS and VHP do NOT condone violence!

Life's perfect. Everything wrong is doctored.

Oh. And Advaniji is their Prime Ministerial candidate.
Perfect.

ADvani : Google gets it right.

Now, I'm not trying to insinuate here (well, all right. I am!) but..

I was just trying to read about a random, violent terrorist organization posing as elected leaders.. when Google bombarded the web page with three large banners.. of LK Advani!


Hmm.

This Adsense algorithm is more advanced than one thought.

Anyways, does anybody else think that there's just too much ADvani on the net these days?

On Hindutva and the Pub Attacks.

I strongly object to the use of the word 'Talibanization' used in reference to the recent attacks (by yet another 'Sena') on girls in a Mangalore pub.

Let's stick to the right terminology, please. It's not 'Talibanization', it's 'Hindutva-ization'. 

To quote the Chief Militant of 'Shri Ram Sene' (the right-wing, Hindutva organization behind the latest dose of 'Hindu Righteousness')  

"We are working for Hindutva, to save Hindutva"

Good. That's more like it. 

Chief militant, Pramod Muthalik, says that cowardly violence on women was absolutely necessary to 'save Hindu sanksruti'. He added that this was the way they treated their mothers and sisters.

Strange. His goons didn't like they had any mothers or sisters. 

I also object to the use of terms like 'moral policing' and phrases like 'taking the law into their own hands'.

Which morals, exactly? And what Law? 

Ajmal Kasab did NOT 'take the law into his own hands'. 

Afzal Guru did NOT 'take the law into his own hands'.

The Hindutva militants, who are currently enjoying a relatively free run in the BJP ruled Karnataka state are NOT, repeat NOT 'taking the law into their own hands'.

Let's condemn them for exactly what they are:  Hindutva-vaadis. 

Notes on Islam.

I've been thinking.

Maybe Muslims would want to read this article from my personal blog and ponder over it?