Politics of beef ban
As the author writes in the manipulation of the beef ban, cow protection is not targeted patchily (“Maharashtra’s beef ban shows how politicians manipulate Hindu sentiments around cow slaughter”). Industries are equally targeted by vigilant groups with the help of state bodies, as they choke the supply of cows to these industrial houses. Do an extensive survey of how vigilant groups like Gau Raksha Dal have largely curtailed the transport of cows for use in these industries. It is not merely a political issue – the largesse is against the trafficking of the cow. – Balaram Arjun
***
There will be more holy cows roaming our pot holed roads coming under the category of VVIP. – Chilee Cheeze
***
I particularly liked this Scroll.in article. The author has correctly exposed how the issue of cow slaughter is used solely to score political points. About the law itself, I want to point out how it is extraordinarily harsh.
Under the NDPS Act, a person found in possession for personal use of small quantities of ganja (upto 1 kg) can be sentenced to a maximum of only six months in prison (Section 27) and can even get immunity from prosecution if he agrees to undergo de-addiction treatment (Section 64A). Against this backdrop it is ridiculous that the punishment for possession of beef is 5 years imprisonment while possession of a banned drug can land you in jail for only 6 months. The Maharashtra law is thus not only unnecessary and politically motivated but also unduly harsh. – Sagar Godbole
***
The article would be different if written not by author Shoiab Daniyal. Confused views have been expressed in the article. There are references to history, but the author is not ready to accept the ban on cow slaughter now. The article is very biased, misguiding and adamantly disrespects the majority democratic demand. – MR AJC
***
Why are you politicising Maharashtra's beef ban law? It is the law that is rightfully ours, and it should have been imposed long ago. First Britishers made the law for cow slaughter and now when someone is trying to correct that, you are making it an issue. You don’t understand how painful it is to get slaughtered. So don’t make an issue of it. – Sanjib Roy
Rahul Gandhi
There is an inaccuracy in your article about email to Rahul Gandhi (“Congress insiders agog as email attacking Rahul Gandhi does the rounds”). The email you quote says, "As Shakespeare once said, ‘It is better to be a king in hell than a servant in heaven.’” Shakespeare never said any such thing. The closest I could find is the line "Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven" from John Milton's Paradise Lost. – Chandrasekhar N
***
Zero plus or minus or multiplied or divided by zero gives the same result. That’s the same for Rahul Gandhi. – Jyoti Pande
Rape of reason
Most of us have not seen the India’s Daughter documentary, and have only heard it in discussions. We are in no position to discuss the film. But it seems to me that man, any man, who does these awful things needs to be exposed, whether Strauss-Kahn or Mukesh Singh. Their disgusting defences will surely force some men to recognise themselves and their views in these vile creatures. Isn't that the reason to show the film? (“Rape, rape culture and the debate over India's Daughter”). – Krishna Lahiri Majumdar
***
A very thoughtful and balanced review, and, beyond that, interesting and illuminating background information on the context of the genre. – GS Dastur
***
Dear Kavita Krishnan, from one Indian woman to other, seriously, what are you saying?
Are you denying that a rape occurs at shocking frequency in India? Are you denying that there is deep-rooted sexism in the country which kills its daughters before they are born and burns them to death after marriage? Why are you so defensive? Arguing that it happens elsewhere in “the civilised world” does not make it acceptable. Many points you make are laughable. That Mukesh Sharma was made to talk to the interviewers by his mother is ludicrous. Did he similarly take permission from his mother before he raped the girl? He is a grown man who is and should be responsible for his own actions. The only point you make that makes any sense is that sexism exists everywhere. But when scandals of this nature are exposed in the ‘white/civilised/developed world' (call it what you may), no one cries – oh, but it happens everywhere! It is not justified anywhere. So stop being defensive. – Anupama Shrotri
All that bull
I feel pain when I hear some people opposing the beef ban in the name of freedom of expression or choice (“'Why do gais have all the fun?', 'There's lots at steak': #BeefBan takes over Twitter”). These people will say anything just to sound cool and liberal. I find it difficult to understand that why murder of a human being is considered the biggest crime under any law but murder of an animal is not only allowed but considered a right. Imagine a constitution written by cows.
I am against mixing of religion and politics and feel that no law should be made just for the appeasement of a religious community. But in this case, I am in favour of it. Religion in general has very few good ideas and banning beef is one of them. When we oppose all the regressive ideas that come out of religion, we should also welcome few good ones that religion has to offer. – Sandeep Kandwal
Partition's trauma
My parents were born and raised in Lahore and Karachi. Partition was indeed the most traumatic, monumental thing that happened in their lives. They left behind a way of life and the look on their faces spoke volumes at the very mention of their first home (“Remnants of a separation: An alternative history of Partition”).
Now settled in New Jersey (having grown up in Mumbai) perhaps I can understand a little of their sense of displacement. I moved here under different circumstances but, yes, the memory of friends, the scents and sounds of a place triggered by a mere word, a tune, is still the most intense of experiences. I thank Aanchal Malhotra for sharing her grandfather's story – an extremely poignant and moving account – I am now rethinking the importance of belongings. – Poonam Chawla
***
I liked the article. It was a good effort. – Pushplata Shali
Virat Excuse
I was stunned to read the article about Virat Kohli abusing a journalist, where you justify his behaviour by saying, "Of course, one cannot blame Kohli for not recognising a senior journalist from a national mainline daily" (“Virat Kohli lets his tongue do the talking – with the wrong person!”).
What a shame! Do you mean to say that Virat has the right to pull up a journalist for the scoop? Please do not use this example for telling BCCI that their ban on individual interactions with journalists is the cause for this. – Anna Abraham
The nation objects
I agree with the author Kavita Krishnan on Arnab Goswami being rude (“Zehn ki loot: The plunder of reason by Arnab Goswami”). I saw that programme, you were gutsy and stood up against all that male nastiness and rudeness. Bravo! – Ayesha Karim
***
I do not normally watch the show hosted by Arnab Goswami, as he is a bad host and a bully. I saw the references to this particular show on Facebook and wasted 30 minutes of my time. Kavita Krishnan's description and analysis in the article is a very accurate version of what took place on the show. I had personally advised John Dayal and others not to appear on such shows. I certainly complement Priya Pillai, Kavita Krishnan and John Dayal for doing what they did.
However, let me advise them again that there are far better ways to get their message across internationally than going in front of a loud-mouthed foolish host. Bullies are cowards. Arnab Goswami is no exception. – Annikki Matthan
Desi pride
I saw the video of the Sikh chefs and I am so moved by it (“Video: The Sikhs who make Italy's famous Grana Padano cheese”). I am from South India and I am currently pursuing my masters in Advanced Robotics in Genova, Liguria. I am brown and am judged every other day in Italy. This video can really make a positive impact on the lives of many people like me, not necessarily Indians but anyone who is judged for their colour and their appearance. I truly believe that the merit you give to people comes with the amount of hardwork they put into the situation and make a difference, even if it is a small one. Once again, great work guys. – Yeshasvi Tirupachuri
***
I am proud to be an Indian and more so to realise how our own Sikhs have assimilated themselves in Italy and produce Grano Pradano cheese (one of my favorites!). Yes, hardworking and pragmatic Sikhs do bring laurels to our country. God bless them all. – Jayadev
Wah, ustad!
I liked the article on Raag Bahar (“Enjoy the scrumptuous raag Bahar with a variety of toppings”). I was immediately reminded of the bandish 'sakal ban phool rahi sarson' in fast gusto by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali, which is available in Sony Ninaad series of cassettes. My daughter Rubai shared this article with me. I have caseette player in my car on which I will play the Bahar of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for her. – Dr RY Shinde
The missing detail
I had a small criticism to make of the article by Mayank Jain on the all-India march against the Lyngdoh Committee Recommendations and the proposed Central Universities Act (“'Smriti Irani, Go Back!': new credit system unites students across universities in protest”). There is no mention of the lathi charge that followed the breaking of the barricade by unarmed students to march forward and register our complaint.
While certainly balanced and objective in its reportage, as one of the student protestors who witnessed and was at the receiving end of Delhi police's lathi charge, I found myself dismayed by the omission of this turn of events in the piece. As we all know, these are dark times, and a government that would unleash violence disproportionate to the nature of the protest is to be written about as being so. I would certainly not support any dramatic embellishments but these are facts that deserved a mention in the article. – Kamayani
Unofficially, AAP
It is surprising that the otherwise sensible Ajaz Ashraf is losing his objectivity and becoming an unofficial spokesperson of Arvind Kejiriwal (“AAP crisis isn't a battle of ideas: it's a sign of irreconcilable differences between former friends”). From the statements of Yadav, Bhusans and Arvind over the last couple of months, it was obvious to many that there is quite an ideological difference. And it was a question of time before it blasted out. Not Medaha Patkar and many others have become silent or moved away. The list is endless. In many south Indian states too, serious activists with AAP are raising questions. It ignores all this and reduces it to a personality issue, and is lazy analysis to say the least. – Rudra Prayag
Death of the author
The comparison of Avijit Roy and Perumal Murugan is apt (“How to kill a writer: Avijit Roy and Perumal Murugan”). One was killed literally and the other figuratively, but to the same effect: silencing their voices. But Murugan's silencing is more shocking of the two because Bangladesh does not claim to be the largest democracy in the world. That claim is made only on behalf of India. The feebleness of protest in support of Murugan is the real story here. Democratic Indians need worry. – Ujjal Dosanjh
Change the model
I commend Anjali Mody's piece on Essar leaks (“Aftermath of Essar leaks shows that some journalists simply don't understand media ethics”). She has hit a nail on the head about the nexus between corporate media and the powers that be. Chomsky and Herman have brought it out excellently in their seminal "Manufacturing Consent". As Mody has pointed out, until the business model alters, there cannot be much hope for change. – Melanie
Admirable Admiral
After having gone through Admiral Ramdas’ letter, I really feel short of words for admiring his ability to manage the situation (“Full text: Admiral Ramdas writes to AAP leaders urging them to be 'together and united'”). He deserves full credit for the same.
It is because of people like him and many others that ordinary people like us are able to see this otherwise impossible thing happening in this country. We fully agree with his suggestions/ recommendations in the long run of the party. There is huge contribution of leaders like Prashantji, Yogendraji. Many other leaders worked day in and day out for this party, and it is imperative to consider their views & suggestions. – Shyamsundar Nerurkar
Missing 'Muslim'
One thing I noticed in the article about religious fanatics in Bangladesh is that the word Muslim was absent throughout despite it being an Islamic outrage (“Murder of atheist blogger in Bangladesh shows religious fanatics are out of control”). If it were a Hindu mob, how great would the screaming have been. Do ask the author why he avoided the word. – Kochu Menon
Two questions
This is not the first instance that Arnab Goswami has done this (“Full text: Arnab Goswami violates norms of professionalism and fairness, say activists in open letter”). He does this repeatedly in all his panel discussions. The News Hour on Times Now is seems like an "Arnab Goswami's Point of View" channel. If he does not subscribe to a given point, he does not even listen to the other side.
Just look at the debates when he invites Pakistani gentlemen to the debate. He behaves more like a war monger, insulting them, poking fun at them, and ridiculing them. I think he does it because he thinks that this will make him a favourite amongst all Pakistan haters in India (sad part is that maybe it does too). He is always trying to prove that he is "the patriot" among patriots.
Having said all this, I am stumped by two things :
1) Why do you people show up for his debates? Assuming that you already know his line of thought, why call insult upon oneself. This is not a platform for environmentalists to make their point. He will always lead the debate to the other side.
2) What's wrong with the people who always get ridiculed in his debates and still show up the next day? Are you guys seeking popularity as well?
There are other ways of putting forth your points of view. If anything, Times Now is not a fair platform, especially with Arnab Goswami anchoring it. – TJ Dsouza
***
Arnab is a stooge of corporates who claims that he is the nation. Therefore he says, "The nation wants to know." – Saji Pal
Missing the point
Your article on India’s Daughter documentary being banned completely misses the point (“India's Daughter must be telecast: it forces us to admit that anti-women attitudes are ubiquitous”). Everything need not be contrived and self-vested. It captures the mindset of Indians.
No, you can’t rape a woman even if one is a porn artist, professional sex worker, even if they walk naked or if it is the husband who feel it’s his right to force it on to them. Sex is always consensual. I don’t want to be called an Indian. I live in a sick society and country. There are no efforts being made to change this dysfunctional, morbid, sick, monstrous country, society or its people.
Men and women follow the diktats of the patriarchal dominance. Civil society has no power and holds onto regressive views and opinions on women's honour, shame, modesty and place on earth. Our education system is skewed and reinforces crimes against women being their own fault.
The judiciary or the government has no accountability either. Why is this film banned? It completely captures the mind sets of our country and its people. Every human being should watch and share this film to educate, become aware and shift such mindsets now. Thank you Leslee Udwin, this film should be screened in every college and school in India. – Piyali Dasgupta
***
I have lived in India, Pakistan, UK, Canada and the United States. Discrimination against women is rife in people of the Indian sub-continent, and they take that with them to other countries. Forced wedding and other aspects of misogyny is common among the expatriates in Europe and North America. It is a bit difficult to say if it is more among Muslims, but it is surely worse in Pakistan than in India.
Arab countries, Iran and most African countries practice more misogyny. Japan is still living in the middle age, as is China in this respect. Among the western countries, women enjoy higher status, though not quite equal to that of men.
Shutting one's eyes does not make one see better. The film must be telecast. – Akhtar Ehtisham
***
Rapists must die without any second thought. Because the rapist is not only violating others human rights, but is fuelling the courage of rouges. – SM Ali
Fundamental flaw
Siddharth Peter D'Souza's comparison between Merkel and Modi facing divisive movements in their respective countries, though made a good reading, was fundamentally flawed (“Modi and Merkel: dealing with the challenge from the fringe”). Angela Merkel reflecting a solidly constitutional, secular democracy is dead against the divisive PEGIDA, while Narendra Modi, though presiding over a constitutional democracy, is avowedly pro-Hindutva, as conceived by the divisive Saffron Brigade. While Merkel lent her physical presence in support of the followers of Islam in Germany, Modi chose the absence from a single Mosque or Church, but offered lip sympathy when more was called for. One is a stateswoman in a climate of enlightened dissent, the other a trumped up politician, playing statesman in a polity of blind sycophancy. – Ronnie Patel
President Rahul
Rahul Gandhi’s new plan is to break up constituencies according to occupations and jobs – street vendors, manufacturers, domestic workers, etc – and evolve a development plan according to their needs and ambitions (“Exclusive: A peek at Rahul Gandhi’s grand plan to revive Congress”). This is the apt strategy Indian National Congress has to adopt in all 543 constituencies. Please take it forward. We can surely rise up as Phoenix does. Kudos Rahulji! Become Congress president and make Priyanka the prime minister. – V Amaladasan
Bravo!
The Daily Fix is a good compilation of major events. – Lakshminarayanan Iyer
We welcome your comments at
letters@scroll.in.
As the author writes in the manipulation of the beef ban, cow protection is not targeted patchily (“Maharashtra’s beef ban shows how politicians manipulate Hindu sentiments around cow slaughter”). Industries are equally targeted by vigilant groups with the help of state bodies, as they choke the supply of cows to these industrial houses. Do an extensive survey of how vigilant groups like Gau Raksha Dal have largely curtailed the transport of cows for use in these industries. It is not merely a political issue – the largesse is against the trafficking of the cow. – Balaram Arjun
***
There will be more holy cows roaming our pot holed roads coming under the category of VVIP. – Chilee Cheeze
***
I particularly liked this Scroll.in article. The author has correctly exposed how the issue of cow slaughter is used solely to score political points. About the law itself, I want to point out how it is extraordinarily harsh.
Under the NDPS Act, a person found in possession for personal use of small quantities of ganja (upto 1 kg) can be sentenced to a maximum of only six months in prison (Section 27) and can even get immunity from prosecution if he agrees to undergo de-addiction treatment (Section 64A). Against this backdrop it is ridiculous that the punishment for possession of beef is 5 years imprisonment while possession of a banned drug can land you in jail for only 6 months. The Maharashtra law is thus not only unnecessary and politically motivated but also unduly harsh. – Sagar Godbole
***
The article would be different if written not by author Shoiab Daniyal. Confused views have been expressed in the article. There are references to history, but the author is not ready to accept the ban on cow slaughter now. The article is very biased, misguiding and adamantly disrespects the majority democratic demand. – MR AJC
***
Why are you politicising Maharashtra's beef ban law? It is the law that is rightfully ours, and it should have been imposed long ago. First Britishers made the law for cow slaughter and now when someone is trying to correct that, you are making it an issue. You don’t understand how painful it is to get slaughtered. So don’t make an issue of it. – Sanjib Roy
Rahul Gandhi
There is an inaccuracy in your article about email to Rahul Gandhi (“Congress insiders agog as email attacking Rahul Gandhi does the rounds”). The email you quote says, "As Shakespeare once said, ‘It is better to be a king in hell than a servant in heaven.’” Shakespeare never said any such thing. The closest I could find is the line "Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven" from John Milton's Paradise Lost. – Chandrasekhar N
***
Zero plus or minus or multiplied or divided by zero gives the same result. That’s the same for Rahul Gandhi. – Jyoti Pande
Rape of reason
Most of us have not seen the India’s Daughter documentary, and have only heard it in discussions. We are in no position to discuss the film. But it seems to me that man, any man, who does these awful things needs to be exposed, whether Strauss-Kahn or Mukesh Singh. Their disgusting defences will surely force some men to recognise themselves and their views in these vile creatures. Isn't that the reason to show the film? (“Rape, rape culture and the debate over India's Daughter”). – Krishna Lahiri Majumdar
***
A very thoughtful and balanced review, and, beyond that, interesting and illuminating background information on the context of the genre. – GS Dastur
***
Dear Kavita Krishnan, from one Indian woman to other, seriously, what are you saying?
Are you denying that a rape occurs at shocking frequency in India? Are you denying that there is deep-rooted sexism in the country which kills its daughters before they are born and burns them to death after marriage? Why are you so defensive? Arguing that it happens elsewhere in “the civilised world” does not make it acceptable. Many points you make are laughable. That Mukesh Sharma was made to talk to the interviewers by his mother is ludicrous. Did he similarly take permission from his mother before he raped the girl? He is a grown man who is and should be responsible for his own actions. The only point you make that makes any sense is that sexism exists everywhere. But when scandals of this nature are exposed in the ‘white/civilised/developed world' (call it what you may), no one cries – oh, but it happens everywhere! It is not justified anywhere. So stop being defensive. – Anupama Shrotri
All that bull
I feel pain when I hear some people opposing the beef ban in the name of freedom of expression or choice (“'Why do gais have all the fun?', 'There's lots at steak': #BeefBan takes over Twitter”). These people will say anything just to sound cool and liberal. I find it difficult to understand that why murder of a human being is considered the biggest crime under any law but murder of an animal is not only allowed but considered a right. Imagine a constitution written by cows.
I am against mixing of religion and politics and feel that no law should be made just for the appeasement of a religious community. But in this case, I am in favour of it. Religion in general has very few good ideas and banning beef is one of them. When we oppose all the regressive ideas that come out of religion, we should also welcome few good ones that religion has to offer. – Sandeep Kandwal
Partition's trauma
My parents were born and raised in Lahore and Karachi. Partition was indeed the most traumatic, monumental thing that happened in their lives. They left behind a way of life and the look on their faces spoke volumes at the very mention of their first home (“Remnants of a separation: An alternative history of Partition”).
Now settled in New Jersey (having grown up in Mumbai) perhaps I can understand a little of their sense of displacement. I moved here under different circumstances but, yes, the memory of friends, the scents and sounds of a place triggered by a mere word, a tune, is still the most intense of experiences. I thank Aanchal Malhotra for sharing her grandfather's story – an extremely poignant and moving account – I am now rethinking the importance of belongings. – Poonam Chawla
***
I liked the article. It was a good effort. – Pushplata Shali
Virat Excuse
I was stunned to read the article about Virat Kohli abusing a journalist, where you justify his behaviour by saying, "Of course, one cannot blame Kohli for not recognising a senior journalist from a national mainline daily" (“Virat Kohli lets his tongue do the talking – with the wrong person!”).
What a shame! Do you mean to say that Virat has the right to pull up a journalist for the scoop? Please do not use this example for telling BCCI that their ban on individual interactions with journalists is the cause for this. – Anna Abraham
The nation objects
I agree with the author Kavita Krishnan on Arnab Goswami being rude (“Zehn ki loot: The plunder of reason by Arnab Goswami”). I saw that programme, you were gutsy and stood up against all that male nastiness and rudeness. Bravo! – Ayesha Karim
***
I do not normally watch the show hosted by Arnab Goswami, as he is a bad host and a bully. I saw the references to this particular show on Facebook and wasted 30 minutes of my time. Kavita Krishnan's description and analysis in the article is a very accurate version of what took place on the show. I had personally advised John Dayal and others not to appear on such shows. I certainly complement Priya Pillai, Kavita Krishnan and John Dayal for doing what they did.
However, let me advise them again that there are far better ways to get their message across internationally than going in front of a loud-mouthed foolish host. Bullies are cowards. Arnab Goswami is no exception. – Annikki Matthan
Desi pride
I saw the video of the Sikh chefs and I am so moved by it (“Video: The Sikhs who make Italy's famous Grana Padano cheese”). I am from South India and I am currently pursuing my masters in Advanced Robotics in Genova, Liguria. I am brown and am judged every other day in Italy. This video can really make a positive impact on the lives of many people like me, not necessarily Indians but anyone who is judged for their colour and their appearance. I truly believe that the merit you give to people comes with the amount of hardwork they put into the situation and make a difference, even if it is a small one. Once again, great work guys. – Yeshasvi Tirupachuri
***
I am proud to be an Indian and more so to realise how our own Sikhs have assimilated themselves in Italy and produce Grano Pradano cheese (one of my favorites!). Yes, hardworking and pragmatic Sikhs do bring laurels to our country. God bless them all. – Jayadev
Wah, ustad!
I liked the article on Raag Bahar (“Enjoy the scrumptuous raag Bahar with a variety of toppings”). I was immediately reminded of the bandish 'sakal ban phool rahi sarson' in fast gusto by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali, which is available in Sony Ninaad series of cassettes. My daughter Rubai shared this article with me. I have caseette player in my car on which I will play the Bahar of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for her. – Dr RY Shinde
The missing detail
I had a small criticism to make of the article by Mayank Jain on the all-India march against the Lyngdoh Committee Recommendations and the proposed Central Universities Act (“'Smriti Irani, Go Back!': new credit system unites students across universities in protest”). There is no mention of the lathi charge that followed the breaking of the barricade by unarmed students to march forward and register our complaint.
While certainly balanced and objective in its reportage, as one of the student protestors who witnessed and was at the receiving end of Delhi police's lathi charge, I found myself dismayed by the omission of this turn of events in the piece. As we all know, these are dark times, and a government that would unleash violence disproportionate to the nature of the protest is to be written about as being so. I would certainly not support any dramatic embellishments but these are facts that deserved a mention in the article. – Kamayani
Unofficially, AAP
It is surprising that the otherwise sensible Ajaz Ashraf is losing his objectivity and becoming an unofficial spokesperson of Arvind Kejiriwal (“AAP crisis isn't a battle of ideas: it's a sign of irreconcilable differences between former friends”). From the statements of Yadav, Bhusans and Arvind over the last couple of months, it was obvious to many that there is quite an ideological difference. And it was a question of time before it blasted out. Not Medaha Patkar and many others have become silent or moved away. The list is endless. In many south Indian states too, serious activists with AAP are raising questions. It ignores all this and reduces it to a personality issue, and is lazy analysis to say the least. – Rudra Prayag
Death of the author
The comparison of Avijit Roy and Perumal Murugan is apt (“How to kill a writer: Avijit Roy and Perumal Murugan”). One was killed literally and the other figuratively, but to the same effect: silencing their voices. But Murugan's silencing is more shocking of the two because Bangladesh does not claim to be the largest democracy in the world. That claim is made only on behalf of India. The feebleness of protest in support of Murugan is the real story here. Democratic Indians need worry. – Ujjal Dosanjh
Change the model
I commend Anjali Mody's piece on Essar leaks (“Aftermath of Essar leaks shows that some journalists simply don't understand media ethics”). She has hit a nail on the head about the nexus between corporate media and the powers that be. Chomsky and Herman have brought it out excellently in their seminal "Manufacturing Consent". As Mody has pointed out, until the business model alters, there cannot be much hope for change. – Melanie
Admirable Admiral
After having gone through Admiral Ramdas’ letter, I really feel short of words for admiring his ability to manage the situation (“Full text: Admiral Ramdas writes to AAP leaders urging them to be 'together and united'”). He deserves full credit for the same.
It is because of people like him and many others that ordinary people like us are able to see this otherwise impossible thing happening in this country. We fully agree with his suggestions/ recommendations in the long run of the party. There is huge contribution of leaders like Prashantji, Yogendraji. Many other leaders worked day in and day out for this party, and it is imperative to consider their views & suggestions. – Shyamsundar Nerurkar
Missing 'Muslim'
One thing I noticed in the article about religious fanatics in Bangladesh is that the word Muslim was absent throughout despite it being an Islamic outrage (“Murder of atheist blogger in Bangladesh shows religious fanatics are out of control”). If it were a Hindu mob, how great would the screaming have been. Do ask the author why he avoided the word. – Kochu Menon
Two questions
This is not the first instance that Arnab Goswami has done this (“Full text: Arnab Goswami violates norms of professionalism and fairness, say activists in open letter”). He does this repeatedly in all his panel discussions. The News Hour on Times Now is seems like an "Arnab Goswami's Point of View" channel. If he does not subscribe to a given point, he does not even listen to the other side.
Just look at the debates when he invites Pakistani gentlemen to the debate. He behaves more like a war monger, insulting them, poking fun at them, and ridiculing them. I think he does it because he thinks that this will make him a favourite amongst all Pakistan haters in India (sad part is that maybe it does too). He is always trying to prove that he is "the patriot" among patriots.
Having said all this, I am stumped by two things :
1) Why do you people show up for his debates? Assuming that you already know his line of thought, why call insult upon oneself. This is not a platform for environmentalists to make their point. He will always lead the debate to the other side.
2) What's wrong with the people who always get ridiculed in his debates and still show up the next day? Are you guys seeking popularity as well?
There are other ways of putting forth your points of view. If anything, Times Now is not a fair platform, especially with Arnab Goswami anchoring it. – TJ Dsouza
***
Arnab is a stooge of corporates who claims that he is the nation. Therefore he says, "The nation wants to know." – Saji Pal
Missing the point
Your article on India’s Daughter documentary being banned completely misses the point (“India's Daughter must be telecast: it forces us to admit that anti-women attitudes are ubiquitous”). Everything need not be contrived and self-vested. It captures the mindset of Indians.
No, you can’t rape a woman even if one is a porn artist, professional sex worker, even if they walk naked or if it is the husband who feel it’s his right to force it on to them. Sex is always consensual. I don’t want to be called an Indian. I live in a sick society and country. There are no efforts being made to change this dysfunctional, morbid, sick, monstrous country, society or its people.
Men and women follow the diktats of the patriarchal dominance. Civil society has no power and holds onto regressive views and opinions on women's honour, shame, modesty and place on earth. Our education system is skewed and reinforces crimes against women being their own fault.
The judiciary or the government has no accountability either. Why is this film banned? It completely captures the mind sets of our country and its people. Every human being should watch and share this film to educate, become aware and shift such mindsets now. Thank you Leslee Udwin, this film should be screened in every college and school in India. – Piyali Dasgupta
***
I have lived in India, Pakistan, UK, Canada and the United States. Discrimination against women is rife in people of the Indian sub-continent, and they take that with them to other countries. Forced wedding and other aspects of misogyny is common among the expatriates in Europe and North America. It is a bit difficult to say if it is more among Muslims, but it is surely worse in Pakistan than in India.
Arab countries, Iran and most African countries practice more misogyny. Japan is still living in the middle age, as is China in this respect. Among the western countries, women enjoy higher status, though not quite equal to that of men.
Shutting one's eyes does not make one see better. The film must be telecast. – Akhtar Ehtisham
***
Rapists must die without any second thought. Because the rapist is not only violating others human rights, but is fuelling the courage of rouges. – SM Ali
Fundamental flaw
Siddharth Peter D'Souza's comparison between Merkel and Modi facing divisive movements in their respective countries, though made a good reading, was fundamentally flawed (“Modi and Merkel: dealing with the challenge from the fringe”). Angela Merkel reflecting a solidly constitutional, secular democracy is dead against the divisive PEGIDA, while Narendra Modi, though presiding over a constitutional democracy, is avowedly pro-Hindutva, as conceived by the divisive Saffron Brigade. While Merkel lent her physical presence in support of the followers of Islam in Germany, Modi chose the absence from a single Mosque or Church, but offered lip sympathy when more was called for. One is a stateswoman in a climate of enlightened dissent, the other a trumped up politician, playing statesman in a polity of blind sycophancy. – Ronnie Patel
President Rahul
Rahul Gandhi’s new plan is to break up constituencies according to occupations and jobs – street vendors, manufacturers, domestic workers, etc – and evolve a development plan according to their needs and ambitions (“Exclusive: A peek at Rahul Gandhi’s grand plan to revive Congress”). This is the apt strategy Indian National Congress has to adopt in all 543 constituencies. Please take it forward. We can surely rise up as Phoenix does. Kudos Rahulji! Become Congress president and make Priyanka the prime minister. – V Amaladasan
Bravo!
The Daily Fix is a good compilation of major events. – Lakshminarayanan Iyer