Some stories were myths but where is the proof that others were, too?
Thank you for setting the record straight ('Rani Padmini and four other Hindutva history myths exploded'). All of us are guilty of whitewashing history. How Prthviraj Chauhan became an exemplar of military might, valor and strength is the stuff of legends. He was no different from any of the terrorists that have taken center-stage these days. Extremely well-written and thoughtful article.–AC
* * *
Just because there are no written records in your eyes, they cannot be called myths! Who are you to challenge the whole mass consciousness of the country's heritage handed down over the ages, through word of mouth? You are one of those myth-busters, just like the iconoclasts who invaded India who, who think they are so superior to Hindus that they need to be "busted" of their heritage. Leave us alone! What deep satisfaction do you gain from this but trying to pull down the BJP. You are a hater of our nation! Jai Hind!–Jayashree Jaipal
* * *
This writer has no knowledge of Indian history and is writing under a false name. He surely has a lot to hide about his identity. To hell with his writing.–Savita Agarwal
* * *
Considering the fact that Scroll.in published this silly article by Girish Shahane and has started a trend to bash the Modi government before even giving it a chance to correct 60 years of Congress’ mismanagement and trying to colour Modi and the government as anti-Muslim, I am disappointed and may have to stop perusing it daily as I have done for the last 10 months.–Byravan Viswanathan
* * *
When an author says that something written in history is false, he should back his claims with suitable proof and references. In this case, nothing is provided. Is it hearsay, then?–Nandan HA
* * *
Indeed some of the statements that you have made in your article are true, such as the poetic ending to Prithviraj Chauhan in "Prithviraj Raso" and the expansionist policy of the Cholas, but where do you get the other material for your "authoritative" statements about Rani Padmini and that "Indian history does not date back to more than 3000 BC" and that India did not have a golden age before the Muslim invaders? Unless you substantiate with credible evidence, this is a worthless article and ito me you are just one of the other millions of naive pseudo-intellectuals victimised by Nehruvian philosophy resulting in a characteristic brand of neutralised Hindus, which, when you and your generation passes, will serve Bharat Varsh better. – Lekhesh Dholakia
This advice to minor writers to navigate litfests will only work in India
Some good points here and I accept this is tongue-in-cheek ('The minor writer’s guide to navigating litfests'). But giving advice to writers to arrive an hour late will only work in India, if it works at all. Anywhere else you will seen as completely unprofessional (as you indeed are), will lose your slot and will never be asked again, (unless of course you are Salman Rushdie). Also, you risk antagonising the few genuine fans who turned up especially for your reading and who you rudely kept waiting.–Umi Sinha
* * *
Great piece! Thank you.–Naveen Kishore
Constantly badgering clueless Pakistani officials is not the answer
Not surprising to see a failed state in perpetual denial ('How Pakistani papers (and their readers) viewed the boat that exploded on New Year's Eve'). What next? That Kasab in 26/11 was from the RSS; the killers of 148 innocent children in Peshawar are Indian agents; that Hafiz Sayeed and Dawood Ibrahim are social reformers in Pakistan; that Osama Bin Laden was a tourist in Abotabad; that Sri Lankan cricketers were attacked by Indian commandos in Lahore? For God's sake, please grow up.–Pawan Zutshi
* * *
Geographically, the only fishing boats that we would find near the coast of Gujarat in the Arabian Sea would either originate from Pakistan or India. Nonetheless, was it a 'terror plot'? Was someone trying to create a '31/12 after a 26/11' (as some news channels put it)?
Well, that's not likely because it isn't how terrorists have been known to behave in the past. They just won't have a suicide mission without casualties. They just won't give up without a fight. If they had to detonate a bomb, they would do in proximity to the Indian Coast Guard fleet at the least. A casual burning after an hour of chase would only suggest that this was a part of some kind of organised crime, illicit drug trade to the best, where getting caught was not an option. A lot of questions remain unanswered but constantly badgering clueless Pakistani officials on television is probably not going to answer them.–Asad Pervez
* * *
The Indian Express also says it is doubtful if the persons on the Pakistani boat were terrorists. When the news broke, some felt that the Coast Guard was seeking the limelight. Umpteen such boats and explosive materials must have landed on our coast. All are not 26/11. If they wanted proof they could have encircled the boat and caught them. The Coast Guard did not inform other agencies, perhaps because they did not want other agencies to come for the mission. That is the basic suspicion.–Paresh R Vaidya
Eight-month-old jailed in anti-conversion case
Very bold piece... as usual by Supriya Sharma.–Malini Subramaniam
Why do we want approval from the West for our music?
I read through the article ("How the West came to love Indian film music" and wondered why, to this day, we look to the West for approval. Indian music is a niche and, might I add, rare obsession in the West. One is far more likely to find K-pop/Manga obsessed teen nerds in the US and elsewhere than someone able to tell the difference between the Mangeshkar sisters. That doesn't of course say anything about the beauty of our music. But I wish to drive a deeper point here. I cannot fathom why the legitimacy of Indian art, music and culture should be derived from the West. One wonders what with the reflexive nationalism this country is getting into, in this age of Modi, whether we're undergoing a catharsis as to who we really are as Indians despite the Nehru consensus. An ancient civilisation, yet considered backward by those who matter at the high table, the nation seems to go into a collective brouhaha every single time some crumbs are thrown from the high table. I hope the evolution of a national identity in the coming years, leads to not only a more self-assured Indian, but also someone who's confidence is based on an India that really is developed.–Tushar Khanna
India was never secular to have become communal after Modi's win
This is with regard to your recent article titled '2014, the year India became a Hindu state'. I liked the article overall but disagreed with some of the things you write.
You also frame the current situation in India as one where the country has gone from being a secular society to a communal one after Modi's win. This is wrong, because the Indian cultural and social landscape was always undergirded by Brahminical morality and caste-Hindu practices. For example, Perry Anderson in his essay, After Nehru, describes the day India got Independence thus: "To hallow the solemn occasion, Nehru and his colleagues sat cross-legged around a sacred fire in Delhi while Hindu priests – arrived posthaste from Tanjore for the ritual – chanted hymns and sprinkled holy water over them, and women imprinted their foreheads with vermilion. Three hours later, on the stroke of midnight, 14 August 1947, a date and time stipulated by Hindu astrologers, Nehru assured his broadcast listeners that their ‘tryst with destiny’ was consummated, and had given birth to the Indian Republic." Many Dalit scholars have provided a comprehensive critique of the "Hindutva-laced socialism" of Indian National Congress that was to be the precursor of the modern-day BJP. Do read up on this issues more, so that your article shows a much more grounded take on current Indian polity from an anti-caste perspective.–Gilligan Thomas
The biggest debut novel of 2015
Beautiful story. Can’t stop the tears!–Sandy Tatham
Excellent analysis by Ghanshyam Shah must also act on it
Ghanshyam Shah is very right in saying that liberals have not built a brick by brick structure in India to counter RSS and other fundamentalist organisation now on high spirits under the new government ('‘The idea that Narendra Modi has become a moderate is wishful thinking’'). But that’s not the point. Liberals have failed this country miserably. Look at Ghanshyam Shah himself. He and his likes are too scared to stand for their beliefs. They are just comfortable being arm chair critics of everything and earn bread by appear on channel shows as sociology experts.
Another thing about these liberals is that they are egocentric and unwilling to work in group and also be more vocal about their thoughts. Nor are they even willing to even extend some moral support in public for liberal persons who do speak up and take on the system.
I can go on but it’s of no use as Shah will be busy giving another interview on why things are bad. Talk is cheap, Mr Shah. Act.–Kailash Rajpurohit
* * *
My thanks to Ghanshyam Shah. His excellent analysis shows that we were on a slippery slope long before the advent of the lumpen regime. This applies to the government at the national level as well. Once there is a compromise, we can never get back to ground zero.–Shereen Ratnagar
Sanjay Dutt's furloughs happened because we let them happen
Before you form an opinion about me, let me tell you I am not a Dutt fan or a Salman fan as much. I do watch Bolly flicks now and then and do enjoy their performances but that's about it. Now my simple reason to write to you is to question your purpose of writing this article ('Sanjay Dutt row proves that for Bollywood, you can be innocent even after being proven guilty').
According to you, Sanjay Dutt is having his way too easy just because he is from a creamy layer of Bollywood, he is influential and popular and can have his way around the law. I believe your argument is similar also for Salman Khan. To the best of my knowledge, people working their way around the law happens because we let it happen. Even as this article was being written, Dutt was making merry, and even as I am writing this reply to you, some top-notch lawyer must be typing his extension on medical grounds which he will surely get. Doesn't your article then become plain rhetoric?–Rohit Daga
Sardesai and Goswami aren't doing anyone good in the Pushkar case
This is ridiculous ('Who solved the Sunanda Pushkar case: Rajdeep or Arnab?'). The police has just registered an FIR. They are not yet sure as to who are the culprits. Then how can these two gentlemen discuss the issue on their channels and pass judgement? In any case, it will be a misnomer to call Arnab Goswami's programme a debate or discussion. It is so chaotic that the atmosphere in a fish market is better.–PL Roongta
* * *
Unfortunately in India the police is extremely corrupt and guided by the party in power. They make a mess of the investigation process and cannot be trusted. They need to act quickly, efficiently and independently.
News channels are in the business of increasing TRPs. However, they put pressure on the police and government to do something about a botched up investigation. They create awareness about the injustice by making a noise and drama.
If the police and courts worked properly, these channels would not have had an opportunity to create a story. I actually believe you should watch these channels as much for theatre as justice. There is no reason to get emotional about them. – Pankaj Vohra
* * *
It is very funny that when the big guns do some nonsense, the media wastes a lot of time – theirs and outs. But when ordinary people asked for support from media when my daughter was murdered, I did not see Sardesai or anybody coming to our help. Life is always important; why is the media partisan?–AM Kuruvilla
A movie on Manto has to be made very carefully
Happened to read the piece by Nandita Das ('Manto created characters with great empathy, but how do you encapsulate his life story?'). Shall be anxiously waiting for the film. Hope it is made in the right scale and detail, after all a movie on such a subject cannot be made over and over. And I liked your site, too. :)–Soubhik Sen
Decoding the Indian publishing industry based on a few publishers
This piece implies that "India’s biggest English language publishers – the majority of whom are global corporations" are the only ones of consequence in the country's translation story ('Why aren’t translations the big story of Indian publishing?'). Is Indian-languages' publishing supposed to be playing the handmaiden or valet to English-language publishers, that it needs the "promise" of being "treated equals"? Who decides which the “margins” are in the first place?
The Sahitya Akademi's publishing programme which finds no mention in this translation story is a great omission. Further, the suggestion that global sales is only waiting for those writings and translations that will "decode India" for an "international audience", read Western, is a fallacy. Can we claim to have decoded Colombia because we read Marquez?
With no understanding or even a dialogue on the ground realities of the publishing industries of Indian languages and the hierarchies therein, compounded by sheer policy neglect, this article does disservice to the publishers in Indian languages (who are not all on a uniform plane to begin with), by claiming that "local publishers have no interest in selling translation rights".–Vinutha Mallya
When riots don't break out, the police are just doing their job
To suggest that this incident took place to disrupt Obama's visit is not only far-fetched but patently absurd ('Here's why Mumbai did not burst into communal riots despite Sunday's flashpoint'). There is no adequate explanation of exactly what the police did that was so different other than praising Commissioner Maria. Poor reporting and a disappointing read from Scroll. – Atul Kumar
Stoic therapy is an old idea repackaged into something novel
I really liked the article regarding stoicism, I had never really heard of this school of philosophy. But this practice of stopping to worry about things which are out of your control is what we all already know. Thanks for sharing this idea of stoicism. :)–Lipi Ghosh
The liberals should talk to the people, not among themselves
Although Ravish Kumar has hit the nail on the head, he fails to dwell deeper to find out why the other parties/intellectuals/liberals/communists/etc. have not been able to produce clinching arguments on any public forum ('RSS has taken its message to the streets and social media. What are the liberals doing?'). I am sure it isn’t because they haven’t done their homework.
To me, the reason is because the liberals/intellectuals/communists/etc. have for several decades only communicated among themselves in their exclusive clubs and coteries. To them, discussing an issue with sound arguments should not be done in open forums as ordinary people cannot understand such highly intellectual nuances.
I hope for the good of the country and humankind as a whole that they begin to share their knowledge and learning in a more inclusive and all-embracing way.–Anna Abraham
We welcome your comments at
letters@scroll.in.
Thank you for setting the record straight ('Rani Padmini and four other Hindutva history myths exploded'). All of us are guilty of whitewashing history. How Prthviraj Chauhan became an exemplar of military might, valor and strength is the stuff of legends. He was no different from any of the terrorists that have taken center-stage these days. Extremely well-written and thoughtful article.–AC
* * *
Just because there are no written records in your eyes, they cannot be called myths! Who are you to challenge the whole mass consciousness of the country's heritage handed down over the ages, through word of mouth? You are one of those myth-busters, just like the iconoclasts who invaded India who, who think they are so superior to Hindus that they need to be "busted" of their heritage. Leave us alone! What deep satisfaction do you gain from this but trying to pull down the BJP. You are a hater of our nation! Jai Hind!–Jayashree Jaipal
* * *
This writer has no knowledge of Indian history and is writing under a false name. He surely has a lot to hide about his identity. To hell with his writing.–Savita Agarwal
* * *
Considering the fact that Scroll.in published this silly article by Girish Shahane and has started a trend to bash the Modi government before even giving it a chance to correct 60 years of Congress’ mismanagement and trying to colour Modi and the government as anti-Muslim, I am disappointed and may have to stop perusing it daily as I have done for the last 10 months.–Byravan Viswanathan
* * *
When an author says that something written in history is false, he should back his claims with suitable proof and references. In this case, nothing is provided. Is it hearsay, then?–Nandan HA
* * *
Indeed some of the statements that you have made in your article are true, such as the poetic ending to Prithviraj Chauhan in "Prithviraj Raso" and the expansionist policy of the Cholas, but where do you get the other material for your "authoritative" statements about Rani Padmini and that "Indian history does not date back to more than 3000 BC" and that India did not have a golden age before the Muslim invaders? Unless you substantiate with credible evidence, this is a worthless article and ito me you are just one of the other millions of naive pseudo-intellectuals victimised by Nehruvian philosophy resulting in a characteristic brand of neutralised Hindus, which, when you and your generation passes, will serve Bharat Varsh better. – Lekhesh Dholakia
This advice to minor writers to navigate litfests will only work in India
Some good points here and I accept this is tongue-in-cheek ('The minor writer’s guide to navigating litfests'). But giving advice to writers to arrive an hour late will only work in India, if it works at all. Anywhere else you will seen as completely unprofessional (as you indeed are), will lose your slot and will never be asked again, (unless of course you are Salman Rushdie). Also, you risk antagonising the few genuine fans who turned up especially for your reading and who you rudely kept waiting.–Umi Sinha
* * *
Great piece! Thank you.–Naveen Kishore
Constantly badgering clueless Pakistani officials is not the answer
Not surprising to see a failed state in perpetual denial ('How Pakistani papers (and their readers) viewed the boat that exploded on New Year's Eve'). What next? That Kasab in 26/11 was from the RSS; the killers of 148 innocent children in Peshawar are Indian agents; that Hafiz Sayeed and Dawood Ibrahim are social reformers in Pakistan; that Osama Bin Laden was a tourist in Abotabad; that Sri Lankan cricketers were attacked by Indian commandos in Lahore? For God's sake, please grow up.–Pawan Zutshi
* * *
Geographically, the only fishing boats that we would find near the coast of Gujarat in the Arabian Sea would either originate from Pakistan or India. Nonetheless, was it a 'terror plot'? Was someone trying to create a '31/12 after a 26/11' (as some news channels put it)?
Well, that's not likely because it isn't how terrorists have been known to behave in the past. They just won't have a suicide mission without casualties. They just won't give up without a fight. If they had to detonate a bomb, they would do in proximity to the Indian Coast Guard fleet at the least. A casual burning after an hour of chase would only suggest that this was a part of some kind of organised crime, illicit drug trade to the best, where getting caught was not an option. A lot of questions remain unanswered but constantly badgering clueless Pakistani officials on television is probably not going to answer them.–Asad Pervez
* * *
The Indian Express also says it is doubtful if the persons on the Pakistani boat were terrorists. When the news broke, some felt that the Coast Guard was seeking the limelight. Umpteen such boats and explosive materials must have landed on our coast. All are not 26/11. If they wanted proof they could have encircled the boat and caught them. The Coast Guard did not inform other agencies, perhaps because they did not want other agencies to come for the mission. That is the basic suspicion.–Paresh R Vaidya
Eight-month-old jailed in anti-conversion case
Very bold piece... as usual by Supriya Sharma.–Malini Subramaniam
Why do we want approval from the West for our music?
I read through the article ("How the West came to love Indian film music" and wondered why, to this day, we look to the West for approval. Indian music is a niche and, might I add, rare obsession in the West. One is far more likely to find K-pop/Manga obsessed teen nerds in the US and elsewhere than someone able to tell the difference between the Mangeshkar sisters. That doesn't of course say anything about the beauty of our music. But I wish to drive a deeper point here. I cannot fathom why the legitimacy of Indian art, music and culture should be derived from the West. One wonders what with the reflexive nationalism this country is getting into, in this age of Modi, whether we're undergoing a catharsis as to who we really are as Indians despite the Nehru consensus. An ancient civilisation, yet considered backward by those who matter at the high table, the nation seems to go into a collective brouhaha every single time some crumbs are thrown from the high table. I hope the evolution of a national identity in the coming years, leads to not only a more self-assured Indian, but also someone who's confidence is based on an India that really is developed.–Tushar Khanna
India was never secular to have become communal after Modi's win
This is with regard to your recent article titled '2014, the year India became a Hindu state'. I liked the article overall but disagreed with some of the things you write.
You also frame the current situation in India as one where the country has gone from being a secular society to a communal one after Modi's win. This is wrong, because the Indian cultural and social landscape was always undergirded by Brahminical morality and caste-Hindu practices. For example, Perry Anderson in his essay, After Nehru, describes the day India got Independence thus: "To hallow the solemn occasion, Nehru and his colleagues sat cross-legged around a sacred fire in Delhi while Hindu priests – arrived posthaste from Tanjore for the ritual – chanted hymns and sprinkled holy water over them, and women imprinted their foreheads with vermilion. Three hours later, on the stroke of midnight, 14 August 1947, a date and time stipulated by Hindu astrologers, Nehru assured his broadcast listeners that their ‘tryst with destiny’ was consummated, and had given birth to the Indian Republic." Many Dalit scholars have provided a comprehensive critique of the "Hindutva-laced socialism" of Indian National Congress that was to be the precursor of the modern-day BJP. Do read up on this issues more, so that your article shows a much more grounded take on current Indian polity from an anti-caste perspective.–Gilligan Thomas
The biggest debut novel of 2015
Beautiful story. Can’t stop the tears!–Sandy Tatham
Excellent analysis by Ghanshyam Shah must also act on it
Ghanshyam Shah is very right in saying that liberals have not built a brick by brick structure in India to counter RSS and other fundamentalist organisation now on high spirits under the new government ('‘The idea that Narendra Modi has become a moderate is wishful thinking’'). But that’s not the point. Liberals have failed this country miserably. Look at Ghanshyam Shah himself. He and his likes are too scared to stand for their beliefs. They are just comfortable being arm chair critics of everything and earn bread by appear on channel shows as sociology experts.
Another thing about these liberals is that they are egocentric and unwilling to work in group and also be more vocal about their thoughts. Nor are they even willing to even extend some moral support in public for liberal persons who do speak up and take on the system.
I can go on but it’s of no use as Shah will be busy giving another interview on why things are bad. Talk is cheap, Mr Shah. Act.–Kailash Rajpurohit
* * *
My thanks to Ghanshyam Shah. His excellent analysis shows that we were on a slippery slope long before the advent of the lumpen regime. This applies to the government at the national level as well. Once there is a compromise, we can never get back to ground zero.–Shereen Ratnagar
Sanjay Dutt's furloughs happened because we let them happen
Before you form an opinion about me, let me tell you I am not a Dutt fan or a Salman fan as much. I do watch Bolly flicks now and then and do enjoy their performances but that's about it. Now my simple reason to write to you is to question your purpose of writing this article ('Sanjay Dutt row proves that for Bollywood, you can be innocent even after being proven guilty').
According to you, Sanjay Dutt is having his way too easy just because he is from a creamy layer of Bollywood, he is influential and popular and can have his way around the law. I believe your argument is similar also for Salman Khan. To the best of my knowledge, people working their way around the law happens because we let it happen. Even as this article was being written, Dutt was making merry, and even as I am writing this reply to you, some top-notch lawyer must be typing his extension on medical grounds which he will surely get. Doesn't your article then become plain rhetoric?–Rohit Daga
Sardesai and Goswami aren't doing anyone good in the Pushkar case
This is ridiculous ('Who solved the Sunanda Pushkar case: Rajdeep or Arnab?'). The police has just registered an FIR. They are not yet sure as to who are the culprits. Then how can these two gentlemen discuss the issue on their channels and pass judgement? In any case, it will be a misnomer to call Arnab Goswami's programme a debate or discussion. It is so chaotic that the atmosphere in a fish market is better.–PL Roongta
* * *
Unfortunately in India the police is extremely corrupt and guided by the party in power. They make a mess of the investigation process and cannot be trusted. They need to act quickly, efficiently and independently.
News channels are in the business of increasing TRPs. However, they put pressure on the police and government to do something about a botched up investigation. They create awareness about the injustice by making a noise and drama.
If the police and courts worked properly, these channels would not have had an opportunity to create a story. I actually believe you should watch these channels as much for theatre as justice. There is no reason to get emotional about them. – Pankaj Vohra
* * *
It is very funny that when the big guns do some nonsense, the media wastes a lot of time – theirs and outs. But when ordinary people asked for support from media when my daughter was murdered, I did not see Sardesai or anybody coming to our help. Life is always important; why is the media partisan?–AM Kuruvilla
A movie on Manto has to be made very carefully
Happened to read the piece by Nandita Das ('Manto created characters with great empathy, but how do you encapsulate his life story?'). Shall be anxiously waiting for the film. Hope it is made in the right scale and detail, after all a movie on such a subject cannot be made over and over. And I liked your site, too. :)–Soubhik Sen
Decoding the Indian publishing industry based on a few publishers
This piece implies that "India’s biggest English language publishers – the majority of whom are global corporations" are the only ones of consequence in the country's translation story ('Why aren’t translations the big story of Indian publishing?'). Is Indian-languages' publishing supposed to be playing the handmaiden or valet to English-language publishers, that it needs the "promise" of being "treated equals"? Who decides which the “margins” are in the first place?
The Sahitya Akademi's publishing programme which finds no mention in this translation story is a great omission. Further, the suggestion that global sales is only waiting for those writings and translations that will "decode India" for an "international audience", read Western, is a fallacy. Can we claim to have decoded Colombia because we read Marquez?
With no understanding or even a dialogue on the ground realities of the publishing industries of Indian languages and the hierarchies therein, compounded by sheer policy neglect, this article does disservice to the publishers in Indian languages (who are not all on a uniform plane to begin with), by claiming that "local publishers have no interest in selling translation rights".–Vinutha Mallya
When riots don't break out, the police are just doing their job
To suggest that this incident took place to disrupt Obama's visit is not only far-fetched but patently absurd ('Here's why Mumbai did not burst into communal riots despite Sunday's flashpoint'). There is no adequate explanation of exactly what the police did that was so different other than praising Commissioner Maria. Poor reporting and a disappointing read from Scroll. – Atul Kumar
Stoic therapy is an old idea repackaged into something novel
I really liked the article regarding stoicism, I had never really heard of this school of philosophy. But this practice of stopping to worry about things which are out of your control is what we all already know. Thanks for sharing this idea of stoicism. :)–Lipi Ghosh
The liberals should talk to the people, not among themselves
Although Ravish Kumar has hit the nail on the head, he fails to dwell deeper to find out why the other parties/intellectuals/liberals/communists/etc. have not been able to produce clinching arguments on any public forum ('RSS has taken its message to the streets and social media. What are the liberals doing?'). I am sure it isn’t because they haven’t done their homework.
To me, the reason is because the liberals/intellectuals/communists/etc. have for several decades only communicated among themselves in their exclusive clubs and coteries. To them, discussing an issue with sound arguments should not be done in open forums as ordinary people cannot understand such highly intellectual nuances.
I hope for the good of the country and humankind as a whole that they begin to share their knowledge and learning in a more inclusive and all-embracing way.–Anna Abraham