They are a bunch of idiots
I feel it is highly irresponsible and stupid of Scroll.in to give such coverage to this bunch of idiots who call themselves “Freakers”. When progressive people of Kerala, if not the country, are trying their hardest to raise awareness against moral policing, it is downright senseless to give coverage to these publicity hounds.
Basheer Bashi and others of their ilk are infamous for their publicity-hungry acts. They consider articles such as these as a compliment.
I request the editorial team of Scroll.in to be more sensible in publishing future articles. For certain, try not to give such a platform for regressive elements of the society.-Gokul Varma
* * *
To me this attempt of “freaks” is just nothing but a publicity stunt. Nobody knows them outside of their native state, so this is a good opportunity for them to be known, in a similar way as the politicians flock to the disaster struck areas just to get publicity.
Is only “not kissing” part of Indian culture and nothing else? Why don’t they go and protest so many other things and trends which are in no way Indian, like western fast foods, western-style shopping malls, western cars/bikes, mobiles, fashion, live-in-relationships, etc. They themselves sport funky bright coloured clothes and glasses, ride hippie bikes and grows grass like hairs and goatees. And who says that kissing is not Indian? Have we forgotten that it were us who invented and written the Kamasutra?
For the information of readers, the western cultures themselves were not like this always, not even in last century. They have adopted these and other changed only after the industrialisation. There is only one constant in this world: “change”. Let’s not give the freakers any more attention than what they deserve because of their funkiness.-Subhash Kamboj
Suśruta lived 1,000 years before Scroll says he did
Mridula Chari's photo feature on Indian medicine and veterinary science is nice. She uses the resources of the Welcome Library extensively and effectively. I worked as curator of Asian materials at the Wellcome Library for 20 years, and several of the items that Chari displays were first catalogued by me.
Chari says that Suśruta lived in 600 BC. This date is wrong by about 1,000 years. The earliest historical evidence we have for Suśruta and his surgery is about 500 CE. I explained this in my book The Roots of Ayurveda (Penguin).
It's a great shame that an otherwise excellent feature is spoiled by promoting yet more inaccuracy about the history of science in India.-Dominik Wujastyk
Baffling that court distinguishes between forceful penetration and forced penetration
What is baffling is the distinction being made by the Delhi High Court between forceful penetration and forcible penetration?
What is baffling is that the presence of injuries on the vagina of the dead woman does not lead the court to infer absence of consent in the part of the woman.
What is baffling is that the Court is looking for evidence of injuries on other parts of the body to infer lack of consent.
What is baffling is that four decades after Mathura case, the Court is still looking for bodily injuries to establish that the penetration was without the woman's consent.
What is baffling is that the High Court does not pay heed to the Proviso to Explanation 2 of Section 375, which categorically states that absence of physical resistance does not imply consent for sexual activity.
What is baffling is that the penetration in this case was so severe that it led to the woman's death.
What is baffling is that there reference to the woman being menopausal at all???
What is baffling is that why can a woman who has consumed alcohol not be raped?-Vrinda Grover
* * *
Every force immediately removes the tag of consensual. This demonstrates the outdated attitudes of themale criminals calling themselves custodians of law.-Soumitra Bose
Rajiv Gandhi should be Narendra Modi's foremost political hero
The piece by Shivam Vij on “Rajiv Gandhi should be Narendra Modi's foremost hero ", sounded like a well-fabricated defense of what Congress leaders had done in 1984.
The fact of matter is that the author has not done his research on this subject. The initiating event in 1984 and 2002 were quite different. While 2002 was true communal violence, the anti-sikh riots were based on hatred. The trigger factor in the 1984 riots were a sequel to an assassination, those in 2002 were a community-based slaughter. The results were different too.
I condemn violence of any nature. The involvement of the authorities in the two situations has to be understood in the right perspective. The former was an open free for all onslaught in every state of the nation. The later was limited to a much smaller scale. The one-sided attack on Sikhs cannot be compared to 2002.-Jatinder Singh
* * *
I cannot put into words how relieved and energised I am after reading this piece.
I'd like to add that being a headstrong Indian, Muslim woman, I feel so unsafe in India. I wish to leave as soon as I complete my bachelor degree. -Scarlet Smith
Attack on Dalits in Maharashtra
I am both chilled and frightened to note this demonic, planned attack you have reported. I think one of the major problems is lack of awareness amounting to ignorance amongst non-Dalits about the true state of affairs. Dalits should organise themselves and run their own newspapers and TV channels to swiftly cover this gap.-Mini Krishnan
* * *
It is a shameful act, but these kinds of incidents are happening in all the parts of the country, Let us be united and come closure and work together for justice,Dalits' political power and Dalits' economic welfare.-Sanjanna Vidyapogu
Pakistani illustrator writes to Ben Affleck
Don't agree that Ben shut down a dialogue. He shut down a fear monger. You need a different platform to have a meaningful dialogue. -Bonange
* * *
Ben Affleck was intolerant and judgemental. He would not listen and refused to entertain any ideas screaming "racism" to the others. She is completely right is saying he did moderate Muslims a disservice and fed into the extremists by stopping the conversation.
This is happening every day in all levels of government as well. Meanwhile, extremists continue their work undeterred and are grateful for the likes of Ben affect who shut all others up by labelling them intolerant and racist when actually he was the only intolerant one there. -Cecile
* * *
Thank you, Eiynah, for your letter to Ben Affleck and for sharing it openly with the world. Because of it, I have gained a greater appreciation for those who would wish the conversation would get started but need someone else to start if for them. I hope more Muslims can be as courageous to speak out on these issues and enlighten the rest of us so that we can begin to understand and have a meaningful conversation. -Michelle Harnett
Four facts about Sardar Patel that Modi would find disappointing
I was so enthusiastic when Scroll.in had just started and I was very excited with the graphic style and free speech idea and everything. But I am sorry to say that with every passing day it’s becoming more evident that it is a mouthpiece of the Congress party. Your recent Sardar Patel article just nails the coffin finally when I am going to turn you off from my Facebook wall. Sorry but your articles are very misleading, pathetically referenced and researched. I don't say this because I am sympathetic towards right-wing parties, please make no mistake. I say this only because your narratives and facts are wrong at so many different levels that it almost can be passed on as lef-wing propaganda.
Please close give up your domain name and start afresh with a clear preamble and a new domain name.-Nitin Bathla
* * *
I have read through the article, and I have a few points to make:
1. Ramchandra Guha, for example, thinks it is ironic that Patel is being claimed by the BJP when he “was himself a lifelong Congressman”. It is assumed here that the present Congress is the same that existed since Independence, or even before that. However, the present Congress party is “Indira” Congress – Congress (I). So, it is wrong to say that Patel was a Congressman, which gives the impression that his ideology and thinking is akin to the present-day Congress party.
2. Modi himself flirted with this thought (Patel was India’s rightful first Prime Minister but was somehow cheated out of the position by Nehru) when, in October last year he attacked Nehru bemoaning the fact that Patel would have made a better prime minister. Have you considered that Modi may have said it because Patel was a lot more authoritative and patriotic person than Nehru, and his becoming the Prime Minister would have benefitted the country vastly especially at a time when India had just gained independence?
3. With regards to Babri Masjid, nowhere do you mention that he was against the Babri Masjid demolition. All he writes is that “we need to come to an amicable solution” to the issue.-Shashidhar V
* * *
This is the only truth. Read more history then you will get to know the full dal itself was kali. Do not try to present the half-truth and facts of Congress, Congressmen and Gandhi and Affiliated Gandhi Family. Please learn the true history, then comment. -Ujwal Kumar
* * *
The article about Sardar Patel and the present government's approach to him is highly prejudiced. It is a fact that Sardar Patel has been side-lined by Nehru. The present government is right in celebrating the Iron Man's achievements in unifying India. Some disjointed remarks are made much of to paint that Sardar Patel was against RSS. On the other hand there are unimpeachable records to prove that Patel stood strongly for nationalism and wanted to put to an end to divisive forces which ended in partitioning this country on religious lines.-JR Krishnan
* * *
Open letter to people in India celebrating Halloween
A bit lost. What's the point of this article? Sarcasm a la the west? Then the article didn't succeed. Sarcasm not good enough and poignant enough. Dissuasion? What's the point? Things are personal and people do what they want. Try harder.-Anoop Anantharaman
* * *
I understand your article was a satire, but I was nonetheless a bit disturbed by your anti-Halloween article. It's not, as you say, a holiday that "celebrates horror", though it may have a few "scary" aspects. Halloween originated as a festival to remembering the dead and frightening evil spirits (that's where the costumes come from). It was originally both a Christian and pagan ritual, and has been adopted by many multicultural countries which have some Anglo-Saxon or Celtic origins, such as the United States. While I do agree that the commercialisation of the holiday, I do not see why this is particular to Halloween. Rather, this is a societal trend that envelops many holidays, including Christmas and Diwali.-Alison Wynn
* * *
What you say is true. But it’s better to vent out doing something crazy like this than keeping all that energy bottled up. But I hope they stick to zombies and Twilight rather than any Indian themes. It’s being celebrated by the newer generations that are people who are mostly liberal. We have just got to accept that our people are changing but for good. We did this from the ‘70s in Goa.-Jordan Almeida
* * *
This is truly brilliantly written, and very sartorial. And that too in perfect English. That’s a boon these days. Love you for daring to bare the facts as they are.-Pari Berry
* * *
I did read the open letter. While I didn't go to a Halloween party myself, I was still compelled to write to you. I am wondering what happened to the age-old concept of 'to each his own'. What is the harm in a bunch of people wanting to dress up and celebrate?
People all across the world have commenced celebrating our Indian festivals like Navratri, Diwali etc. In today's world where we say the world is a global village, import and export of cultures and traditions is inevitable.
Most of us go clubbing or to dance parties any which ways. What's the harm in dressing up in fancy dresses?-Ishani Verdia
* * *
Superb article guys!! We have lived in the US for the last six years and every year have wondered how scary Halloween is particularly on the tiny little minds. We try to imbibe Indian culture in our kids hoping that in a couple of years when we get back, they do not feel like they don't know where they belong. I am surprised to see so many of my friends in India celebrating Halloween. When I left for US few years back, I didn't even know what it was and now it's a craze to celebrate the western festivals in India. I just hope that we start recognising the beauty of our very own culture and the meaning of our festivities before we try to adopt something totally alien to us. It was refreshing to read your letter. Thanks a lot! -Sahana
* * *
Kindly seek medical or psychological assistance you attention seeking idiots! -Mansi Bhalla
Why Elwin matters
This is in reference to the book excerpt of Ramachandra Guha. Firstly I must admit I have not laid my hands on the book yet. However, having said that I do have little knowledge about Verrier Elwin and as a result I am writing to you these lines.
Firstly, I think the information is misconstrued here in the article as tribal people are not Hindus (at least in an organic way). Thinking about them as Hindus (not to mention in the mainstream Hindu manner) has serious flaws in it. Through your article, the readers who do not have any knowledge about tribal people, let alone Elwin would misjudge as tribal people being Hindus. I feel this must be avoided.
Secondly, as far as I see it, Elwin was a person with shifting interests. His academic pursuits had led to him marrying girls (quite younger to him) and then disowning them when the work was done. He never stayed put in one place or had any abiding interest in one issue (he had given up clergy and later also his nationalist Congress links). He certainly was an intriguing personality with his own sense of disenchanting interests.-Johnson Minz
* * *
Is the Gujarat model playing out again in East Delhi's Trilokpuri?
Communal riots have been there even in colonial days when political mobilisation was minimal. -Jyoti Swaroop
* * *
Shame on those people who r making vote bank by dividing people.-Arshad Nadeem
We are not Madrasis
I am writing to you, not because the video was so great that I just had to reply. It was a good attempt, for sure, though felt a tad stretched and low on content. There are far more stereotypes South Indians are associated with in North India, trust me!-Mokshi Kalsotra
We welcome your comments at
letters@scroll.in.
I feel it is highly irresponsible and stupid of Scroll.in to give such coverage to this bunch of idiots who call themselves “Freakers”. When progressive people of Kerala, if not the country, are trying their hardest to raise awareness against moral policing, it is downright senseless to give coverage to these publicity hounds.
Basheer Bashi and others of their ilk are infamous for their publicity-hungry acts. They consider articles such as these as a compliment.
I request the editorial team of Scroll.in to be more sensible in publishing future articles. For certain, try not to give such a platform for regressive elements of the society.-Gokul Varma
* * *
To me this attempt of “freaks” is just nothing but a publicity stunt. Nobody knows them outside of their native state, so this is a good opportunity for them to be known, in a similar way as the politicians flock to the disaster struck areas just to get publicity.
Is only “not kissing” part of Indian culture and nothing else? Why don’t they go and protest so many other things and trends which are in no way Indian, like western fast foods, western-style shopping malls, western cars/bikes, mobiles, fashion, live-in-relationships, etc. They themselves sport funky bright coloured clothes and glasses, ride hippie bikes and grows grass like hairs and goatees. And who says that kissing is not Indian? Have we forgotten that it were us who invented and written the Kamasutra?
For the information of readers, the western cultures themselves were not like this always, not even in last century. They have adopted these and other changed only after the industrialisation. There is only one constant in this world: “change”. Let’s not give the freakers any more attention than what they deserve because of their funkiness.-Subhash Kamboj
Suśruta lived 1,000 years before Scroll says he did
Mridula Chari's photo feature on Indian medicine and veterinary science is nice. She uses the resources of the Welcome Library extensively and effectively. I worked as curator of Asian materials at the Wellcome Library for 20 years, and several of the items that Chari displays were first catalogued by me.
Chari says that Suśruta lived in 600 BC. This date is wrong by about 1,000 years. The earliest historical evidence we have for Suśruta and his surgery is about 500 CE. I explained this in my book The Roots of Ayurveda (Penguin).
It's a great shame that an otherwise excellent feature is spoiled by promoting yet more inaccuracy about the history of science in India.-Dominik Wujastyk
Baffling that court distinguishes between forceful penetration and forced penetration
What is baffling is the distinction being made by the Delhi High Court between forceful penetration and forcible penetration?
What is baffling is that the presence of injuries on the vagina of the dead woman does not lead the court to infer absence of consent in the part of the woman.
What is baffling is that the Court is looking for evidence of injuries on other parts of the body to infer lack of consent.
What is baffling is that four decades after Mathura case, the Court is still looking for bodily injuries to establish that the penetration was without the woman's consent.
What is baffling is that the High Court does not pay heed to the Proviso to Explanation 2 of Section 375, which categorically states that absence of physical resistance does not imply consent for sexual activity.
What is baffling is that the penetration in this case was so severe that it led to the woman's death.
What is baffling is that there reference to the woman being menopausal at all???
What is baffling is that why can a woman who has consumed alcohol not be raped?-Vrinda Grover
* * *
Every force immediately removes the tag of consensual. This demonstrates the outdated attitudes of themale criminals calling themselves custodians of law.-Soumitra Bose
Rajiv Gandhi should be Narendra Modi's foremost political hero
The piece by Shivam Vij on “Rajiv Gandhi should be Narendra Modi's foremost hero ", sounded like a well-fabricated defense of what Congress leaders had done in 1984.
The fact of matter is that the author has not done his research on this subject. The initiating event in 1984 and 2002 were quite different. While 2002 was true communal violence, the anti-sikh riots were based on hatred. The trigger factor in the 1984 riots were a sequel to an assassination, those in 2002 were a community-based slaughter. The results were different too.
I condemn violence of any nature. The involvement of the authorities in the two situations has to be understood in the right perspective. The former was an open free for all onslaught in every state of the nation. The later was limited to a much smaller scale. The one-sided attack on Sikhs cannot be compared to 2002.-Jatinder Singh
* * *
I cannot put into words how relieved and energised I am after reading this piece.
I'd like to add that being a headstrong Indian, Muslim woman, I feel so unsafe in India. I wish to leave as soon as I complete my bachelor degree. -Scarlet Smith
Attack on Dalits in Maharashtra
I am both chilled and frightened to note this demonic, planned attack you have reported. I think one of the major problems is lack of awareness amounting to ignorance amongst non-Dalits about the true state of affairs. Dalits should organise themselves and run their own newspapers and TV channels to swiftly cover this gap.-Mini Krishnan
* * *
It is a shameful act, but these kinds of incidents are happening in all the parts of the country, Let us be united and come closure and work together for justice,Dalits' political power and Dalits' economic welfare.-Sanjanna Vidyapogu
Pakistani illustrator writes to Ben Affleck
Don't agree that Ben shut down a dialogue. He shut down a fear monger. You need a different platform to have a meaningful dialogue. -Bonange
* * *
Ben Affleck was intolerant and judgemental. He would not listen and refused to entertain any ideas screaming "racism" to the others. She is completely right is saying he did moderate Muslims a disservice and fed into the extremists by stopping the conversation.
This is happening every day in all levels of government as well. Meanwhile, extremists continue their work undeterred and are grateful for the likes of Ben affect who shut all others up by labelling them intolerant and racist when actually he was the only intolerant one there. -Cecile
* * *
Thank you, Eiynah, for your letter to Ben Affleck and for sharing it openly with the world. Because of it, I have gained a greater appreciation for those who would wish the conversation would get started but need someone else to start if for them. I hope more Muslims can be as courageous to speak out on these issues and enlighten the rest of us so that we can begin to understand and have a meaningful conversation. -Michelle Harnett
Four facts about Sardar Patel that Modi would find disappointing
I was so enthusiastic when Scroll.in had just started and I was very excited with the graphic style and free speech idea and everything. But I am sorry to say that with every passing day it’s becoming more evident that it is a mouthpiece of the Congress party. Your recent Sardar Patel article just nails the coffin finally when I am going to turn you off from my Facebook wall. Sorry but your articles are very misleading, pathetically referenced and researched. I don't say this because I am sympathetic towards right-wing parties, please make no mistake. I say this only because your narratives and facts are wrong at so many different levels that it almost can be passed on as lef-wing propaganda.
Please close give up your domain name and start afresh with a clear preamble and a new domain name.-Nitin Bathla
* * *
I have read through the article, and I have a few points to make:
1. Ramchandra Guha, for example, thinks it is ironic that Patel is being claimed by the BJP when he “was himself a lifelong Congressman”. It is assumed here that the present Congress is the same that existed since Independence, or even before that. However, the present Congress party is “Indira” Congress – Congress (I). So, it is wrong to say that Patel was a Congressman, which gives the impression that his ideology and thinking is akin to the present-day Congress party.
2. Modi himself flirted with this thought (Patel was India’s rightful first Prime Minister but was somehow cheated out of the position by Nehru) when, in October last year he attacked Nehru bemoaning the fact that Patel would have made a better prime minister. Have you considered that Modi may have said it because Patel was a lot more authoritative and patriotic person than Nehru, and his becoming the Prime Minister would have benefitted the country vastly especially at a time when India had just gained independence?
3. With regards to Babri Masjid, nowhere do you mention that he was against the Babri Masjid demolition. All he writes is that “we need to come to an amicable solution” to the issue.-Shashidhar V
* * *
This is the only truth. Read more history then you will get to know the full dal itself was kali. Do not try to present the half-truth and facts of Congress, Congressmen and Gandhi and Affiliated Gandhi Family. Please learn the true history, then comment. -Ujwal Kumar
* * *
The article about Sardar Patel and the present government's approach to him is highly prejudiced. It is a fact that Sardar Patel has been side-lined by Nehru. The present government is right in celebrating the Iron Man's achievements in unifying India. Some disjointed remarks are made much of to paint that Sardar Patel was against RSS. On the other hand there are unimpeachable records to prove that Patel stood strongly for nationalism and wanted to put to an end to divisive forces which ended in partitioning this country on religious lines.-JR Krishnan
* * *
Open letter to people in India celebrating Halloween
A bit lost. What's the point of this article? Sarcasm a la the west? Then the article didn't succeed. Sarcasm not good enough and poignant enough. Dissuasion? What's the point? Things are personal and people do what they want. Try harder.-Anoop Anantharaman
* * *
I understand your article was a satire, but I was nonetheless a bit disturbed by your anti-Halloween article. It's not, as you say, a holiday that "celebrates horror", though it may have a few "scary" aspects. Halloween originated as a festival to remembering the dead and frightening evil spirits (that's where the costumes come from). It was originally both a Christian and pagan ritual, and has been adopted by many multicultural countries which have some Anglo-Saxon or Celtic origins, such as the United States. While I do agree that the commercialisation of the holiday, I do not see why this is particular to Halloween. Rather, this is a societal trend that envelops many holidays, including Christmas and Diwali.-Alison Wynn
* * *
What you say is true. But it’s better to vent out doing something crazy like this than keeping all that energy bottled up. But I hope they stick to zombies and Twilight rather than any Indian themes. It’s being celebrated by the newer generations that are people who are mostly liberal. We have just got to accept that our people are changing but for good. We did this from the ‘70s in Goa.-Jordan Almeida
* * *
This is truly brilliantly written, and very sartorial. And that too in perfect English. That’s a boon these days. Love you for daring to bare the facts as they are.-Pari Berry
* * *
I did read the open letter. While I didn't go to a Halloween party myself, I was still compelled to write to you. I am wondering what happened to the age-old concept of 'to each his own'. What is the harm in a bunch of people wanting to dress up and celebrate?
People all across the world have commenced celebrating our Indian festivals like Navratri, Diwali etc. In today's world where we say the world is a global village, import and export of cultures and traditions is inevitable.
Most of us go clubbing or to dance parties any which ways. What's the harm in dressing up in fancy dresses?-Ishani Verdia
* * *
Superb article guys!! We have lived in the US for the last six years and every year have wondered how scary Halloween is particularly on the tiny little minds. We try to imbibe Indian culture in our kids hoping that in a couple of years when we get back, they do not feel like they don't know where they belong. I am surprised to see so many of my friends in India celebrating Halloween. When I left for US few years back, I didn't even know what it was and now it's a craze to celebrate the western festivals in India. I just hope that we start recognising the beauty of our very own culture and the meaning of our festivities before we try to adopt something totally alien to us. It was refreshing to read your letter. Thanks a lot! -Sahana
* * *
Kindly seek medical or psychological assistance you attention seeking idiots! -Mansi Bhalla
Why Elwin matters
This is in reference to the book excerpt of Ramachandra Guha. Firstly I must admit I have not laid my hands on the book yet. However, having said that I do have little knowledge about Verrier Elwin and as a result I am writing to you these lines.
Firstly, I think the information is misconstrued here in the article as tribal people are not Hindus (at least in an organic way). Thinking about them as Hindus (not to mention in the mainstream Hindu manner) has serious flaws in it. Through your article, the readers who do not have any knowledge about tribal people, let alone Elwin would misjudge as tribal people being Hindus. I feel this must be avoided.
Secondly, as far as I see it, Elwin was a person with shifting interests. His academic pursuits had led to him marrying girls (quite younger to him) and then disowning them when the work was done. He never stayed put in one place or had any abiding interest in one issue (he had given up clergy and later also his nationalist Congress links). He certainly was an intriguing personality with his own sense of disenchanting interests.-Johnson Minz
* * *
Is the Gujarat model playing out again in East Delhi's Trilokpuri?
Communal riots have been there even in colonial days when political mobilisation was minimal. -Jyoti Swaroop
* * *
Shame on those people who r making vote bank by dividing people.-Arshad Nadeem
We are not Madrasis
I am writing to you, not because the video was so great that I just had to reply. It was a good attempt, for sure, though felt a tad stretched and low on content. There are far more stereotypes South Indians are associated with in North India, trust me!-Mokshi Kalsotra
