The Nihilist Creed - I

It is hard not to feel amused when Arundhati Roy claims that India is not a democracy.

No, it isn't because India is perfect rather it is because of her ideological compass.

One admits that even if after five decades of independence Indian society is far from being based on eqaulity and Justice to all.

Discrimination exists today, in far villages and in the the hearts of cities.

Amidst euphoria of booming stock exchanges and glowing prediction, a reality check is needed.

However one questions the intent of the dissentors like Arundhati Roy.

The very world view of her and others of her ilk is not beased on improvment of Indian society, but mindless guilt trips and self loathing.

It is understandable considering that the modern intellectual pretensions are based on mistaken assumptions of altruism.

This flawed view embraces altruism not by transcending narrow concepts of self identity, but renunciation (even denouncement) of group identity . This modern nihilism elevates shallow rhetoric and mindless posturing to pedestal. Any appeal to rationalism and logic is great treason.Emotions suffice, in fact chest beating is the most sanctified ritual of bleeding heart liberalism and attempt to informed debate is frowned upon.

Ironically this secular creed has parallel in history, it is almost a replay of the past nihilistic sects and cults which embraced self flagellation and abnegation as a path to emancipation.

The goal then became not enlightenment but mind numbing obfuscation. The paradise was sought in ignorance and seeking was shunned.

Arundhati Roy and her band of comrades are inheritors of such traditions. The pantheon and dogma has changed. Earlier it was God and salvation. Now it is poor and egalitarianism. Now the prophet of post -enlightenment discourse is Marx or Angels, but the aim and assumption remain same.

Life is not something to be cherished, suffering is a moral virtue and comfort is a mortal sin.

It is from this morbid creed that our bunch of do gooders emerge.

I think, it is only appropriate that with such diseased mentality at helm, we find ourselves in the pit.