Cookies of love, and milk of affection

This is what is the ultimate weapon against terrorism, according to a certain gentleman, who will not be named or linked, as I have no intention of waging a flame war here (I prefer to do it on other's blog) .

I can imagine the conversation

Jihadi : I will slit your throat , sack your house and burn your family.

Me : Why are you so angry ?

Jihadi (Crying ) : No one loves me, if some one loved me enough I will not be blowing children , instead watching fashion tv.

Me: Aww, you poor boy, let me give you a hug.

Jihadi: You smell good.

Me : I have not taken bath.

Jihadi : Excellent, now let us go and watch Salaam Namaste.

Indian Muslims as Leader of Islam: The Danger

While arguing about how Indian Muslims are different, I had linked to this from secular - right and commented that while I was not comfortable with the post , I did find some merit.

However after going through that post again , this time with comments, I have decided to write the reason why I did not agree with idea.

The reason is Ummah . Islam is some what analogous to universalist idealogies in the sense its appeal and domain transcends national bounderies.
Nation being a recent construct, Ummah, in essence was a demarcation line between believers and non - believers.

Ummah is more than a cultural construct , it means a common society ruled by laws and institutions as mandated in Quran and Shariah. Ummah ruled by common ruler and common system was driving idea behind Islamic civilization and establishment of Caliphate , which explains that how in little more than 100 years Islam had conquered vast stretches of territory and what is more important obilerated important and ancient civilizations (Egyptian and Persian).

Later ofcourse Caliphate lost the potency due to rival ambitions of Turks and Arabs and dynastic quarrels and mongols. But even a weaker Caliphate and fringe Islamic powers dominated territory from Arabia to India. The wahabism recognized that this schism as the cause of decline of Islam and hence it was a movement towards going back to teachings of Quran.

Now here it is important to understand this Ummah is one of the fundamental concept of Quran , not only it unites muslims , it also demarcates between believers and non believers.

Why am I repeating this ?

Because when there is a talk of common Muslim identity and Indian Muslims assuming its leadership, unwittingly it is sanctioning Ummah and contrary to opinion of people fond of re interpretations who may like to recast it as a cultural model, it is a much more comprehensive concept spanning politics, jurisprudence, military and sprituality. This means Ummah goes against the concept of Nation- State.

Where this leads to ? Why, to best intentions gone awry ofcourse !

Consider present menance of terrorism, What explains it, (Ignorance) many of the important figures of this movementare influencial and well educated persons, scientists, doctors , engineers and software professionals . (Poverty) again many of them are from affluent families (Palestine) Doesn't explain Bali, Thailand, Spain. So these causes do not explain the current phenomena.

OK now let's become a little bold , it is the Wahabism those stupid Saudis ! but that is the point, Wahabism is about returning to teachings of Quran, *(ray of hope), may be it is that Wahabism is the incorrect interpretation of Quran , let us reinterpret.

Here is the glitch, the assumption that Wahabists who constitute not only persons with above average IQ and education but also who have spent long time in Islamic seminaries are making the wrong interpretations, but we (well meaning persons with no knowledge of Islam) will be able to provide correct (which means confirming to modern standards) interpretations is fraught with error.

And as I said before this problem is not unique to Islam , this is common to christianity also, both being people of book, but owing to different emphasis and history of development Christianity took a different route, not that it doesn't have similar , problem
So if Islam has to rescued, there are two things to be done

1) Reinterpretations are good as an academic exercise (Jews do it all the time), what Islam needs is redefinition, i.e. shun absolutism and exclusive insistence on book. It is difficult, yes

2) To (Well meaning ) , I do not mind if some one is religious or atheist. I also do not mind much whether some one has really given any consideration to this (although I do). But do not under estimate power of religion, religion represent Idea at highest form, the most abstract expression of reason.

What starts as a Muslim identity can lead towards Ummah as easily. 20th century is a prime example of this . Pan- Arabism (which meant arab christians also), gave rise to current menance of Osama. Closer, Pakistan was created by educated Muslims (some of them vainglorious) seeking a identity or to be more precise an idea. Ummah will challenge the notion of nation - state , but this is the best case scenario, worst case scenario is that it will encourage Wahabism , what is more well meaning persons will have no control, being outsider over this process .

I was also disappointed with the ease , validity of existence of OIC was accepted although not endorsed, almost as axiomatic. Pray, when there is no Organisation of Christians Nations or Buddhist Nations , what is the rationale behind OIC. I also find annoying the idea of making India a member nation of OIC. Coming from a secular site , one which I appreciate despite numerous disagreement, it is all the more disheartening.

Almost all I have written is repackaged from Among the Believers and Clash of civilizations.

Importance of Idea

This post can be considered as prologue to explanation of this post. I am writing this to indicate where I am coming from

Since last few months I am obsessed with Ideas. What is an Idea? How inherent is an Idea in reality? How potent is the idea as a force? How does free will relate to idea and Most important, how can idea be harnessed towards some goal?

This obsession with the concept started after reading "War And Peace".

I have not much to say about the Literary worth of the work, considering that it is one of the most important book to come from Russia and yet I was not overwhelmed by the story or the characters, (I have plebian tastes).

Yet what most intrigued me was Tolstoy's explanation of Napoleonic war. Contrary to popular explanation, he debunked the genius or determination of Napoleon

What is more, he claimed that, what Napoleon did was less owing to his individual will and more due to popular sentiment. This seemed to me an absurd thing. I, like majority have been conditioned to believe in the exaggerated notion of individual will.

However on second thoughts I felt more favourable towards his view, According to Tolstoy, the force behind the Napoleonic war was Idea.

Napoleonic war happened, he said, not because of individual will of Napoleon or even his generals, it was because the prevalent mood in France supported it, and how was mood in France so ? Why, because of French revolution.

French revolution had released all of a sudden the suppressed energy of a nation previously shackled under a feudal system. This energy, this pervading spirit needed expansion and Napoleonic wars provided the way. He argued, correctly in my view, that this energy would have caused the event to happen similarly if someone other than Napoleon , for example Robis Pierre, was there.

It is not realized now but the reason Napoleon got support from many European nations (at least initially, before Europe turned against him) was because of his idea of "continental system and freedom", French revolution was ofcourse result of a culmination of idea, which starts with Aristotle and through renaissance ends with Voltaire.

In the same way when Russia repulsed Napoleon finally and entered Europe,like wise it was not merely tsar but the collective force which was responsible.

After mulling over this, I have come to a conclusion that Tolstoy was right. I have also realized that the present situation India faces is because

1) The importance of idea is not realized.
2) If the importance of idea is realized, secondary ideas (which are effects) are mistaken for the primary ideas (or premises), this may be due to mistake in analysis or bias in assumptions.
3) Secondary ideas are identified correctly, but the primary idea (or premise) is incorrect, this is more due to bias.

Now , if only I could find what is the meaning of idea.


*Warning* Idea, Primary, Or Secondary are my own usage, the reason being that I am not familiar with standard vocabulary of logic.

Franchising NRI, (Dis) Franchising RI

Via Slimes,

Voting rights to NRIs under active consideration: PM

I find this annoying, and no it has almost nothing to do with NRI's, the reason for this is Indian government indifference towards ensuring that residing Indians can exercise the right to elect.

This is not surprising as it may first seem. I am referring to migrant workers (of whom I may be considered a part) . Millions of people (mainly from UP, Bihar and probably Karnataka or Kerala ) work outside their native places as menial labour, skilled worker or professional, the reason for this is ofcourse lack of job opportunity in those states. This migration is not a pleasant to anyone causing lots of distress to both family and worker and this is overwhelming compulsion of livelihood which makes them migrate to other states. The effect is ofcourse that workers are unable to cast vote in any election which means that they have to sacrifice right to elect their representative in order to keep body and soul together

Why Bengal is no Bihar

Via,

Indian Express,

Bengal is no Bihar, so fumes the old warhorse and master of snot Jyotida, this is obvious.

In Bihar politics parties indulge in Booth Capturing and Vote snatching, this is to use computer paradigm a brute force algorithm and inelegant. What is more there is always the danger than opposition can out maneuver with better firepower

In Bengal however, Communists ensure victory through careful Booth management, which is a scientific method , in the same way Communism is a scientific way to Nirvana.

Ganguly vs Dungarpur

Via rediff,

Ganguly is the laziest in team: Dungarpur

I think that BCCI politics is much more entertaining than actual Cricket.

Here is my free advice, find a sponser for this bickering and you have serious money, a reality show can also be launched.

Somewhat related Ekta Kapoor can come with a killer idea, Reality show based on Saas - Baahu, it will simply shock and awe competition. This idea is also free.

Baba Ramdev Controversy

When the recent attacks on Baba Ramdev by Brinda Karat started , I was wary of saying anything, for the reason that contamination of medicines is a serious matter and although I think Brinda Karat is one despicable communist, I was not able to fathom why of all people she chose to attack Baba Ramdev.

I have heard about him before and people have appreciated his lessons, but I had no personal experience, what is more I was disappointed with Baba Ramdev statement that present controversy was conspiracy of MNCs, so I held my peace, however something rankled and while reading one related article I knew the reason.

The origin of present controversy is this,

Via Slimes

The origin is explained

"....Of late, though, Ramdev's famous ashram, Divya Yoga Mandir Trust, has been at the centre of an unsavoury controversy. Over 100 sacked ashram volunteers have alleged that medicines made in the ashram contain human bones, skulls and parts of wild animals. ......."

Later in the article

".....On May 5, some volunteers refused to take the amount. The serene quiet of the ashram and its meditativetranquilityy was shattered by angry slogans. Soon members of local CITU, CPM's trade union wing, joined them in protest. The tussle has continued since....."

Well well it is in short Gurgaon Redux, with following difference.

Here Brinda Karat in addition to getting high from creating labour unrest , gets to defame a Hindu leader, what can be better for her than this.
(I do wonder whether communists have a point system for members based on how much nuisance they can create)

Sandeep had commented on this controversy here and here, Obviously I share his outrage.
(If you read this Sandeep, may be you can update )

What is more the way this government is treating Hindu leaders , I am getting paranoid.

Secular media is behaving as expected . By indulging in what amount to mud slinging it is showing it's all too familiar hatred for Hindu and Hindu leaders.

But by submitting to their propaganda and accepting their lies as truth Hindus are themselves to be blamed.

Politics,
Religion