Ganjan and Malala

This is the headline of a letter in the Statesman (17 December 2013). Therein lies the mention of the courage and bravery a 12-year-old student, Ganjan Sharma of Assam, displayed while redeeming eight children from the traps of terrorists. Children were saved but Ganjan was kidnapped by the terrorists. Later, she too was rescued by the police. The media covered this incident but in brief and the government of Assam also announced a Bravery award for Ganjan. But the central government still has not given any attention to this young brave girl. Then, the correspondent compared the Ganjan episode with the incident of Pakistani girl Malala Yusuf Zai, who was “shot at by the Taliban for supporting the education of girls”. He has written that today Malala has emerged as an international figure on the basis of her courage whereas no one outside Assam knows Ganjan although she deserves encouragement and the National Award by the Government of India. This Class VIII student has demonstrated very high morale and extraordinary courage at a difficult time. Correspondent, Ashim Kumar Chakravarty has sent this post to the newspaper from Guwahati. This incident was not seen anywhere in the national media.

This is fair enough, but....

The point of Guwahati’s correspondent is absolutely correct. The brave girl of Assam must be encouraged at the national level. However, by giving reference to Malala in the incident of Ganjan, the correspondent did not provide the proof of his total awareness. The case of Malala is diametrically opposed: she was not attacked; no one shot at her. It was a drama being played by the western powers under a wider conspiracy intended to defame Islam and Islamic groups. Those who are aware of the reality behind the campaign which is going on in the name of ‘War in Terrorism’ and the American conspiracies in this regard are well aware of the reality of the incident of Malala too. But simplistic people too should know that Islam is not against the education of girls, but more than any other religion or ideology, Islam is more supportive. The real Taliban, whether they are from Pakistan or Afghanistan, are also not against girls education. These Islamic groups are against only co-education and the teaching which makes them rebellious against their parents and traditional families by creating moral evils among the new generation.

Awards are political

As far as the question of not giving any big award to Ganjan is concerned, the compliant of the correspondent is fifty per cent right and fifty per cent wrong. It is right because children are given bravery awards each year at the central level; it is wrong because everyone is not given. For this too, they have to do lobbying. Sometimes it could be a matter of political influence and political necessity also. Now the honour like the Bharat Ratna Award has also become a subject of political necessity. This honour has been given to the actor-politician MG Ramachandran of Tamil Nadu, not known in recognition of which national service. The truth is that, Bharat Ratna award became political after only a few years of its launch when it started being given posthumously. Now it is not known to what extent this process will be extended to real or imaginary personalities in distant past. It would be better that the correspondent of Guwahati does not get involved into the matter of any governmental honour for Ganjan. Encourage the girl at the local level and ensure her future education. Along this, high moral education of girls is also important.

22/12/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

The Proposal of Former Chief Justice

KG Balakrishnan wants a separate police cadre to be created in every state to deal with terror attacks. According to him, terrorism and extremism “have been the newer forms of disruptive forces which have to be handled by the police. These terrorist forces worked across many States, with links outside India. They also effectively used the latest technologies. To curb terrorism, the police forces would have to create a new cadre trained in low-intensity warfare.” (The Hindu). K.G Balakrishnan had been the Chief Justice of Supreme Court and now he is the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission. He advanced the proposal for formation of a separate police cadre for terrorists, during the distribution ceremony of International Jurists Award 2013 and the National Law Day Award in New Delhi on November 30. On this occasion he also shared his ideas on ‘International Terrorism'. He made the statement on ‘separate police cadre’, in the same speech. Obviously, judges, lawyers, police officers and functionaries of law and order machinery must have attended the event in large numbers.

The process has been on for many years

The discussion on the subject of ‘International terrorism’ by a top jurist was not the first of its kind. Meetings of jurists, legal luminaries and heads of security agencies have been held earlier as well to discuss the subject. International conferences are also held. This process has been going on for several years. The most important thing is that, in these meetings, the definition of terrorism, its meaning and concept, its forms and varieties, are not usually discussed because the meaning of terrorism is already understood in the minds of convenors and participants of these conferences. And this meaning is the same which America has made the world understand after the so-called '9/11’ and the first and most vigilant among those who have understood this meaning according to the American Dictionary is the ruling class of this country. Extremism or religious extremism is the extremism of the adherents of a particular religion. To them, demolition of places of worship in the broad daylight with the whole world as witness, to terrorize a community by making (provocative) statements and issuing open threats in meetings and rallies, and genocide of a community by (engineering) riots, is not terrorism.

Had the leadership been awakened

Terrorism is indeed a major problem in this country. However, it must be seen how much it is real and how much fake. But even the need for discussion on this aspect is not felt in these conferences. This is the need in fact of the community which is the target of the entire exercise. But unfortunately, the leadership of this community does not realize it; rather it would not have any knowledge of what is being said on the subject of terrorism and international terrorism. Had there been any realisation and knowledge thereof, it would have (1) constituted a specialized group of scholars for further understanding of its goals; (2) prepared individuals to participate in talks and  discussions; (3) declared that the Muslim community is completely with the government and its security agencies’ efforts to counter terrorist threats, because this community is most affected by it; (4) demanded that the meaning of terrorism and its forms should also be discussed; (5) demanded that all incidents of terrorism in recent years must be re-investigated; and every upcoming incident should be inquired honestly and Muslim representatives be engaged in the process of inquiry, in some form or the other, and (6) the media should not be allowed to go out of control in this regard.

13/12/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

Superstition in Malaysia?

An Asian newspaper has reported that in Malaysia the people are extremely superstitious, conservative and orthodox. To avoid any kind of suffering, trouble or evil effect, they take help of sorcery. If some strange events take place at a certain place, building or hospital, it is assumed to have happed due to evil spirits and the services of healers are sought to get rid of them. Formal events are held in this regard. This work is done on both public and government levels. These rituals are performed at the time of laying the foundation or inauguration of government projects. In this report, there are some references of the provinces which indicate that this kind of activities takes place under the very nose of provincial governments. The Statesman has published this report on 24 October with courtesy of an Asian newspaper, The Star. The newspaper says that though Malaysia is divided with to regard to religion, yet all are united in superstition. To avoid natural disasters, it is common in Malaysia to take help of sorcerers. According to the report, some people are tangled with debate on the name of ‘Allah’ and ‘God’.

Who might be these people?

On the accuracy of this report, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Malaysian Embassy in New Delhi should illuminate, as the issue is associated with them. Malaysia is a Muslim-majority county, the Muslims over there as a whole, are enlightened and practising; their faith is sound. So it is hard to understand how they would have become this much superstitious and orthodox. The part of the report published with reference to government sources should be clarified at the government level itself. However, peoples belonging to the Mangolian race and Southeast Asia and other nationalities are populated there in sizable numbers. This report might be correct in relation to these peoples. If the Star reporter had witnessed the rituals performed here in our country to ward off natural disasters, diseases, evil spirits and effects, and to find treasures, for success in elections and cricket matches, he would have observed Malaysian scenes as something quite dull. Here even innocent children are sacrificed for protection against evil spirits, fulfilment of sexual desire and success in projects.

Injustice of rationalists

But one more aspect needs to be discussed here. In this Statesman report with reference to the Star, it is said that, those who believe in supernatural powers and evil spirits are not only the residents of Malaysia, the residents of America, Canada and even Britain are not lagging behind. The Huffington Post unveiled a survey that 45% of Americans believe in ghosts and life after death. And it is this mental imbalance of the so-called enlightened and rationalists, which stops a class of humans from reaching to the truth of religion. To them, even believing in death after life is an orthodox belief and superstition. This discussion raises its head, from time to time, in our country also. Recently, a man, who was actively working against the people believing in superstition and sorcery, was killed in Mumbai. Even at that time English commentators had placed the perception of death after life in conservatism. The scholars and philosophers of other philosophies and religions know what they think about them, but Muslim scholars must try to differentiate between the two before the countrymen.

27/11/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

A Sigh of Relief in Muzaffar Nagar

November 18 was very important for some victims of violence in Muzaffarnagar, when more than eight hundred fifty people belonging to 72 families were given permanent shelter. This work of giving consolation and solace to these families was carried out by the Jamiat Ulema of Maulana Syed Arshad Madani. Hindi and English newspapers gave no special importance to such a big event; however Urdu dailies published this news with the photographs and much fanfare, under bold headlines.  This Jamiat is working very well in this field. Apart from helping the families implicated in false cases of terrorism, it has been fighting cases for them, for which it deserves praise of the community. In the prevailing situation it is not usual to provide permanent housing for at least eight to nine hundred people out of 25 thousand victims of Muzaffarnagar. Maulana Arshad Madani and his colleagues definitely deserve appreciation for the work - but before congratulating the Maulana, we need to ask a question on one more aspect of this situation. Can this kind of effort help even a bit in solving the basic problem? And after all what kind of massage is it conveying?

One objective of riots

Yes, this is the main issue, which must be considered with farsightedness, not only by Jamiat Ulama but by the whole community leadership also. The first question in this context is why these systematic and planned anti-Muslim riots are being enacted? The answer is that, apart from other objectives, the aim of the rioters is to evict the rural Muslim populations from their aboriginal lands and to capture them. This fact was pinpointed at the time when the same Jamiat had devised the same solution to the problem of Bodoland Muslim riot victims in Assam. Bodoland rioters also want the Muslims to leave the land and go somewhere else, and the work of building separate shelters for Muslims was surely helpful in achieving the objectives of the wrongdoers. Now with this move at Muzaffarnagar, the massage is being conveyed that the rioters will thus keep killing and destroying properties, and Muslim organisations will thus keep rehabilitating the victims, and in this way the country's rural Muslim populations will be rendered to refugees in their own country. That is, planners of the riots are happy that their arrows are targeting in the right direction. Muslim leadership itself is proving helpful to them. What a nicer and easier thing would be for them.

Critical aspect of the situation

The most serious aspect of the situation is that our own government administration is at work in this criminal conspiracy. In Muzaffarnagar, the rioters have done their part of work, now the bureaucrats are doing the remaining work. They want that the people who have went out of riot-affected areas do not go back there in any case, voluntarily surrender their properties, evacuate the refugee camps also and get settled elsewhere after accepting the amount of five lakh. These government officials have prepared a document for affidavit and are getting it signed by the victims, forcefully. This affidavit is the masterpiece of government’s oppression and excesses, and of the murder of law and justice. (See The Indian Express, 19 November). That is, the case of Muzaffarnagar is not as easy and simple as is being understood. For this Muslim leadership will have to work by sacrificing their personal desires and sectorial ambitions, keeping faith only in God and the Day of Judgment as there is no other choice . This work needs unity and concord. Do help the victims, build housings for them, but only as temporary relief; the real problem is their rehabilitation to their ancestral and original lands.

25/11/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

Two Reports on Patna Blasts

Two fresh reports have come in the context of bomb blasts at B.J.P rally in the capital of Bihar, Patna, on 27 October. First report is that on 17 November the Central Investigation Agency (NIA) has released the photographs and other details of the accused of Bodh Gaya and Patna blasts and announced a prize of 5-10 lakhs for those who will give any clue about the accused. The other report is from Bhagalpur. On 17 November itself, while addressing the media reporters at Circuit House there, the Agricultural Minister of Bihar, Narendra Singh, said in very explicit words that it was the BJP that stage-managed the blasts at Patna rally just to make the rally successful and to popularise Modi. The State Minister used harsh language against the BJP and its leaders and said that they are the descendants of Ghandhiji’s killers, RSS. (Inquilab Urdu daily, 18 Nov) The first report is not unexpected, because investigating agencies of both Gaya and Patna blasts had already decided their direction of investigation at the first sound of the explosion (rather it can be said with firm belief that even before the sound was heard); characters of the blasts were already developed; there was no question of investigation on any other line.

Statement not surprising

Yes, Bihar Minister's statement is certainly unexpected, but not at all surprising; it would be called a bold statement. Although this statement, like Patna blast, is also political yet sometimes the fact gets revealed in political rhetoric. It could also be possible that by doing political calculation, the State Minister Narendra Singh withdraws his statement or subjects it to window-dressing, but it will not change the reality. Though in the political mental wave, he did express the voice of his conscience. And this is the fact, to which every normal-diet-taking person is aware of. Although Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had also read the reality behind Patna blasts yet due to his fear of BJP attack, he felt compelled to call it a general terrorist attack. However, he expressed his real feeling by saying later that “BJP has benefited with the blasts”. One thing more is being said that the Indian Mujahedeen is doing blasts in the country with the help of RSS and BJP. But this is not true in these words. It should be called that a central agency has created a fake group named Indian Mujahedeen to give benefit to the Sangh Parivar, because the agency is sympathetic to the parivar's ideology.

Identifying the basic fact

This entire episode is indicative of a fundamental reality – having implicated Muslims in in cases of bombings and violence, arresting Muslim youth regularly and thereby demonising and terrorising Muslim citizens, destroying the careers of arrested youth and uprooting their families, incapacitating  them in the surrounding environment, this all is happening under a particular political agenda. Although Muslim organisations and leaders are continuously protesting against this persecution, citing the Constitution and the laws, demanding evidence from the police and agencies, yet impact of all this is not in sight. Police and agencies are doing what they want. Political agenda is being followed as usual. Recently three persons were detained without any evidence at Raipur, only on far-fetched suspicion and the Muslim leadership was seen helpless on this persecution. Does this situation not ask the Muslim leadership to change its strategy and methodology, to rise above personal and factional interests, to refer the issue of protection of their institutions to Allah and to keep undaunted faith in getting reward afterlife by surrendering their wish of having been rewarded for good deeds in this world?

22/11/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

‘75 years ago’

Many daily newspapers of different languages reprint in their current editions twenty, fifty, seventy-five or a century old news item or editorial of the same date, through which the scenario of that period comes into light in some way or the other. The Hindi newspaper ‘Hindustan’ of North Indian also does this. In its 14 November issue, it reprinted a news item headlined  ‘Tribute to Kamal Ataturk’ in its column ‘75 years ago’: “New Delhi 14 Nov: Today, after the Question Hour  in the assembly, Bhola Bhai Desai, said while presenting  condolence on the death of  Kamal Ataturk, that “it is right that the demise of Kamal Pasha is not at all related to India but still it is such a kind of event on which the assembly should express its opinion. Kamal Ataturk showed the courage through which he broke all the conventions which had been obstacles in the way of Turkey’s development. In one single day he abolished the Arabic script and hijab and created equality between man and woman. During his 15 years rule he established such a system, in which nobody can create disorganisation”. Later on the speaker passed the resolution and adjourned the assembly in respect of the deceased.

By this small news

With this small news of 75 years ago, the whole scenario of political situations prevailing in the Indian subcontinent in the 1920s, which is stored in history books and archives of newspapers, came before the eyes. That was the period of British rule. The freedom struggle was in the final phase. The above mentioned assembly was established by the Britishers which used to do coordinate between the British government and Indians. Despite the apparent conflict with the British government, the majority of Indian leaders, like the Indian National Congress, was under the influence of British politics and culture. Having abolished the Osmania Caliphate of Turkey in 1923, the British monarchy displayed importantly its conspiracies and ungratefulness in installing pro-west Ataturk Kamal Pasha over there. It is obvious that the death of Kamal Pasha was so woeful for British India, but on the other side there was great satisfaction also, that during his regime Pasha threw the hijab off the faces of Muslim women, banned the Arabic script, and on the model of western social life, sowed the lethal seed of free mixing of men and women in Turkey. His biggest ‘achievement’ was that by abolishing the Caliphate he not only put an end to the rule of Islamic Shari’ah in Turkey but became the cause of discouragement for other Muslim countries as well.

Why was the tribute deemed necessary?

Therefore, despite the fact that ‘the demise of Kamal Pasha is not at all related to India’, paying tribute to Pasha was considered necessary. Obviously, the British government had to do this, but Indian National Congress also did not want to lag behind, because Indian National Congress had been working under the influence of Hindu Mahasabha in many affairs and Turkey, Islamic Caliphate and Muslim community were among them. The R.S.S had also come into existence in the period close to 1923 – it becomes clear (nay fresh in mind) that the roots of anti-Islam mind-set found palpably in today’s political and some administrative sections are very deep, and their proximity with western thought and ideology is equally ancient. To see women unveiled, to make them shameless after having stood them in the line of men, and the mentality of putting further pressure on them for making money, is also against to the Indian traditions, but under the enmity of Islamic Shair’ah it had been welcomed before 75 years ago and even today it is much more under the American system mimesis. Therefore, those who are wishing to create positive and constructive changes in Indian society on the basis of Divine accountability must study the history of country’s past in depth. 

 19/11/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

These our scholars

Many scholars who are sympathisers of Muslim Brotherhood say about Egypt that instead of struggling with the military, the Brotherhood should have adopted the path of reconciliation. President Morsi should have acknowledged the superiority of military and withdrawn himself from power. That is, after the intervention of military, the Brotherhood should have settled in homes and as before left Egypt at the mercy of army. This was the vision before these scholars. As the Brotherhood did not do so, to these scholars all the responsibility of the bloodshed which killed many people and left many others injured in military operations, lies on Muslim Brotherhood and their Freedom and Justice Party. Like the opponents of Brotherhood, these people also believe that the Brotherhood should have adopted the path of national reconciliation and won the confidence of other groups and parties besides the Opposition. Getting into the shoes of the enemies of Brotherhood, they also say that the Brotherhood should have withdrawn their Islamist agenda and followed the common ‘secular’ agenda. In the style of common commentators, who are not familiar with the condition prevailing in Egypt, these scholars also say that Morsi and his government got a whole year but in this duration he did nothing to improve Egypt’s economic and administrative conditions, rather destroyed Egypt.

Had they been those scholars

Had these scholars been those who do have sufficient knowledge of Islam and Islamic Shari’ah but are unaware of Islamic movement, especially of the history of Muslim Brotherhood, its constitution, manifesto and performances, it would not have been surprising. But it is strange that these inappropriate and irresponsible comments are also from the pens of scholars who are basically associated with the Islamic movement. Such a write-up has come from the pen of an Islamic scholar and intellectual who also publishes a quarterly from Aligarh. He has written all this in its April-June issue. He has also commented on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, as an example of and for comparison with Muslim Brotherhood. He has justified whatever treatment the secular Awami League government is meting out to the Jamaat over there. Not only this, he has levelled serious allegations against the Jamaat there which the Sheikh Hasina government and the anti-Islam commentators of India have been levelling. To these Islamic scholars, the Islamic movements in Egypt and Bangladesh are totally imprudent, indiscreet and lack political acumen. About those who are raising their voice against Egypt’s persecution, he has written: “Now when the Egyptian President Morsi has been sacked, it has created uproar in the neighbouring country Pakistan and in the print media of Jamaat-e-Islami in India, and the army and the opposition over there are being subjected to fierce criticism. As if it were a sin to protest against persecution.

But here are the facts

While analysing one’s ideas and thoughts, one’s intention, knowledge and understanding should not subjected to doubt; especially when it is in the context of thought and philosophy of an Islamic scholar and intellectual. On the write-up under discussion, at least it can be said that it has been written without any knowledge; otherwise the comment would have been something else. For the reminder of that commentator and many other sincere writers like him, some facts are presented here: (1) Since the very first day, the Muslim Brotherhood has worked with utmost farsightedness and great caution. They stayed behind during the Arab Spring but they are definitely guilty of taking part in elections and did come out with flying colours in all five stages of election and referendum with popular public support while Egyptian army and external forces made their efforts at every step and at a very large scale to defeat them. (2) By giving representation to political opponents, Christians and women, they decided their way of action. (3) Like Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, they did not totally sever relations with America and Israel; however they did try to limit their interference in Egypt. (4) By changing the western policy on Suez Canal, they tried to bring it all in the interest of Egypt. (5) Without begging aid from America and the Gulf, they took a number of concrete measures to strengthen Egypt economically. (6) And we do not know whether or not the commentator is aware of the fact that sacking of President Morsi was celebrated in Israel, America breathed a sigh of satisfaction at the success of its plot, and the wealthy rulers in the Gulf having welcomed this persecution warmly opened their treasuries to help the persecutors.

16/11/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

Dhaka, New Delhi, Washington

These days our government is very much concerned about the political situation in Bangladesh. The concern was there already but now it has increased due to the US position. This concern was based on the assumption that 'Radical Islam' is getting strengthened over there in the joint leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which has created the chance of Bangladesh emerging as the centre of “Islamic terrorism” in the region. And this concern of our government is despite that the Awami League dispensation there has left no stone unturned in crushing Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islam-loving circles. But the sources of Indian government probably know that they might have succeeded in giving some harm to the Jamaat system but could not break the impact and public support of the Jamaat. Now the US stand has further worried New Delhi. According to a report, the foreign office of U.S. gives preference to B.N.P/Jamaat alliance over Awami League, due to the economic performance of this alliance. While the Indian government is standing like a rock at the back of Awami League and wants to see it succeed in the next  election.

The basis of the report

And the basis of this report of the Times of India (1 November) is that US ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena recently held long meetings with foreign ministry officials in New Delhi. No formal report of the meetings was published but the Times reporter has drawn some conclusions therefrom. One is that the leaning of America is towards B.N.P/Jamaat alliance. Secondly, America is not happy with the relations of Shaikh Hasina government with Mohammad Yunus of Grameen Bank and war crimes tribunals. On the assumption of Indian government that if the B.N.P/Jamaat alliance comes to power then ‘Radical Islam’ will be further strengthened in Bangladesh, America says that after coming to power this alliance would understand the basic realities of the country and public requirements and would give up ‘Radical Islam’. But the government of India is not satisfied with the idea. It has also become worried about the stability of Burma. India is of the view that Rohingya Muslims live in Burma in great numbers and now they are creating problems over there. They are joining Al-Qaida and Lashkar-e-Taiba. In fact, our government is in worried that the sphere of radical Islamic politics will spread over to North-East India and even to the Poznan province of China.

The Actual cause of trouble

It looks strange that America gives preference to B.N.P/Jamaat alliance over Awami League – but for the now, it should  be seen why the ruling class of India is troubled by  the idea of Islamic collective life in Bangladesh. If there is a rule is established there on Islamic principles or Islamic rulings are made base for certain issues, what harm it would incur to our country? But the fact is that this question is based on their ignorance. The matter is not that easy. This is related to the country's ruling class, which is suffering with traditional racism and born arrogance and has eternal enmity with the True Religion. This class practically runs the government. Big government functionaries work with the mindset of this class. The people of this class themselves are also on the government. They fear if the establishment of Islamic equality succeeds somewhere in the neighbourhood then their social system here will collapse. Their close friendship with Israel has made this class more active. (In this case the United States has its own policy). Are there not some people from among the country's Muslim and non-Muslim scholars who, for the greater cause of the country, can hold out the political system from the grip of this class?

08/11/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

Dress Ordinance by Khap Panchayat

Haryana Khap Panchayats have done a new deed of creating hardship for the pioneers of “women’s liberty” by passing a new dress ordinance for female students and young women. The Ordinance says that all girls of more than 10 years should cover themselves from head to toe. Even their eyes should be under cover, only hands can be open. According to this regulation, standard clothing is Salwar Kameez which should not be of tight fitting, with dupatta. This dress code is released by the two big Khap Panchayats of Jhajjar zone on 18 October 2013, according to whom while going outside their homes girls should never use such outfits which can attract young men towards them. Jeans and T-shirts are prohibited. Misuse of mobile phones and interaction with non-related boys are also restricted. Television programmes affect the behaviour of girls and boys. Khap leaders are pressurising even on the need of having separate buses for school and college going girls and boys. Near to them, untraditional behaviour of girls and young women and their liberal interaction with boys is responsible for the situations leading to the incidences of "Honour Killing" (The Hindu 19 October)

Who is restive …?

This new decision of Khap Panchayats has created malaise among those regions which always make a hullabaloo on every incidence of women harassment but remain against good advice to be given to them. And, as written in this Daily report which is related to the fresh decision of Khap Panchayat, these champions of women rights and their liberty of likes and dislikes have considered this step of Khap as a “Talibani process” whose roots are from mid-age. But Khap leaders do not care about all this. They think it necessary in favour of girls themselves. A senior member of “Sarvi Khap” , a group of Khap Panchayat, Mr. Om Prakash Dhankar says, “Though these steps of ours seem to be hard but these are very important in order to prevent new generation from sexual exacerbation and to stop the incidences of honour killing, in fact it is in favour of girls themselves.” In accordance of the Vice Chairman of Barah Barohar, the girls who are adopting the modern tradition of clothing and living, are the agents of those who are polluting the society and are defaming the society as well. These Khap leaders want these girls not to do violation of their provisions as it will be better for them.

Khap Leaders and Taliban

Here, the aim is not to advocate Khap leaders’ decisions through which they take laws in their hands but to make women and girls civilized especially, appreciation of new Ordinance of dress is surely the aim. They take it as a good chance for telling about Taliban and their culture. Khap leaders must be reading and listening about the Afghani Taliban that they are very cruel and uncivilized, they torture women, oppose girls’ literacy; so is the case of them. They too want women to be covered from head to toe, prohibit liberal interaction of girls and boys, preventing from the misuse of television and mobile phones.

Since Khap leaders and Taliban have same thoughts in this regard and are defamed for the same reason but the propaganda against Taliban is globally spread because their teachings are in accordance with Islam. And Khap leaders must know that today, only those powers are opposing Islam who have made women shameless, spoiled, characterless, a market commodity of sex and a toy to fulfill the desires of men and these nations and their under influenced regions want the same, too.

25/10/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida Hussain

A provoking report from Colombo

A provoking report has come from Colombo, summing up, “After Nepal now Sri Lanka is going to be a safe zone for ‘Lashkar-e-Taiyba’ where they are preparing plans for attacks on India and Europe. There Wahhabis come in a sizable number as male and female tourists and plan out for terrorism with the help and support of local people.

“This international terrorist organization has the support of ISI. This group brings its plans in shape through the medium of fake currency. Its intense effect in local people is increasing and the threat of riot between Wahhabis and Buddhists is also increasing like the riot in Myanmar. After the recent attacks, threat among the Muslims of Bodh Gaya has increased….Incidence of Gaya also affected Sri Lanka. Wahhabis targeted not only the liberal Muslims, but Buddhists, Hindus and Christians too. Tamil Ministers of Sri Lanka are also worried because of the Lashkar activities. They are under threat that if these activities are not stopped, there may attack temples and churches. Lashkar-e-Taiyba is contacting the armed organizations of Syria and training them for destruction.”

Objective of this mischieve

The Sunday Guardian (6 October) published the report of its reporter, Madhonaalpat, on first page as first news and the reporter has prepared this story with reference to the “unknown specialists” of international terrorism. That means their “specialists” did not disclose their names which clearly indicates that in the name of so-called terrorist organizations, it is a part of the mission to get the global support against Islam and practising Muslims by defaming them which is running under the label of “War on Terror” for the last few years. In this pointless ridiculous report, an evil and shameless attempt is made to aggravate the Sri Lankan Hindu, Bodh, Tamils and Christians against native Muslims. When it is regarding Indian Muslims, they are already mortgaged on the question of terrorist groups across the border.

No matter what report is coming about such groups, whatever statement is given in this regard, they cannot say anything even if it comes to their religion. If they dare to speak something, would be considered traitors. Because of such groups, they are compelled to bear abusive words like ‘Islamic Terrorism’ and ‘Muslim Terrorism’.

Analysis of the report:

Since this report covers the name of Lashkar-e-Taiyba, Pakistan and its ISI, hence, it is the duty of foreign Minister of Islamabad or Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi to clarify their position; we have no concern with Pakistan.

Likewise, if the government has solid proof against the group named Lashkar-e-Taiyba, then strict action should be taken against it; the whole country is there to support the government.

But this report of Colombo is neither unexpected nor makes any surprise to the Muslim community as they are becoming used to hearing and reading such communal stories.

Here, concern is with one aspect of the report – “Editorial director of Sunday Guardian, M.J. Akbar, who is a famous English journalist, is well known to us what he is according to belief, ideology and principles. Since he has a Muslim background, it is certain that he will not be unaware of the basic teachings of Islam and history of Muslim Umma.”

He must be aware of the truth of ‘War on Terror’ very well – we are not surprised on what mainstream media and other observers are crying for, either they are unaware of the facts or they are intentionally being a part of anti-Islamic global mission. Everyone of them has its own personal agenda and self-interest. But it is very surprising and moreover regretful when a famous observer, in spite of having Islamic understanding and with Muslim ground, publishes mischievous report in his newspaper. It will be very nice if Mr M.J. Akbar himself analyses this report and either does its confirmation or denies it.

12/10/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by:Miss Khalida 

Addressing Baba Ram Dev

“On 3^rd September at Hardwar, when you were  saying that a saint should not meet a woman in solitary whether she is mother, daughter, sister, mother-in-law or any other woman,  you were, though unintentionally, talking about what is mentioned in Islam.

It is similar to the teaching of Deen-e-Islam. The last messenger of Islam Mohammad (PBUH) says: “None amongst you meet a woman in solitary because in such situation, the third existence is of Shaitan.” (Tirmizi 2)

“None amongst you meet a woman in solitary until the presence of a Mehram”. (Bukhari 3)

“None amongst you meet with a woman in solitary and none amongst you women travel alone until accompanied with a Mehram.”          (Bukhari)

… and it is obvious that you would have given this advice with reference of the holy scriptures. The only difference is that Islamic Shariah distinct between Mehram and Non Mehram according to the need of human society. It has softer view in case of mother, daughter and sister, whereas it is strict to its rule in case of other non Mehram women.”

And you have seen this too…

“And Babaji, you have also observed the negative reaction of general people on your this comment. Throughout the evening of 3^rd September, your this statement remained the central point of debate on many of news channels. Even those people too, who opposed the Aasaram’s episode , did not like your statement though your statement was in view of Aasaram’s episode itself.

If you have gone through news channels that evening, you would have seen the same faces who were against your thinking and opinion on homosexuality and open relations of men and women, living together without marriage.

It might be in your knowledge that Muslim citizens supported all your views in all these cases and even supporting your fresh statement, too. It is because Islamic teachings are also same in this context.

Muslim urban, also, supports you in the opposition of all wickedness like alcohol and other types of intoxications, behavioural distortion, obscenity, distraction of teachers and scholars in colleges & universities etc.

Most of the behavioural teachings in Islam and Vedic Dharma are similar.” 

Standing against this deterioration…

“… and Ramdev ji, the fuss and clamour roused on your statement, has once again flashed the diplomatic face of our civilized society just like when it happened in December last year. During the debate after the incidence of treating a 23 year student ravenously, it was cleared that on one hand, this society creates scene on sexual crimes and women atrocity and demands for not less than a death penalty for such criminals, while on other hand, gets out of control when an advice is given to women, girls and scholars.

‘Open minded’ people of this society believe in that women and young girls have rights to live in a manner they want, they can wear whatever they want, can hangout till late night and can behave according to their will and wishes. Muslim Urban society is against this evil thought so, is it not possible to you and other people like you to organize a campaign against this behavioural distortion and brawl thought?

If you go ahead with such a campaigning, supports of Muslim urban especially, Students Islamic Organization and Girls Islamic Organization will be with you all the way.

 19/09/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

Shab-e-Bar’at

This standard of backwardness

A new-Muslim lady of Tamil Nadu filed a petition in Madras High Court, praying that as she belonged by birth to a backward community in the State, therefore this social status of hers be maintained even after her conversion so that on its basis she might get a better government job. But the court rejected her petition, saying that this social status of hers came to an end with her conversion as there is no caste system in Islam. Pronouncing the judgement, Justice V. Ramasubramanian said, ““No person can acquire backwardness or most backwardness socially, upon conversion from one religion to another. Backwardness is determined by birth and not by conversion.” (The Hindu) The petitioner, S. Yasmine, was born in a Christian Nadar community. The Nadar community is classified as backward class in the Constitution. This lady got converted to Islam and married a Muslim.

The Constitution of India maintains it

The judgement pronounced by the Madras High Court is not new. Judgements of this sort have been pronounced for the last sixty years. Through the medium of these judgements what is in fact told is that quota or reservation in government jobs is only for those castes and communities that have been declared backward by birth in the Hindu dharma viz. the Brahmanic social system. The members of these communities can avail themselves of facilities until they remain within the fold of this system and are called Hindu. These facilities are ceased as soon as they come out of this system (Brahman social order). And the judges do not pronounce these judgements on their own; they pronounce in accordance with the Constitution of India, as the Constitution says exactly this. That is, in this case, the Constitution of the Republic of India is biased. The judges explain the Constitution. In the judgement of Madras High Court, Justice V. Ramasubramanian did explain it, saying that “if a Hindu is converted to Christianity or another religion, which does not recognise caste, the conversion amounts to a loss of the said caste.”

Before the declaration of independence

And this unconstitutional element was included in the Constitution of Independent India quite willingly. To understand this, we will have to recall the incidents that took place before the declaration of Independence in the form of communal award of British government, fast unto death of Gandhiji and Puna Pact. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, who was the leader of Dalits and backward classes, was demanding a social status for them separate from the Hindu society. Communal award was in accordance with that demand. Gandhiji made very serious protest against it. Thereafter an agreement was signed between Gandhiji and Dr. Ambedkar which is known as Puna Pact, under which Communal award was withdrawn. This was a mysterious pact, the details of which even Dalit scholars of today do not know. But it is said reservation for “backward” castes was decided during that discussion. This is why after Independence, Dr. Ambedkar was made chairman of the committee to draft the Constitution and reservation was included therein. And after Independence, when the question of Dr. Ambedkar came before Dr. Ambedkar, he adopted Buddhism. – This is a very interesting discussion; it must be studied.

01/07/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

These scenes of Uttarakhand

As in the rest of the world, here in India too natural calamities do visit: earthquakes, storms, tempests, hurricanes, cyclones, cracking of clouds, falling of mountain and icy cliffs, etc. Flood, cyclonic tempest and cracking of clouds have become regular annual feature in certain areas. But the scenario seen in mid-June in Uttarakhand, which had once been the mountainous region of the State of Uttar Pradesh, was exceptional. The countrymen will remember this natural calamity for a pretty long time, especially for those terrible experiences of the devotees and pilgrims of the four dhams.
The experiences they have described on TV channels are heart-rending. Properties and provisions were destroyed; lives of dear and near ones were also lost. Many persons saw with their own naked eyes their relations, children and old, being washed away by flood water or breathing their last. They were all worried about their own lives. They spent five days together without anything to eat, under the shadow of death. The cries of children, out of hunger and thirst, pain and worry, were heart-rending. There was danger all the time of rolling flood waters, cracking of clouds or falling down of mountain cliffs.

Those scenes are also coming to mind
Those who are living in safe regions or have never come across such a calamity cannot visualize truly the sufferings of the victims and their mental condition. Yes, those individuals and families who have such experiences, or have come across bus or train accidents, or communal flare-ups or attacks on “backward castes” by so-called forward caste people can feel these sufferings and realize the mental condition of victims to a great extent. Having heard the painful stories of victims and calamity-stricken people right from themselves on TV channels, I was reminded of the scenes of the same category eleven years ago that were related to the oppressed victims of barbarism after the Godhra train incident. The only difference was that the Uttarakhand calamity was natural which was beyond the control of anyone while the Gujarat tragedy was created by brutes in human garb. In a way the Gujarat tragedy was rather more serious for the victims were also subjected to sexual assault, little kids were thrown into the fire and eatables were destroyed.

Let this fact be kept in mind
Gentle persons have sympathy with the victims of both the kinds.  They share their sufferings. They wish that those who have lost their near and dear ones keep patience and never come across such a tragedy again. Likewise, they wish that the victims of Gujarat get justice, their pleas are heard and they never come across such a situation. – It is being said that one of the causes of Uttarakhand tragedy is human intervention in the process of nature. Tall buildings, cutting of trees in large numbers, scientific experiments and efforts to change the environment are responsible for it. They must have been. But the fact that nature is after all nature should be kept in mind. Whatever you may do, it cannot keep from showing its power. Everything is under the perfect control of the Almighty who created this universe, who holds perfect control and command over whatever is on and inside it; He has His own principles and has His own Justice system. Scholars of almost all religions and faith say that the causes of natural calamities also include increase in riots on earth, moral crimes, injustice, obscenity and man’s oppression on man. This aspect of nature should be there while finding out the causes of Uttarakhand tragedy. 
28/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

Punishment in England

A British court awarded up to 19-and-a-half year jail terms to six Muslim youth for their “crime” of planning terrorism. The story of British police and media is that in June last year an anti-Islam group “English Defence League” organised a public meeting in Dewsbury in Yorkshire, where Muslims live in large numbers. It was aimed at provoking the populace against Islam and Muslims. When this news reached Birmingham, six youth from there arrived in Dewsbury with different kinds of weapons. But by the time they entered the city, the meeting was disposed of and the participants had dispersed. When they were on their way back to Birmingham, the police stopped their vehicle and demanded registration papers. When they were unable to present the papers, the police searched the vehicle and discovered guns, swords, knives, pipe bombs, and “jihadi” and “ideological” literature. In the meanwhile, the police could know of their planning as well. Then the police arrested them and filed a case against them and the court pronounced the jail terms on 6 June.

“Jihadi” group and English League

An analyst Farrukh Dhondy has described and also commented on the entire episode in an article. He has mocked at both the “jihadi” group and the English League (The Hindustan Times, 19 June). Farrukh Dhondy lives in London but is associated with Indian media. And he is perhaps a Parsi. He has written that neither English Defence League enjoys public support nor do the British Muslims like “jihadi” groups. However, the way he has mentioned the “jihadis” is the same that the media usually adopts, in which real information is less than the propaganda. It is true that in the recent past anti-Muslim sentiments in Britain have intensified, the cause of which is said to be the attack on Houston marathon allegedly by Muslims and killing of an English policeman; but both of these incidents are worth investigating. Circumstances clearly indicate that the Houston attack was an act of anti-Muslim groups, in the pretext of which the British police detained a Chechen Muslim family, which was their pre-hatched plan.

Let some analysts also do this work

It is said that the extremist Christians in Britain are very much perturbed about the rising penetration of Islam in the British society, and the English Defence League represents them, the purpose of whose activities is to harass Muslims and to make the Britons fearful about Islam. But it is also a fact that the British citizens are coming closer to Islam and many of them are coming to the fold of Islam. According to British agencies themselves, Islam has emerged as the second largest religion in England. No effect of the propaganda unleashed against Islam and the Muslim Ummah by ascribing the acts of terror to Muslims is seen on the Britons embracing Islam. Therefore, analysts like Farrukh Dhondy should analyse the situation in an unbiased manner instead of being part of anti-Islam campaign and see the reality of charges of terrorism against Muslims, who is responsible if some sentimental Muslim youth get provoked and why the educated whites of Britain, especially women, are being drawn towards Islam.

 25/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

Dhaka – the anxiety of an analyst

A famous and farsighted political analyst of the country, Kuldip Nayar is concerned about the situation prevailing in Bangladesh these days and is disappointed with its future. He has expressed it in his fresh commentary “Bangladesh has lost its way” (The Asian Age, 6 June). The inspiration for his commentary is a book by Kamal Hussain, which consists of an analysis of the history of Bangladesh and the present situation over there. Kamal Hussain is one of the close friends of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and had been Minister for External Affairs in his government, which was the first government of the republic. Mr. Nayar has studied that book but perhaps he could not find therein what he wanted to. The book of Kamal Hussain is not at hand. However, with the feelings of Mr. Nayar, it can be imagined that the writer has made a realistic analysis of the situation. The writer has pinpointed the irregularities and excesses of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and now his daughter Hasina, and has also perhaps expressed views on the basic principles of foreign policy and imbalance between secularism and religion. While Mr. Nayar wanted him to talk only on keeping the spirit of freedom live and on curbing the rising religiosity of Bangladeshis.

What does he want?

This process of disappointment of Mr. Nayar about Bangladesh started a few days ago when in response to the state protests at Shahbagh large protests by an organization called Hefazat-e-Islam were being staged and despite the full coercion unleashed by the government and its agents could not be stopped. At last, the “democratic” government over there, like the worst despotic government, crushed those protests with full force and banned the pro-Hefazat media. But, as a result of it, public sentiments against the government got strengthened. Mr. Nayar is getting disappointed with all this. He deems this situation as victory of “religious fanaticism” over democracy and spirit of freedom. During this period the book of Kamal Hussain hit the stands; it made him more disappointed. – In fact, Mr. Nayar has earnest love and deep concern for Bangladesh. There has been very great ideological cooperation of his in the efforts to establish this new republic. He wants Bangladesh to stick to its spirit of freedom, viz. Bangla nationalism, regionalism and lingual bias, and not to fall prey to “religious fanaticism”. This is what we gather from his commentaries.

Result of unawareness about Islam

This thinking of Mr. Kuldip Nayar and other analysts like him is in fact the result of their unawareness about the reality of Islam and turning a blind eye to the destructive consequences of nationalism. Islam is the standard-bearer of human equality and unity of human beings. It weaves them in one garland on the basis of the faith of monotheism by accepting all human beings as the children of one father and one mother, after which all considerations of region, native land, race, nationalism and language remain only for identification while nationalism or nation-worship serves as the cause for getting one community fight with other communities, the expression of which can be seen today in the whole world. It would be in the fitness of things if Mr. Kuldip Nayar and his co-thinkers, who are worried about the lovers of Islam getting strengthened over there, effect a change in their thinking and support the establishment of a system on the bases of Islamic principles. If such a change takes place there, they would see Bangladesh getting strong, consolidated and prosperous, and rise of love and brotherhood among the citizens, and at the same time the relations of our country with Bangladesh are getting more pleasant on strong foundations. Let Mr. Nayar see at least one such experiment in his lifetime.

22/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

A discussion of fifty years ago

It was a little more than fifty years ago. The issue of causes and responsibility of partition of India was under discussion during a detailed meeting with Late Dr. Abdul Moghni, a distinguished scholar, litterateur and critic of the country. The context of the discussion was then published book “Partition: Myth or Reality” by H.M. Seervai, a renowned jurist and eye witness of the Partition.  Seervai, with reference to historical documents, wrote therein that the attitude of all great leaders of Indian National Congress including Gandhi, Nehru and Patel and their irresponsible outlook towards Muslims were mainly responsible for the Partition. Maulana Azad and Mohammad Ali Jinnah kept on making efforts on their own till the end that Partition could be evaded. But the Congress leadership had made up their mind about Partition and to throw all such responsibility on Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his Muslim League. Dr. Abdul Moghni was urged that as a political group in the country has been condemning and harassing Muslims regularly after the Independence by declaring only Muslims responsible for Partition, so it is necessary that the realities of Partition of India be brought to the fore. And this work is not so difficult.

Muslim mindset after Independence

This work was not so difficult because its records are preserved in India Office Library of London and inside the country as well. There can be many books too. People like Seervai were also present (at that time). However the late Doctor did not agree to it. He was of the view that there was no use of this work; what happened is gone; now Indian Muslims should concentrate all their attention on the solution to their problems and on education and economy. It should be ensured that we maintain our presence here as a strong religious entity with Islamic identity and honour and dignity. – And this mindset of Late Dr. Abdul Moghni was representative of the collective mindset of Muslim leadership of Independent India. After Independence, Muslim leaders and their organisations decided that Muslims have to live in a pleasant and peaceful environment along with all their fellow citizens without any conflict with any group, forgetting the bitterness of Partition. Therefore, Jamiat-ul-Ulama and other organisations devoted themselves to rehabilitation of victims. All India Muslim League transformed itself into Indian Union Muslim League. Jamaat-e-Islami added ‘Hind’ to its name and declared Indian Union as its area of operation.

66-year history bears witness to it

The 66-year history bears evidence to the fact that Muslims stuck to their decision and practised it. They did not create on their own any conflict with any community or group; however, they stressed protecting their Islamic identity, honour and dignity and Constitutional rights. While on the other hand, the mindset which had paved the way for Partition with their unjust course of action continued to work later as well. It was working at the time when Seervai’s book was published and is at work even today. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the record of history with regard to Partition; otherwise with the passage of time every new generation will go farther and farther from the realities. I was reminded of this discussion with Late Dr. Abdul Moghni after the report published in newspapers of 6 June saying that Central Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra has impressed upon the Government to make public the two speeches Mohammad Ali Jinnah has made on All India Radio just before the declaration of Independence, and further that all the realities of the Partition of India be brought to the fore. The Commissioner had issued this direction on a petition filed under R.T.I. It is an opportunity if the Muslim leadership realises the need and importance of this work. For this purpose petitions under R.T.I can be filed on one’s own. 

19/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

Those speeches of Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Central Information Commission (CIC) wants that all the pre-Independence realities preserved in government records should be made public; now when 65 years have passed since Independence, it has become necessary that details of important developments of that most important age of history be made public; what were the agreements made before Independence, who said what and how many leaders went to Pakistan, all this should be told to people so that students of history, research scholars and common citizens having interest in the history of that age might come to know the realities. In this regard it would be wrong to refer to some section of R.T.I Act under which information of this kind cannot be made public. According to newspapers of 6 June, Central Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra issued this direction to the Government on a petition of an R.T.I activist Subhash C. Agrawal. Mr. Agrawal sought under this law the text of the two speeches Mohammad Ali Jinnah had made on All India Radio just before the declaration of Independence. These two speeches are preserved in the archive of All India Radio, under the supervision of Prasar Bharti.

These three terms of Independent India

“Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Partition of India, Pakistan” – these three terms have been very sensitive and cause of political chaos in Independent India. Where on the one hand, a section of population which was left most affected with the act of partition and has been suffering the punishment of sins they have never committed, is very much cautious in using these terms, on the other hand there is a section, a big part of whose political business runs with the help of these terms. Presenting the causes of partition of India in a twisted way and then condemning Indian Muslims under the pretext of “Mohammad Ali Jinnah”, “Partition” and “Pakistan” is its typical politics. And for that matter, shelving the realities of Partition has been done at the governmental plane as well. After the Independence, Indians are being taught one-sided history. Therefore it is the desire of conscious Muslim citizens that the realities behind the Partition should come to the fore. Besides, what Mohammad Ali Jinnah in fact was, what did he want, why was he compelled to demand Pakistan, what was the part of Muslim League, Congress and Hindu Mahasabha in the Partition – all this should be told to the new generation. It is a matter of pleasure that this voice has been raised by a responsible citizen through R.T.I. And more important is the fact that the chief of a government institution like Information Commission has supported it.

What would have been there in the speeches?

It is not known yet why Subhash Agrawal wanted those speeches of Jinnah dug up, and what expectations he had with the contents thereof. Likewise, it is also not clear whether the Information Commissioner approved Mr. Agrawal’s application in a cursory way or he also kept the mindset of the country’s ruling class before him. In reply to Mr. Agrawal, Prasar Bharti initially said it was searching the speeches and later, referring to Section 8(1)A of the R.T.I Act, replied that the speeches cannot be made public as they are of very delicate and sensitive nature. While when the speeches were broadcast, thousands would have listened to them and their reports must have found place in newspapers, it is wrong to call this document secret and clandestine. But it is also true that a period of 66 years has passed, people forgot it or passed away; therefore the government wants to keep this chapter closed. However, this point is also apprehensible that if there might have been something improper in the speeches which might have been exploited to condemn Pakistan or Muslims, then this might not have been the government standpoint. Therefore, the opinion of Subhash Agrawal and the Information Commissioner should be supported in a great way. 

13/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf  

Mumbai-like news from Beijing

There is an interesting report from Beijing, the capital of China. By nature this is the same as was a report from Mumbai a few days ago, in which the Municipal Corporation approved a proposal to ask the Municipal Commissioner to get removed all female statues that are decorated with inner and short dresses of women for display. The cause of approval of the proposal was that such things cause sexual urge in youth as a result of which sexual crimes are committed in the city. – The news from Beijing is a step forward. The police officers and public transport authority there have issued a direction to women asking them not to step out of their homes in insufficient dresses like miniskirts and tight pants. Further that while passing through subways and on taking seats in buses they should cover themselves with newspapers, news magazines or their bags in a way that mischievous persons might not shoot their snaps with some wrong angle. Besides, Chinese women have also been told that they must not sit on upper seats in buses and to use only lower seats. This news from Beijing has been published in newspapers of 6 June with reference to the Chinese state newspaper, “China Daily”.

Difference between mindsets of Delhi and Beijing

This news from Beijing has come amidst the reports that, as in India, there too incidents of sexual harassment are on the increase. Like here, the officials there are also trying to contain these incidents. The only difference is that before adopting ways and means to contain these they consider the causes of the situation and try to put a stop on the sources of the crime. While the officials in our country are not for considering the causes; if they ever want to do so and sometimes they do, the civil society here does not let them do. If some responsible person says something in this direction then the people of society go after him. The westernized circles here are of the view that dress style of women, their lifestyle and their staying outside home till late night have nothing to do with sexual excesses. Criminals do this anyway. I don’t know whether this theory reached the Chinese officials, perhaps not. If reached, they have done one more good work by rejecting it.

Along with the congratulation

Now those who are sincere in containing sexual crimes in India should (1) congratulate the Chinese authorities on taking this move, (2) ask them via Internet as to why they took this Talibani measure, and why they hadn’t the fear that the world would condemn them, declaring their move as “Talibani”, obsolete and even “Islamic”, (3) ask them as to why they did not direct the women going outside their homes to use such dress as could cover them in a proper way and they do not need to take help of newspapers, news magazines and bags to cover themselves in order to keep themselves from the ogling of mischievous persons, their cameras and mobiles, (4) request them to send a delegation, if they can, to make the civil society here understand the appropriateness of their method and measures, and tell all those circles that do make much hue and cry on incidents of sexual excesses but do not pay attention to their causes why and how these things cause sexual brutality. No matter whether or not anyone would welcome the delegation, at least the members of Brahn Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the organization of civilized and modest girl students, G.I.O would definitely welcome it.

10/06/2013 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf