M for Modi and Murder

I came across a Times of India article on the internet a couple of days back. The only thing that caught my attention was the name. It mentioned MODI. Now, Narendra Modi has long been a favourite and on my scope and if I had means I would definitely “do” something instead of just writing and grumbling and abusing. But at this instance my ire and apprehension was directed towards the author of the said article. I quote:

Rajdharma prescribes that the leader has to be righteous in the dispensation of justice when a storm brews in the state, threatening the very existence of the entity he is duty-bound to protect. Making no distinction between friends and foes, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi did precisely what ‘rajdharma’ or righteousness calls for. 

Mistaken by ‘hath-dharmi’ (the notional obstinacy), many a people accuse him of  engineering the 2002 riots in the state in the wake of the post-Godhra carnage. Some even let their imagination run riot, insinuating that he manipulated the Godhra episode to teach ‘Muslims a lesson’. Nothing could be further from the truth, for he, and he alone, saved Muslims of the state from the fury of the mob, post-Godhra.

Mr. Khazanchi, the writer in question, is the immovable kinds probably. Or, maybe one of those who shuts his ears and shouts “la la la” to drown out another opinion. Freedom of Speech notwithstanding this is the kind of garbage that I call insinuating and having zero value when one measures it on the scales of morality and righteousness. Righteous, Is the name of the article. Modi is righteous, rest is hi(story), which, for the mildly intelligent is an enigma no more. We get such trash everyday but when it is from a so called “senior journalist” it is like a stamp of approval on the already bulging envelope of “Build bridges and good roads and get away with murder”. The media in question tags the usual disclaimer along with the article itself which is the general CYA (Cover your Ass) tactic. One can say that Mr. Khazanchi must be a wildly accurate and, not to forget, honourable fellow who deals with the truth no matter how ugly it might be; the calling spade, a spade kind of a guy. His introduction says that very same thing. But, the more you read and digest, you realise that by that parallel, even Raj Thakarey and Pramod Muthalik and likes can be bracketed as such. Of course, to be politically accurate I shouldn’t leave out Akbaruddin Owaisi who overloaded steam a month ago. If I do I will be branded a “fanatic” before one can say Jehad!

As if that wasn’t enough the comments section had more gems. I was flabbergasted when I read them.

Dear Kafir Hindus, your children will meet the same fate like in afghanistan, pakistan, kashmir, bangladesh and north east. In these regions Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and parsis are almost extinct. These regions were part of Hindustan before invasion by turks, mughals and other islamic warriors. In rest of the parts of Hindustan our population is increasing exponentially. Due to our high breeding capability, conversions and multi millions of non-stop immigration from the neighbour countries. You Hindus are still being ruled by the descendents / progeny of Mughals. Grandfather of Nehru was a Muslim Mughal man and his name was Ghiyasuddin Ghazi. Even Mahatma Gandhi was a great fan of Muslims and Islam. He fell on our feet and begged us not to leave India during partition. He even started fast upto death for our sake. Thats why the poor guy was killed by a RSS terrorist Nathuram Godse. We all INDIAN muslims are totally united in our efforts and mission. While Hindus can keep on fighting on region, language, caste and colour…hehehehe…lol…

This is what a dumbf*** had to say. Obviously the prick is someone masquerading as a Muslim. For all it matters let me say this, We. Muslims, are not as we are being made  out by the shit newspapers seem like. I know this might sound like an apology but, mind you, it is NOT. I’m not apologising for the crass portrayal of the media. I’m not there to apologise for the way non-muslims are forced to think that muslims are scum. I’m just here to pick out a needle from a hay stack. You might be aware just how difficult that is! There are those who expect muslims to wear their patriotism on their sleeves all the time. It’s like every action is adjudged by a fine toothed comb. Some times there are reasons to do that, I agree. For example, that scene outside Azad Maidan when they were supposed to be “protesting” and it turned violent and some dumbf*** vandalised public property. Well, yes, that was pathetic. I totally agree. The thing is that these zealots don’t understand this shit. If one is knowing and is aware of the fact that the media is hell bent on TRPs then at least behave in a dignified manner and not be immature! These hoodlums who do these moronic crap are not even the kind of muslims that would sway a general opinion. They’re not educated, they don’t pray, they are the ones who would sway to the beats of ‘qawwalis’ on a truck while the poor muessin is trying to call for namaaz, which they will conveniently ignore.

Back to the context, no mentally balanced Muslim would make a comment like that. That’s not the way we think. There are other comments which make a more plausible ground for a discussion. But mostly are rants.

About Modi. What do I say that hasn’t already been said in dailies and weekly magazines? Unsubstantiated bullcrap is still the norm of the day. Even after Officers come clean and speak out; after Tehelka’s sting operation and what not there are still people who believe that this man is the future upon which India will rise.

My ass.

I don’t like Modi. I don’t have to. Even if you, for a minute, ignore the Godhra carnage there is still some real good evidence that Modi is a moron. I use moron in a very charitable way with a wide circumference ranging from a loony to a mass-murderer.

You can read the article by Mr. Khazanchi here:

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hard-copy/entry/modi-is-righteous-rest-is-hi-story#comments

You can read about this kick ass guy here:

http://www.ummid.com/news/2011/April/26.04.2011/activists_on_vibrant_gujarat.htm

Siddiqui F.
(23.03.2013)

Addicted…

They say addiction is bad. It makes one lose control over ones psyche; that it makes people impulsive and uncontrollable when the thrill of “doing” it isn’t fulfilled. It is like a bad dream which runs in a loop but never reaches the climax making the person wanting to go through it over and over again!

I’m addicted too.

No. It’s not smoking or drinking or any other regular stuff. To be honest, until this afternoon I never took offense when my addiction was pointed out. Today afternoon was the lightening striking on me but the first indication I was given (by the high and mighty Lord) was 2 days back. I went to my regular library and issued Cross. It’s book 12 in the Alex Cross series written by James Patterson. I love the author. He’s quick and has a strong emotional impact. Out of the 12 I can definitely say without fear of contradiction that at least 8 of them were simply brilliant and lightening quick. Anyway, I started around noon. It was a healthy 280+ pages. I never intended to do what I did. Apparently, I tried hard. Real hard.

I finished it before the 8th hour dissolved into the 9th.

My eyes were red. The central fixation of my pupil was disoriented. There was a distinct pain in my right temple. I could feel my retina cry out.

I could’ve accepted  these physical yearning of rest if I was reading a  Dostoyevsky. But I was reading a Patterson for god’s sake! Patterson is fast, quick and thrilling. They weren’t heavy on the head. They didn’t require analytic reasoning and analysis after they’re read. But for some unknown reason I just couldn’t stop. I kept it aside 5 times. I went to wash my face and freshen up. I took around 4 chai breaks. But I just couldn’t let it be. Is this good, I ask? An addiction of any substance whatsoever is nothing but that, an addiction!

Well, this was then. Now, for the second home coming. I was working and surfing gocomics to alleviate the boredom that my job brings along with it. Mind you, I was busy. But I still read at least 3 months worth of Luann. Somewhere around January or February 1991 there was this innocent little strip of Luann asking her mother what she did on weekends.

Mum says she read.

What??? Reading only on weekends? Are you kidding me? Really?

And that was it. I’m addicted to my reading and until now I was proud of it. Addiction is bad. Being a voracious reader means that I want to read. Not that I cannot help but read. Well, I’m going to change that. I don’t want to be like those who read a 100 books a year. I’m very happy reading just 2, or maybe 3, books every month depending on the thickness and genre and the educational value it has. I’m going to outline a proper schedule, filter in genre wise and then read. I’ll enjoy every written word. I’ll let every chapter wash through me and pervade every pore of my body. I won’t confuse myself. I won’t push myself. I won’t force myself.

I will do this and enjoy my books a lot more than I did.

Now, don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I just read a book by scanning my eyes over the dialogues and skimming through the descriptive part. I can say it with pride that I read everything carefully. I get my quotes right if I have to. I write reviews for our book reading group here and enjoy it. But this wanton wildness has to stop.

And it will.

Siddiqui F.
(18.02.2013)

Paranoia…

All I could see were monsters shrouded underneath normalcy. I think you’d call it paranoia, my friend. There is nothing else that I myself can aptly call it. But I’m not “qualified” to diagnose, you know! It’s such a high handed game you psychologists and psychiatrists play, it some times drives me crazy!

I read it in Segal’s Doctors about the so called logic of Doctors having a bad handwriting. I’m the last for doubting analytic reasoning or pyramid theories but don’t you think such generalisations go a long way in making every young intern purposely, you might call it the unconscious or subconscious, veer towards having an illegible hand? Making them believe that there’s something not quite right if every literate human could read what they’re writing is no doubt the most obvious control that you have over them. Obvious, I say. But I don’t mean that. You should know. For who would have the time to unravel the mystery involved in such insipid theories. Wouldn’t it make more sense to utilise the time for some potential path breaking discovery. Wanton paroxysms upholding the cause-effect relationship of the science circles are well known. But equally well known are what you learned folks call “conspiracy theories”. You try so hard to just dust us off your Holy Uniforms by cat calling us and giving us such an unhonourable name. God sure doth laugh on y’all along with us, I swear!

Conspiracy: An evil, unlawful, treacherous, or surreptitious plan formulated in secret by two or more persons. (Source: http://www.dictionary.com)

So is it a conspiracy on my part or yours when Akbaruddin Owaisi is put behind bars and Togadia is, in secret mind you, praised as a saviour? Oh please don’t wet your pants out of the potential orgasmic pleasure based upon the next insinuation that you’re going to point towards me. I know what your learn-by-rote head is gassing up to. I never said anything positive about Owaisi did I?

But let’s get into the Togadia shit. With me, mate? If you check out his history you’ll see that his venom spewing shit is a norm. For Owaisi it was the first time. Then tell me, my lateral thinking pal, why was the government quick to anger when he spoke shit? Why is Togadia not paraded with this kind of “limelight”?

Did you just call me an Islamist Orthodox?

Well, you aren’t the first. But the day someone whose thought process is not industrially manipulated tells me that I’ll sit back and go through each and every word all over again. But since it’s you I’ll just smile and snigger.

After all, I do feel sorry for you.

Siddiqui F.
(10.02.2013)

Book Review : Death by Scrabble

Book: Death by Scrabble
Author: Charlie Fish
Year: 2006

Well, look at the publishing date guys. This one isn’t a relic from the past. It’s as recent as 6 years ago! Like, half a dozen years! That’s it?

Death by Scrabble is a short story which won’t take more than 3 minutes to finish and understand. But I bet that everyone goes back immediately to re-read it and to connect the dots, in a matter of speaking!

Death by Scrabble’s scene: A game of Scrabble, a hot and sweaty day, a wife, a husband, an air conditioner, a fly, cups of tea and… a sudden death in the midst of it all. The story is in the 1st person, the husband, and, this much is obvious from the very first word, he HATES his wife. The reason for his hatred is not clear though. Fish hasn’t bothered to explain the hatred. Maybe it’s just the heat and sweat; maybe it’s just an unhappy marriage or what ever fancies you.

Coming back, the 42 year old man is just not in a mood to play Scrabble. He’s in a mood to do nothing as long as it means he has to do it with his wife. His anger and frustration is apparent with the words he’s forming. He wants MURDER and KILL and SLAY and SLASH but can manage only a ZAP. It is then that he realises what’s happening.

The wife is “zapped” by the air conditioner. The thrilling discovery makes him sweat some more. He’s thrilled with the discovery and the fact that his wife is unaware of his sudden super power. He tests it and finds out to be true. With the power of disbursing Death and doling it out at his preference the husband arms himself with likely tiles (he cheats too) and goes for the kill.

That is not all there is to the story as Fish ends it with a twisted sense of morbid humour. It was my first time that I read a little story which has dealt with death, or murder (?), so nonchalantly, He’s made it funny, unassumingly funny, and makes you smile in spite of seeing a character die.

If there is any more Fish’s coming my way I’m lapping it up!

Bookhad
(09.02.2013)

Life Cycles and Rebirths. Simplified (?)

Life after birth and stuff.

Life after death, actually. Aren’t them the same thing anyway? The entire cosmic phenomenon revolves around the omnipotent question that has never been answered, satisfactorily at least, even after 1000s of years of questioning and cross questioning. Some times it gives me this morbidly funny image that while scientists the world over are looking for answers to these questions the High and Mighty Lord looks at them, peeking over from behind the fluffy nimbus, and sniggers in delight.

How naive one might say.

Or, may be not!

There are scores of religions, beliefs and studies around the world that broach the subject. Some do it up front and blatantly, while some trim the hedges to refine a grainy picture; Some do it with surety, while some simply hazard a guess; Some accept their holy books, while some completely trash it. The question, finally after breaking down arguments one question at a time, remains is this: Is it actually just a personal choice. Is it nothing more, or less as a matter of fact, than accepting what your calculating brain tells you?

If you’re expecting answers then I will be disappointing you big time. This is not an exercise of futility or a contact point for arguments. It’s just ramblings of an idle mind.

Hindus believe  in the theory of Karma, basically translated into “What you sow, so shall you reap”. It sounds right. But then, again, today proofs are wanted. A living and breathing man of 30 is dead as long as he doesn’t possess them “Birth Certificates”. He never was born. In the eye of the law of land you’re just a ghost, an in-between or whatever name you’d like to be called.

Karma, any act that bears fruit is Karma. There is good Karma. There is bad Karma. One good turn deserves another? Some times it’s not so easy to have a direct relationship between causes and effects. Ignorant folks or atheists who will not believe will also ask such questions. It is difficult to explain the “logic” of a belief. It’s like Love. Some people get it. Some people don’t. I’m not going to get into the whole love-hate relationship puhleez.

Coming back to the theories of re-incarnation, it is easier to talk about only the major religions and faiths of the world. For if I get into the intricate detailing i’ll never finish. Under Hinduism comes a large number of faiths. The skeleton and the structure being the same they adhere to a sort of a different ritualistic faith. While they’re normally known as Hindus but integrally they’re better known as Jains or Buddhist or any other religion they come under. Their basic ideas remaining the same they have their own gods and paths and criteria.

The Jains, for instance, say that until you don’t break the cycle of birth and re-birth you will never attain Moksha, the eternal freedom. They say that one has to let go off any kind of Karma. The good or the bad. Only then will they attain Moksha. The freedom from the cycle of Re-birth. They say that no matter how comfortable your life is the fact that you’re living is an ample proof towards the fact that you’re no way close to Moksha. The truly divine are not part of this world. They’re in another world as such. They look upon us. To let go, they mean it in the strictest sense, means to absolutely let go every thing that gives you pleasure. Jain monks and sadhus have been known to live in the nude, to walk barefoot for life, to never eating tubers and roots and to live only and only on bhiksha, That’s the Indian word for “gift” or “charity”. It’s really not charity actually. They say that nothing in this world belongs to us humans. What once is might never be again…

Personally speaking, I find Jainism the most extreme faith. It really is difficult to follow it. It’s perhaps the more austre and more extreme version of Buddhism. Buddhism speaks of the 8 fold path or the middle path to attain salvation. It’s theory are based upon the same facts as Jainism, only easier to follow. Relatively. It’s philosophy regarding Nirvana is the same as Jainism.

The Christians and the Muslims are of a very similar opinion about the concept of after life, of Heaven and Hell, of deeds and mis-deeds, of Life and Death. They believe in the after life which is separate and distinct from the concept of rebirth and life cycles. We muslims believe that Allah sent us down to Earth so that we could spend our time in the righteous things and praise Him for the life he has granted. This was the entire reason why we’re here. We’re not here to live, we’re here to pray and go to Heaven. If we spend our time doing the lesser important things we get Hell instead. But this is where Islam differs from the other religions. Even Christianity. While Jainism and Buddhism and the entire Umbrella of Hinduism claim that life as such is an impediment to attaining Mokhsa, Muslims, on the other hand, know that Life is the means to Heaven and the hereafter.

So by that claim, we live life normally. Mind you, extravagance is not “normal”.  So anything more that you need for basic sustenance and a comfortable life is over the top and not needed…and THAT would be an impediment, no doubt.

Even after such clear cut instructions from the Holy Books of the world there is not one single opinion. We have separate discussions and arguments for every faith and still draw a blank when it comes to answering the questions that still remain unanswered. My personal take is that it does not need answering. I’m not against science! But that doesn’t mean that there is a cause and effect for every relationship, for every equation. The Hand that wrote the world works in mysterious ways.

The Atheists say that Man gave birth to God. To that, I say Allah-hu-Akbar, God is Great. And I leave it at that…

Siddiqui F.
(09.02.2013)