Why do they hate her so?

Saswat Panigrahi

Driven out of West Bengal after Left Front chairman Biman Bose indirectly declared her as persona non grata -- "if Ms Taslima Nasreen's stay disturbs the atmosphere of peace in the State, she must leave," Mr Bose had said -- the dissident Bangladeshi writer has already spent three weeks in virtual house arrest in an undisclosed place in Delhi.

It's not only the Left Front Government of West Bengal that bowed before violent Islamic fundamentalists on the rampage in Kolkata, the UPA Government hasn't shown any spine to stand beside the beleaguered woman either -- both eyeing the Muslim vote-bank. A stoic Congress-led Government at the Centre has said it is ready to provide shelter to Ms Nasreen, but expects the writer to refrain from activities and expressions that may "hurt the sentiments of the people".

"Those given shelter in India have always undertaken to eschew political activities in India or any actions which may harm India's relations with friendly countries. It is also expected that the guests will refrain from activities and expressions that may hurt the sentiments of our people." This statement read in Parliament by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, in an oblique reference to Ms Nasreen, smacks of appeasement of the fundamentalist forces.

If Ms Nasreen's prospect of returning to her home country Bangladesh is remote, her chances of returning to Kolkata in the milieu of her linguistic community of Bengalis are dim. This, despite her decision to delete three 'objectionable' pages from her autobiography Dwikhandita. For the first time in the country, a famous woman writer has been disgraced due to vote-bank politics. In doing so, pseudo-secularist Union and State Governments have suavely brushed aside the Indian philosophy of "atithi dewo bhawa" (a guest is godly). This is a dishonour to the Indian culture as well.

A woman is being disrespected by two 'secular' fundamentalist Governments that have, on another front, failed to deport Bangladeshi infiltrators who pose a serious threat to national security. Come election, these political parties shamelessly compete with each other for a bigger share of the illegal immigrants' vote-bank pie.

A defenceless woman, who showed rare courage to speak out against growing Islamic fundamentalism, has come in the way of the UPA and Left Front Government's greed for votes.

-- Published in the Edit page of The Pioneer on December 23, 2007

Stars are witness to Lord Ram

Saswat Panigrahi

By denying the authenticity of the Ramayan, the 'secularists' have not only hurt Hindu sentiments, but also rebuffed history. They have questioned the existence of an icon of Hinduism whose exploits have been woven into the epic by Valmiki whose account can be corroborated from other sources.

The method of time measurement on the basis of the movement of the Sun and other planets of the universe, in vogue in the ancient period, were recorded by the scholars of that era. When we flip through the pages of the Ramayan, astronomical references to the datelines related to the life and times of Lord Ram are found. Valmiki mentions the location of planets vis-?-vis the zodiac signs, on the basis of which it can be concluded that Ramayan is a true story.

A large number of places replete with historic and scientific evidence bear testimony to the events of the epic. Ram Setu is a bridge that connected Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka. The vaanar sena constructed the bridge to reach the island in order to rescue Lord Ram's abducted wife Sita from Ravan.

The unique historical incident is also backed by evidence brought out by the Department of Earth Sciences of India. A report dated March 2007 states that near Rameshwaram, the 'teri' formation supported a rich compilation of mesolithic and microlithic matters, which is evidence of human activity in these areas as early as 8,000 to 9,000 years ago and as recent as 4,000 years ago.

Ramayan is a part of that history which talks about the culture not only of our country, but also Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Bali, Philippines, Cambodia and Myanmar. But political fundamentalists like Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi are questioning the very existence of Lord Ram, thus justifying a proposed destruction of Ram Setu - a structure symbolising the essence of our culture. By saying, "We see only Adam's bridge, no Ram Setu", these leaders wilfully ignore the sacred tradition that has woven the diverse cultures of the sub-continent since time immemorial.

As per section 295(a) of the Indian Penal Code, no one can hurt the religious beliefs of any community, and failure to comply with the law may lead to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fine or both depending upon the seriousness of the issue. Why shouldn't the offenders be punished on the charge of violating the law?

-- Published in the Edit page of The Pioneer on October 10, 2007

A fanatic wrapped with egos

Saswat Panigrahi

In the heat and dust of Uttar Pradesh election, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has racked up the past again. This time he demanded credit for the Gandhi family for India’s freedom, by severing a part of it, and for pushing India to the 21st century. Earlier, he caused a similar furore by claiming that had a Gandhi been in the power he would not have allowed Babri Masjid’s demolition.

Evaluating these remarks it is evident that the young Gandhi is so fanatic about his family’s history that earlier he did not even spare to attack a dead Prime Minister from his own party.

Living in braggadocios he sometime claimed that the Gandhi family was the contractor of the Independence from the British. In order to remain peerless in the freedom movement the family suavely brushed aside the contributions of other great patriots. Instead of saying that Indira Gandhi was instrumental for liberating Bagladesh he claimed a credit for splitting Pakistan. Had he been said that Indira Gandhi was instrumental for liberating Bagladesh, he would have got a scope for his defence. His remark on splitting Pakistan has not only invited a public flak in the country, but also put a question mark on the improving relationship with Pakistan.

Rahul claims, his family built India’s bridge into the 21st century. This implies, Gandhis are instrumental for all major events and timeline through which India has reached at the millennia. And by saying this he has disgraced the testimony of time.

His remarks are a bundle of flaws rapped with a bag of egos. Amid his teasing remarks one thing is loud and clear. The Cambridge-educated M.Phil in Development Economics has a very poor understanding over the politics.

Election is fought with issues. In UP there are a number of contemporary issues affecting common men’s life. But, by bringing these non-issues to the public gallery Rahul Gandhi proves his immaturity in understanding the basic issues. Its an irony that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tells voters of Uttar Pradesh, “Rahul Gandhi is your future. He is sweating it out for you.”

Even more ironical is the fact that, while the Congress cadre sees Rahul's statement as reiteration of a historical reality, party leaders are unable to explain the need for raking up the sensitive past, which could provoke a diplomatic spat with Pakistan.

In the 82nd Congress Plenary session in Hyderabad Rahul managed to hog headlines by hurdling “A leadership cannot be created. It has to be built slowly, brick by brick.”

But how many bricks the son of the Gandhi clan needs to prove himself as a leader. Let’s wait and watch.