Arundhati Roy: Goddess of Big Controversies!

Arundhati Roy has travelled a great distance since 1997, the year which saw her winning one of the most coveted awards in literature, the Booker Prize for her amazing ‘The God of Small Things’. She instantly shot to international fame and along with helped expanding the Indian literary sphere beyond the Indian borders. Today she is hardly a novelist; at best she is an occasional essayist; but she is certainly a big time activist.

And I have big problems with self-styled activists. These activists are almost always sympathizers of evil mongers, be it Maoists or Kashmiri separatists - an occupation in vogue nowadays. They stylishly call themselves as Human Rights Activists.

I agree that Arundhati Roy is an intellectual and is blessed with extraordinary talents but I do not approve of her indulgence into misguided sedition in guise of social activism. Many a times I feel she does what she does to attract attention. She could have got adequate notice by being an author too but why did she choose the path of controversies is beyond my comprehension. Otherwise, to think that she does not understand the meaning of humans or rights or sedition or freedom - azadi - would be absolutely naïve.

“Kashmir should get azadi from bhukhe-nange Hindustan!” advocated Arundhati Roy at the recently held seminar in Delhi on “Azadi – The only way”. Of course, she and other splitists got massively booed by the crowd as expected. Her misdemeanor would have got brushed away under the garb of oft repeated democracy-thus-freedom-of-speech theory but the Indian media took it up seriously and forced the government of India to react – at least issue a statement – against the seditionist brigade. However, the fact that she and her fellow secessionists are still freely roaming the surface of the Indian earth is enormously disappointing and might set a wrong precedent.

Arundhati Roy should get her facts right before articulating her skewed views on the subject of an Azaad Kashmir. I am sure she knows that Kashmir is an integral part of India by all standards of legitimacy. And I am also sure that she knows she too is an Indian. And, just by being a citizen of a democratic country – India – does not make her eligible for speaking in seditious language, howsoever strongly she may feel for her Kashmiri separatist brethren. Her conduct is unlawful. And it is punishable under the Constitution of India. (So what if the state of Jammu & Kashmir has its own constitution? Have you ever heard of a bizarre situation like this anywhere else in this world? ‘Double citizenship’ is a common occurrence but dual constitution? It happens only in India!)

What perplexes me the most is the logic proffered by these so-called activists is their definition of human rights because they are seldom right in their explanation of humans or their rights. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be seeing them fight for Separatists and Maoists rights! Can any person in his/her right senses describe people belonging to either or both of these sections as ‘humans’? For God’s sake, they are terrorists! And murderers cannot be granted the same rights as that of ‘normal’ humans whom they kill at will.

Kashmir became a “problem” – not a mere ‘dispute’ as defined by current interlocutors - because of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s idealistic posturing about the UNO – as it was called in those days – and its ability to bring about the necessary changes while dealing with global conflicts. If our first prime minister had shown political acumen and courage, the whole controversy would have got resolved in 1948 itself. Indian military was quite capable of defending its territory and securing its borders and not letting Pakistan forcefully annex Kashmir and create POK; the most absurd post war happening was Pakistan “gifting” a large swathe of illegally occupied land in Kashmir to China!

Kashmir is a flashpoint and will remain so for many more decades to come. Today, even if India demonstrates strong political will, Kashmir issue cannot be solved which is anyway a remote possibility. Because, today stakeholders are numerous in the beautiful land of Kashmir. A burning Kashmir keeps the South Asian geopolitical aspirations of many nations warm. Then there are the commercial compulsions of global arms trade. A peaceful world - region - is certainly not conducive for the desired growth of this dangerous business which is lobbied hard at the highest levels for its continued existence. Then, the never-ending Kashmir conflict also serves as a legitimate excuse for the government of Pakistan to use it as a deflective device to keep the focus away from its grave internal problems. And Indian establishment is also not far behind in using Kashmir as a tool to suit its political purposes.

Hopefully all those Indian Kashmiris - and I firmly believe they are in absolute minority – who want to be a part of Pakistan or want a ‘separate’ state for themselves, will soon realize Kashmir is an Indian state and no force on this earth can divide India further. Their King who happened to be a Hindu by religious practice had decided the inclusion of his kingdom in the Indian state in all his senses and within his legal rights to do so. And that included his citizens as well. Moreover, almost a failed state by any yardstick, Pakistan should also get over its ambition of acquiring Kashmir, remembering that British’s “divide-and-rule” policy is not applicable anymore in a democratic and secular Independent India. Therefore, even the thought of an “Azaad” Kashmir is insane! Same advice is for Arundhati Roy.

Arundhati Roy could call her Hindustan “bhookha-nanga” but she should thank her stars for being a born Hindustani; for speaking in seditious language in Pakistan, she could have been languishing in jail on a non-bailable warrant forever for “treason”. Because, it is only in a democratic India that she could take refuge in her enormously flawed ideologies and philosophies to justify her separatist tendencies and still be out as a free citizen.

India is tired of Arundhati Roy’s KBC: Kashmir Bachao Conundrum! Hopefully she will resume her writings and stop being the Goddess of Big Controversies!

CWG: Great show, India! But, do not forget to hang Kalmadi & Co.

Great show, India! 101, the magical figure which we reached with medals, make us so proud! Our athletes deserve a standing ovation! And, of course, not to forget the people behind staging of spectacular opening and closing ceremonies! It would be unfair if we do not salute the organizers for conducting the Games as it should have been done!

The preparedness came out to be superb ultimately! The facilities were world class! The Games Village was certainly best ever provided to sports fraternity for a CWG gathering! The stadia turned out to be spectacularly built! The turnout of all 71 countries (including the overseas territories of the UK) qualified Delhi 2010 to be the biggest ever Games! The viewership was equally massive – the biggest ever!

And, biggest was the money spent on the Commonwealth Games!

Rs. 77,000 crores! …

By any standards, this amount is quite huge! It still could have been justified - in a country with almost 70% people struggling to make two ends meet - if every penny was spent honestly – on sports and sportspersons and stadia and infrastructure. But we all know that this hasn’t been the case. The organizers and government officials – and politicians – involved in making Delhi ‘Games Ready’ indulged into unprecedented levels of corruption. Corruption so colossal and everybody so busy looting the country’s coffers that even when the nations in the Commonwealth Comity started to descend in Delhi, India looked in shambles.

Then the ‘Commonwealth Games Price Index’ was unbelievable! Money spent on purchase of materials and infrastructure was so exorbitant that it made one feel as if those were imported from Pluto! The entire scene was so embarrassing that at one point I felt ashamed of being an Indian. And it was in spite of the Indian Media – though quite belatedly – relentless in exposing the depth of corruption in hosting of the Games. Suresh Kalmadi, Sheila Dikshit, Jaipal Reddy, MS Gill, … were extraordinarily shameful in their conduct. There was simply no one around to take accountability for chaos and crises surrounding staging of biggest ever sporting extravaganza on Indian soil. The saddest part was that even our respected prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh – and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi – chose to keep quiet in spite of mounting criticisms. The result was that India from being ‘Incredible’ became ‘Unlivable’ in eyes of the world! … All was not well.

(Sheila Dikshit, don’t try to take entire credit for the success of the Games. You too are equally culpable for CWG mess and muck.)

Now that the Games are over; now that India has emerged as a strong sporting nation with second position in the medals tally: 38 gold haul and a total of 101 achievements; now that the world is convinced about India’s capabilities to stage a world class sporting event; now that all athletes have gone back happy; … we have to go back to the people who were responsible for holding the Games and take account of all the money spent. India should not spare the corrupt organizers, various governmental and sporting bodies and let them go scot free. As Suresh Kalmadi has said: “Hang me if found guilty!” I echo him: Hang Suresh Kalmadi & Co.! …

Though Suresh Kalmadi has emerged as the chief protagonist in the entire scam saga, it would be really naïve to think that he had the solo performance. As per official records, the Organizing Committee was given only Rs. 1600 crores towards expenditure from the allocated CWG funds of Rs. 77,000 crores. Majority of the money was so-called spent on building stadia, roads, flyovers, Games Village etc. which were under direct control of Delhi Government, Center (Lt. Governor of Delhi) and Urban Development ministry. Suresh Kalmadi had nothing to do with all of that. If India looked so pathetically inefficient and not at all ready even a few days before the start of the Games, main culprits were Sheila Dikshit, Jaipal Reddy and MS Gill, besides Suresh Kalmadi, who were directly overseeing functioning of the various bodies and agencies involved in preparing Delhi for the Games. For sure all these political figures are not saints walking the surface of India!

Therefore, my appeal is to the Prime minister to order a comprehensive probe and adequately punish all involved. Just by throwing Suresh Kalmadi out in the cold – now – will seem like shielding Sheila Dikshit, MS Gill, Jaipal Reddy and others.

PM’s belated action also makes one get a firm feeling that the plundered funds have indeed reached pockets of people at top of political pyramid of the Indian establishment and thus this “deflective directive” to nail Suresh Kalmadi alone is in fact to save those prominent players. Going by Indian standards, such a monumental scam couldn’t have been possible without political heavyweights getting their share in the loot. Moreover, the Indian Government knows too well that world famous Indian amnesia would take over soon and everybody – Media & Public - would conveniently forget about CWG and corruption and all corrupt people will continue to live happily ever after!

Here, I want to articulate one thing very clearly: the only person whom India believes to be absolutely above all kinds of corruption is the prime minister Manmohan Singh. And we are proud of him!

Hope, Mr. PM, you will be able to assert yourself and ensure proper action against all involved post probe – if it ever gets completed, unlike earlier times. Then only India will say: All is well! J

India is waiting and watching …

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Post script: Let us not forget our athletes now that the Games are over. After giving the Doordarshan its highest ever TRP in recent times, let us not exhibit our contradictory behavior and ignore other sports for cricket, as always…

Shouldn’t more such sporting events be organized regularly as India is ready for it now? Of course, minus Suresh Kalmadi, Sheila Dikshit, MS Gill, Jaipal Reddy … (Kala-pani for Kala-madi! To give him company, send Sheila Dikshit, MS Gill, Jaipal Reddy along with!)

Indian School for Study of World Religions, Ayodhya

I vividly remember the morning of 7^th of December in 1992. I had just got down from the train and had felt a bit uneasy seeing the unusual quietness around. It was very unlike Bombay VT! Soon the mystery was dispelled as I stepped out of the station. There were numerous Muslim families, their members sitting on large luggage with extreme fear written on face. And suddenly it struck me that it was the first day after 6^th December, the day on which the BJP et al had planned to demolish the disputed Babri Masjid. “So they have succeeded in their unholy mission!” I said almost loudly. As in those days there was no means to keep oneself updated on news while on move, I had missed the happenings of the previous day.

It was clear that riots had broken across the country expectedly post the madness at Ayodhya. But what was shocking was to see it happening in Bombay! Because, the city of Bombay had historically been miles ahead in cosmopolitism when compared to other metropolis of India. Bombay’s fabric had always been so well knit that to see it being tattered in this cruel manner was absolutely appalling.

Now the problem was to get a taxi and reach the destination fast which was the IIT Bombay’s hostels where I and a few fellow Institute mates were to stay for a day before proceeding to Pune for attending an academic seminar.

Our ride through the unusually hushed roads of Bombay was hassle-free but then we did not know how to coordinate with other members of the group reaching Bombay from other parts of the country. Telephone lines had been shut – cut? – and we were left high and dry. We could not even contact our family who could have been going through extreme mental agony with us trapped in a riotous Bombay!

A couple of us summoned our courage and decided to go to Bombay VT and meet the seniors as they could not be contacted otherwise. We boarded a Local at Kanjurmarg but couldn’t go beyond Kurla as the train was stopped by rioters. I distinctly remember the scene around me. We were in a ladies coupe and as soon as the firings started a male constable got into our compartment and shut the door. And then started the pandemonium! Ladies started wailing and suddenly the place resembled an assembly of mourners. The constable constantly pleaded with them to keep quiet. Standing in a corner taking support of the compartment wall, I calmly admired the cop’s dignified handling of the utter surrounding chaos. After about half an hour of being stationary, the train started to move backwards. And in a few minutes we were back in Kanjurmarg, having no other option but to retreat to our safe haven which was the IIT hostels.

With shops closed the hostels could hold on for two days in serving proper meals. But from day three, we had to survive on khichri 3 times a day! …

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1992 altered my view about Bombay. Though it still remains my most favourite Indian city, but the bond (seemed to have) snapped that day. The carnage engulfing the city fatally also seemed to swallow within itself rationale mind and heart of its dwellers. The damage was apparently irreversible. And it was sad.

I also lost a great deal of connection with my India. The era of Mandir-Masjid-Mandal was the major culprit. Suddenly the nation was scampering for restoring its God in its rightful abode! Secularism seemed to have vanished amongst lengthening shadows of religious fundamentalism. Bizarrely India’s 82% Hindus in majority had started to feel threatened by the so-called growing tentacles of Islam. And it was in retaliation to this insecurity that a handful of politically misguided citizens had decided to pull down the 4 centuries old mosque built by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, disrupting harmony and peace and harming India’s image globally. And Hinduism, the most advanced religion, looked so medieval and vulnerable! The demolition of the Babri Masjid remains one of the ugliest sights witnessed by our society.

What bothered me most was the madness exhibited by even the so-called educated class. Once a private matter, religion had become a topic of general discussion. Never before I had heard youth talk about religion in such damaging tones. As a child, in spite of occasionally attending church mass at school, I remember never having been taught anything about any God in particular (Jesus Christ could have been the preferred choice in a catholic set-up). The only teachings we received were on Moral Science. “Unity-in-Diversity” was a normal aspect of Life! At home, of course, it was a truly democratic and secular setting, reflecting the fundamentals of the Constitution of India!

This new disruptive trend was hugely discomforting and I was pretty vocal in making my displeasure clear against prejudiced religious talks. And it was precisely the reason that I was congratulated by family, friends and colleagues on BJP’s defeat in 2004 and again in 2009.

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After letting it languish in legal domain for 60 years, on 30^th September 2010 the Allahabad High Court delivered its landmark verdict in the Masjid-Mandir case. (And we thought the dispute had started in ’92?) In its balanced-yet-split ruling, the courts decided to divide the disputed land in three equal parts, one portion each for its three claimants. The country which was waiting with bated breath was enormously relieved to see the general public taking the judgement in its stride. India of today looked much more matured than 18 years ago.

In fact India’s ‘preparedness’ to deal with any (imminent?!) untoward incident post verdict was a bit absurd! Because if we believed the country had moved on then we should have known that citizens of today’s India would not react in the manic manner manifested previously (in ’92). The relevance of Mandir-Masjid apparently has got lost completely. (Will we respond in a similar manner to Mandal caste based rules getting revoked?)

Nevertheless, the ‘precautionary measure’ exercised by professional establishments and people alike to stay away from roads was quite amusing! (Actually I thanked each one of the absentees as I could reach home in time in spite of leaving office late!)

Here, however, I want to deliberate on one more point. In my opinion, the judgement could have been better if it had handed over the disputed landmass to the GOI with instructions to construct “Indian School for Study of World Religions” with a central common space dedicated for display of Gods(!), holy books, religious symbols, etc. representing all faiths. Because I firmly believe that in matters relating to religion, we – Indians and all fellow humans worldwide – are yet to graduate from prehistoric stage of beliefs.

Court’s ‘divisive’ decision could fail to ensure lasting reconciliation. With Mandir and Masjid built adjacent to each other having separate entry and exit will not serve the purpose of religious integration. Rather it could mean we live with Ayodhya becoming a flash point for ever.

Please think: Can we build a common shrine for both Ram and Rahim and both Hindus and Muslims (women included) coming to offer prayers together? …

Another thought to ponder: Can we incarcerate God in Mandir or Masjid? …

Humans have come far ahead from their cave-days but we are yet to get over our caveman’s mentality! In those pre-historic years we were not evolved enough to apply our brain to comprehend nuances of higher human behaviours. Seeing the world getting fragmented due to divisive thoughts in 21^st century is hugely disappointing.

We need proper understanding of religions and their importance in our life. We have to realize that ‘tolerance’ towards other religions is inadequate; we need to ‘respect’ each set of beliefs which in anyway mean the same. And we should appreciate that whatever may be the number of religions in this world, in actuality there is only One God!

“Gods” by term itself is beyond comprehension! How can there be more than one God? There is just one Super Power who is the chief architect and the administrator of the Universe!

Before signing off, I would like to mention the matured role of Media in Ayodhya Verdict coverage. The self-restraint and sensitivity shown by the Indian Media is appreciable. (Also commendable is the secular stance taken by communal political entities like the BJP.) The positivity espoused in their debates and reportage is especially remarkable! Times Now’s “India First” campaign needs a special referring. My compliments to Arnab Goswami!

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Gandhiji, I am sure you would have felt your mental peace being restored seeing social fabric of your nation remain intact post the Ayodhya Verdict! … Happy Birthday J

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By the way, Indian School for Study of World Religions could be abbreviated as ISSWR - phonetically similar to Ishwar which is God in Hindi!