Arvind Kejriwal is an active member and spokesperson of Team Anna; and it is known that a person who speaks too much gets involved in disputes. It has happened with Arvind a lot of times. Now his current remarks have created the same situation for him. Addressing an election rally at Ghaziabad near Delhi on Feb. 25, he called Members of Parliament “thieves, looters, rapists and murderers”. When such persons are there in Parliament, “how can you expect Jan Lokpal Bill to be passed by Parliament? How can you expect that you can get reprieve from poverty and corruption.” The language of Arvind was indeed harsh, and the reaction of political parties thereon was also in line with expectations. But young Arvind stands unfazed. On Feb. 26 he, by referring to facts and figures, said the number of members in Parliament who are presently involved in moral crimes, and the number of those who are facing criminal cases. Even those who agree in principle to the aims and objectives of Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign and who lend moral support to Team Anna do not like this language and this manner of the firebrand members of the Team.
This restlessness and irritation
This is because the Anna group deems whatever it has decided in its own wisdom as the last word, and does not pay heed to anyone else. These people consider Lokpal Bill to be the panacea of all corruption, poverty and starvation, and that too the Lokpal Bill which they have drafted on their own, viz. Jan Lokpal Bill, and want that the legislature adopt it immediately. And then they have made the Union Government and its ruling party, Congress, their sole butt of criticism in this regard. Certain ministers in the Union Government are their target. This is why the largest opposition party, even not having been in favour of this sort of legislation, is extending support to Team Anna, whereby the Team is getting much encouragement. But the language they (Team Anna members) are using shows their restlessness and irritation. Arvind Kejriwal and other persons in his age group who are active in Team Anna are restless to see to it that this Bill is enacted sooner. But they do not have any solid ground and effective strategy to make the Indian society upright and free from corruption. They are raising only slogans based on wishes.
What is that solid ground?
But it is not that the attention of Team Anna was not drawn toward this solid ground. It was, and that too in an effective manner. Last year Team Anna visited Jamaat-e-Islami Hind headquarters to express their desire to have a meeting with Amir-e-Jamaat and other functionaries of the Jamaat. Therefore, on July 4, a large delegation including Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal paid a visit to the JIH headquarters. Having listened to their entire deliberation, Amir-e-Jamaat Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari expressed his agreement in principle with their objectives but explained to them in some detail: “Your method lacks the factor that ensures man an inward change, viz. the concept of the Creator and Master and the fear of the Day of Judgement, while the concept of God and the Hereafter is necessary for annihilation of all moral ills including corruption…. Man cannot keep from bad deeds unless he has the fear of the supreme being….” It was but natural for the members of the Team to get influenced (with this argument). The deepest impact was visible on Arvind Kejriwal. Expressing this impact, he accepted that his strategy lacks in this aspect and that he “would draw the attention of Anna towards it and would pay another visit for detailed discussion thereon so that we could get enlightened.” Eight months have passed. We don’t know whether Arvind remembers it or not. We hope he does. Therefore it is better that some persons (of their Team) meet him (Amir-e-Jamaat) and discuss it with him.
01/03/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf
01/03/2012
25/02/2012
One more sensational news
Why is the report a matter of concern?
The Pioneer is a semi-governmental organ owing allegiance to the ideology of R.S.S. and B.J.P. It often publishes such news reports. So its cock and bull story would not have been worth considering. But as its reporter Rakesh K Singh has frequently referred in his story to N.I.A, I.B, C.B.I, and Kerala Police, so the report is a matter of concern. A matter of concern because the government agencies are trying to create such a situation and media is a great support to them in this regard. We don’t know anything about this Popular Front and whether there is any truth in the English daily’s report on its activities. But in view of the prevailing situation, it can be said with certainty that this lie is like the one told about the individual or group that raises voice against the excesses done to the oppressed and backward sections and the minorities especially Muslims. However, it may be that the leaders of the Front raise emotional and irresponsible slogans or use strong words about the government and its agencies; but as a whole it seems that they too are perturbed about the circumstances.
What type of Muslims they like?
And to be perturbed is not something immoral or illegal. Everyone knows that our government, its Home Ministry and some political parties like only such sections especially such Muslims who are easy-going, who do not comment on the circumstances around them, who speak nothing about the atrocities against their community and individuals, who keep mum on the arrest of innocent Muslim youth. But in their eyes, those who act, at any level, against oppression and exploitation are considered most unwanted and worth detaining. Government agencies and media persons oppose them tooth and nail. They (such persons) are harassed and defamed under various pretexts. Allegations of terrorism, anti-nationalism, separatism, and waging a “war” against the nation are levelled against them. Efforts are made that not only these people are silenced but also no other person or group might raise such a voice. This is a big challenge before those working for human rights in this country. This should also be seen in the light of extraordinarily growing relations with America and Israel.
25/02/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf
22/02/2012
Car blast and the list of media
No sooner had the news of a car bomb blast on a New Delhi road in the Feb. 13 noon been fully disseminated than the reaction of Israeli prime minister came: “There is the hand of Iran,” whereby it could be known that the car belonged to the Israeli embassy and an Israeli lady diplomat was injured therein. There could have been no bigger news than this enticing the concern of Government of India and the interest of media – the media took hold of the (propaganda) front faster than the Union Home Ministry machinery came into action. The statement of Israel was simply that it was the handiwork of Iran that got it done with the help of Hizbullah of Lebanon but the Indian media started parroting the names of all those real (?) and concocted groups that had been in their record – Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, SIMI, Indian Mujahideen, HuJI, – local hand – and many other names and angles. That is, the government machinery was doing its work while the media was concocting its own cock and bull story. All this because the matter was related to the bosom friend, Israel. Some precaution was being played with regard to Iran as it supplies oil to us.
The discomfort of Government machinery
But, along with it, the Government machinery and the media occasionally had to face some uneasiness in their mission. There did come some stages where they found their premeditated line in jeopardy; but somehow they took hold of it. For instance, a news item was abuzz that the leader of Israeli (secret) agency Mossad had been present here for a few days prior to the blast. It was said that he was here to attend some meeting. Then certain newspapers repeated the story that an Israeli couple had been present in a city in Kerala, had rented a house at a very exorbitant cost, where suspicious activities were going on. But, before the people’s attention could have shifted fully to this couple, the media tainted the story that the Israeli couple had been continuing their activities in India with the help of “Islamic terror groups”. Thereafter came the statement of the injured Israeli woman, disquieting to the media and investigating agencies, that the man bombing her car had worn black clothes, not red; that the colour of his motorcycle was black, not brown; and that the blast occurred within 30-40 seconds, not 4-5 seconds. But, fearing that the lady might make some other (embarrassing) statement, she was flown back to Israel.
What the events say
A very cautious but close study of the sequence of events reveals that the Government machinery and the media had never experienced such embarrassment as they have been doing in declaring their standpoint on this act of “terrorism” though they have everything – resources, control over media, and believers in their stories. The problem with the Home Ministry is that it does not want to discover on its own the aspect of “Islamic terrorism” at least in this incident (notwithstanding the media is doing this job well). But it also does not want to hold Israel responsible for this incident. While this is quite easy as Israel has been preparing to attack Iran for a long time, and wants to seek international support for this. It has been creating a situation against Iran by committing acts of terror. And, the problem with common, justice-loving citizens is that they do not have any agency or NGO working to prove what is right right, and what is wrong wrong. Had there been any, the Feb. 13 incident could have been proved quite easily a Mossad deed.
22/02/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf
The discomfort of Government machinery
But, along with it, the Government machinery and the media occasionally had to face some uneasiness in their mission. There did come some stages where they found their premeditated line in jeopardy; but somehow they took hold of it. For instance, a news item was abuzz that the leader of Israeli (secret) agency Mossad had been present here for a few days prior to the blast. It was said that he was here to attend some meeting. Then certain newspapers repeated the story that an Israeli couple had been present in a city in Kerala, had rented a house at a very exorbitant cost, where suspicious activities were going on. But, before the people’s attention could have shifted fully to this couple, the media tainted the story that the Israeli couple had been continuing their activities in India with the help of “Islamic terror groups”. Thereafter came the statement of the injured Israeli woman, disquieting to the media and investigating agencies, that the man bombing her car had worn black clothes, not red; that the colour of his motorcycle was black, not brown; and that the blast occurred within 30-40 seconds, not 4-5 seconds. But, fearing that the lady might make some other (embarrassing) statement, she was flown back to Israel.
What the events say
A very cautious but close study of the sequence of events reveals that the Government machinery and the media had never experienced such embarrassment as they have been doing in declaring their standpoint on this act of “terrorism” though they have everything – resources, control over media, and believers in their stories. The problem with the Home Ministry is that it does not want to discover on its own the aspect of “Islamic terrorism” at least in this incident (notwithstanding the media is doing this job well). But it also does not want to hold Israel responsible for this incident. While this is quite easy as Israel has been preparing to attack Iran for a long time, and wants to seek international support for this. It has been creating a situation against Iran by committing acts of terror. And, the problem with common, justice-loving citizens is that they do not have any agency or NGO working to prove what is right right, and what is wrong wrong. Had there been any, the Feb. 13 incident could have been proved quite easily a Mossad deed.
22/02/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf
19/02/2012
The Maldives, India and Islam
(1) Question (by The Times of India, Feb. 11): “There have been fears that radical Islamism has been growing in the Maldives and could takeover. How would you address such fears?” Answer (by Mohammed Waheed Hassan, new president of Maldives): “You have to remember we are a 100% Muslim nation. We expect there will be Islamic scholars in government…. Our view is the best way of dealing with Islamist ideology is to engage with them and work with them.” (2) A major headline in The Times of India (Feb. 13) “Rise of Islamism in Maldives a cause of worry for India”. Further, in the main body of the news item, after saying that Islamic forces in the Maldives are so powerful that the ruling elite are powerless before them, deposed president Nasheed had also an understanding with them, it is written that “the new president Mohammed Waheed, in an interview with The Times of India, said that they would work with Islamic groups.” (3) One sentence of a detailed news item in The Hindustan Times (Feb. 8): “Despite close ties, New Delhi had expressed some concerns over the presence of Islamist in Maldives police and army.”
This is the tone of the news items and comments
Since Feb. 7, when the Maldives underwent a change of guard, the news items and comments in the Indian media have gone in this very direction. Newspapers and TV channels are regularly unleashing the propaganda that the Islamic elements in the Maldives have become a big threat to India. They have contacts with Al-Qaida and Taliban. They are mostly Salafi and owe allegiance to the ideology of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The media, in their reports and news analyses, are often referring to government sources. The powers-that-be in India themselves have the same thinking. Sometimes they indirectly announce their statements and often get it declared in media; particularly in government media. In the night of Feb. 8, at 9.30 p.m., All India Radio was broadcasting a discussion under “Charcha ka Vishay (Topic of Discussion)”. The participants were Ranjeet Kumar, Hindi journalist (convenor); Shashank (former Foreign Secretary); and Mahendra Ved (senior journalist). A major part of their talk consisted of the presence of “Islamists” in the Maldives, on which these educated persons were repeatedly expressing concern. It is especially worth mentioning that they were not hesitating even a bit in mentioning Islam viz. fundamentalist Islam, Wahabi Islam and jihadi Islam, rather Islam itself.
Muslims must have their own standpoint
This attitude of the Government of India and the Indian media is really not unexpected. They have got one more opportunity to draw the attention of America towards it and thereby receive American aid more and more to fight the “Islamic terrorism” in this part of the world. As the matter is between two independent countries, it is the requirement of the “patriotism” of the citizens that they support the policy of their government. But, along with it, as this is an issue related to Islam as well, the name of which is mentioned under the various pretexts and often in a negative way, so Muslim citizens must have their own stand on this crisis, which should be under the real sense of patriotism and in which right and wrong should be termed as they are. And the requirement of true patriotism is that the powers-that-be, who are badly afraid of Islam, should be acquainted with the real teachings of Islam. It should be made clear to them that Islam is a religion of mercy and kindness. And it stands against everything that harms human beings and humanity in any way. Therefore, before saying anything or forging a policy related to Islam, they must study Islam. Can’t a few of the 15-20 crore Muslim population take a firm resolve to do this work?
19/02/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf
This is the tone of the news items and comments
Since Feb. 7, when the Maldives underwent a change of guard, the news items and comments in the Indian media have gone in this very direction. Newspapers and TV channels are regularly unleashing the propaganda that the Islamic elements in the Maldives have become a big threat to India. They have contacts with Al-Qaida and Taliban. They are mostly Salafi and owe allegiance to the ideology of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The media, in their reports and news analyses, are often referring to government sources. The powers-that-be in India themselves have the same thinking. Sometimes they indirectly announce their statements and often get it declared in media; particularly in government media. In the night of Feb. 8, at 9.30 p.m., All India Radio was broadcasting a discussion under “Charcha ka Vishay (Topic of Discussion)”. The participants were Ranjeet Kumar, Hindi journalist (convenor); Shashank (former Foreign Secretary); and Mahendra Ved (senior journalist). A major part of their talk consisted of the presence of “Islamists” in the Maldives, on which these educated persons were repeatedly expressing concern. It is especially worth mentioning that they were not hesitating even a bit in mentioning Islam viz. fundamentalist Islam, Wahabi Islam and jihadi Islam, rather Islam itself.
Muslims must have their own standpoint
This attitude of the Government of India and the Indian media is really not unexpected. They have got one more opportunity to draw the attention of America towards it and thereby receive American aid more and more to fight the “Islamic terrorism” in this part of the world. As the matter is between two independent countries, it is the requirement of the “patriotism” of the citizens that they support the policy of their government. But, along with it, as this is an issue related to Islam as well, the name of which is mentioned under the various pretexts and often in a negative way, so Muslim citizens must have their own stand on this crisis, which should be under the real sense of patriotism and in which right and wrong should be termed as they are. And the requirement of true patriotism is that the powers-that-be, who are badly afraid of Islam, should be acquainted with the real teachings of Islam. It should be made clear to them that Islam is a religion of mercy and kindness. And it stands against everything that harms human beings and humanity in any way. Therefore, before saying anything or forging a policy related to Islam, they must study Islam. Can’t a few of the 15-20 crore Muslim population take a firm resolve to do this work?
19/02/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf
04/01/2012
This protest is right but…
Giving Muslims 4.5% government jobs out of the 27% share of the Backward class is indeed inadequate. This move of the government does not meet the needs and long-pending demands of Muslim citizens. Therefore the ongoing protest on the part of the Muslims is in the fitness of things. This government move is also incomprehensible because the government’s own Sachar Committee, having taken Muslim representation in government jobs as less-than-insufficient, has declared them (Muslims) as Backward; further, the Ranganath Misra Commission has recommended 10% for Muslims. In this way the government ought not to hesitate in accepting the recommendations of its two panels. But, by announcing 4.5% in a quite dramatic manner, it disappointed some people while leaving others in surprise. And, it also thereby provided a weapon against itself for a particular rival section from among its rivals. But, this aspect notwithstanding, the criticism of the government move by the Muslim leadership is after all right, proper, appropriate and necessary. Many political parties are also supporting the Muslim standpoint. It is of course good.
… not based on farsightedness
But let me say most humbly that this protest is based not very much on farsightedness. In one way it is tantamount to lessening attention on one fundamental issue. That fundamental issue is that of the honour and dignity as well as security of Muslims in this country. Is this fact hidden from any knowledgeable and conscientious Muslim that there have been planned efforts to treat Muslim citizens as blameworthy and reproachable by implicating them in terror allegations? At some time a campaign is launched to defame Islamic seminaries while at other times stories are concocted against groups, organisations and institutions, and at yet other times fake terror groups with Muslim names are formed. Innocent Muslim youths are arrested under serious but ridiculous allegations; their and their families’ lives are being destroyed. They are being subjected to untold mental and physical torture in prison cells. And all this is not the mere product of Indian minds; all this planning is imported and is part of international conspiracy.
But let me say most humbly that this protest is based not very much on farsightedness. In one way it is tantamount to lessening attention on one fundamental issue. That fundamental issue is that of the honour and dignity as well as security of Muslims in this country. Is this fact hidden from any knowledgeable and conscientious Muslim that there have been planned efforts to treat Muslim citizens as blameworthy and reproachable by implicating them in terror allegations? At some time a campaign is launched to defame Islamic seminaries while at other times stories are concocted against groups, organisations and institutions, and at yet other times fake terror groups with Muslim names are formed. Innocent Muslim youths are arrested under serious but ridiculous allegations; their and their families’ lives are being destroyed. They are being subjected to untold mental and physical torture in prison cells. And all this is not the mere product of Indian minds; all this planning is imported and is part of international conspiracy.
Let attention does not distract from the real issue
Yes, it’s absolutely true that the court has released some innocent Muslims. This is also true that some real terrorists have been detained; their confessional statements also have been made public. This is why the biggest destructive political section in the country is raising voices in and outside Parliament on some unrelated issues. In this regard it has also joined the anti-corruption movement so that the government may keep from taking some major and result-oriented action against real terrorists, and remain involved in unrelated issues. But this idea applies to Muslim leadership too. Is it not possible that efforts are being made to involve Muslims and keep them busy in issues like reservation in order to keep their attention from the international campaign to defame Islam and character-assassinate Muslims? Let it be quite clear that in the changed international scenario the very position of Indian Muslims has also changed. The biggest issue of the Muslim community in this country is that of protection of its religious identity and related signs. Therefore, along with demanding government jobs, this fundamental issue must be kept in mind.
Yes, it’s absolutely true that the court has released some innocent Muslims. This is also true that some real terrorists have been detained; their confessional statements also have been made public. This is why the biggest destructive political section in the country is raising voices in and outside Parliament on some unrelated issues. In this regard it has also joined the anti-corruption movement so that the government may keep from taking some major and result-oriented action against real terrorists, and remain involved in unrelated issues. But this idea applies to Muslim leadership too. Is it not possible that efforts are being made to involve Muslims and keep them busy in issues like reservation in order to keep their attention from the international campaign to defame Islam and character-assassinate Muslims? Let it be quite clear that in the changed international scenario the very position of Indian Muslims has also changed. The biggest issue of the Muslim community in this country is that of protection of its religious identity and related signs. Therefore, along with demanding government jobs, this fundamental issue must be kept in mind.
04/01/12 khabar-O-Nazar by Parwaaz Rahmani, sehrozaDAWAT, translated by: Abu Yusuf
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