Tanhaji - Movie that has the pulse of the nation

I wanted to simply write a movie review on a movie that I was able to catch at a local cinema.  Before I saw the movie, I had already seen the buzz that was building up for the movie.  I wanted all of my family to go see the movie, but I wasn’t able to get them interested in the movie.  The movie is historically based but like any movie based on history or historical character, it has elements that are dramatized for an impact.  The movie’s title is “Tanhaji – the Unsung Warrior”.  Long before the movie was released, the producers of the movie had released a poster announcing the title and star cast for the venture.  Looking at the poster, I was hoping the movie would be very similar to the Amar Chitra Katha Comic book I had read as a child on this great warrior.  The movie is not a live version of the comic book but it highlights many of the same things about a great leader and a great warrior.  The warrior whose stories are retold and are immortalized by many in Maharashtra.  I won’t get into who Tanhaji Malasure was, but the movie rightfully depicted how courageous this leader must have been to inspire people at the time and how he continues to inspire many still. 

Since I saw this movie a week ago, things have happened, events wise, and I wanted to reflect on why the movie has connected with the masses in India and Indians living abroad.  I don’t mean it has connected with the recalcitrant types – those types are brainwashed by certain ideology and are beyond any kind of mental repair.  When the movie came out on January 10^th, 2020, in India, a CAA (Citizen Amendment Act) had already been passed.  CAA, very briefly, is an act that will give dignity that is denied to religious minorities in Islamic nations bordering India.  Who are the religious minorities- they are Hindus, Sikhs, Parsi (Zoroastrians), Jains, Buddhists, and Christians.  In Islamic Nation of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, these people are not allowed a dignity that is granted to other human beings (read Muslims).  I am writing this on MLK’s day in America. I am fully aware that I am living here in dignity due to the Civil rights MLK fought for his fellow African Americans.  African Americans, who suffered slavery and then indignity of second-class citizenship in the country they helped build.  As an immigrant to this great country, I am thankful and always grateful to this nation and to its people – Black, white, and any other kind.  MLK showed people a way to fight for their dignity.  This happened in a nation that, overall, has strong puritan work ethics and with all its flaws is willing to move forward for the betterment of the nation.  To remember MLK’s sacrifice, the African Americans make a march in every city to a state capitol building or city hall.  A way to commemorate their struggle and homage to their leader. I wish Hindus can learn some lessons from the way people who have collectively suffered indignity come together to remind everyone of their struggles.

Getting back to CAA, the act is to grant these persecuted humans (kaffirs) in Islamic nations a refuge in India.  India is not a perfect country and the society in general still has many issues that it needs to resolve and fix.  CAA was a positive act done by the government in power.  Instead of all lauding the effort, the recalcitrant types (Lefties, Islamists, and HINOs) have started protests against it. Now the common thread among these types (recalcitrant) is that they don’t want assertive Hindus for different reasons.  For Islamists,  who are always playing victims even when they are the aggressive ones and intolerant ones, Kaffirs need to be dhimmis.  For Lefties, any other ideology that is not left needs to be wiped out.  So Hindutuva is an ideology that they find as a threat to themselves and their ideas.  Since majority is not so allergic to the term or ideology of Hindutva, the left goes into fit of rage.  You can see this in their use of hindu symbol to associate with hateful ideologies of Nazis.  Lefties have done this in other nations, the lefties believe in violence or any other means to get themselves in power.  Lefties will side with any other subversive idea that can overthrow the majority and hence their bonding with Islamists and Evangelicals.  HINO types, they suffer from inferiority complex and are opportunists to the max.  HINO types have existed in India for ages – Jaichand, Udhaibhan, and Mann Singh and many more examples exist throughout Indian history.

So, what does all this above about CAA has to do with the movie? The movie, in a way, shows the struggle that continue to exist among the people of India and their continue fight to exist with their own ethos and myths.  How the outside influence insists on destroying the culture with help of forces with in.  The movie starts with explaining the resistance that took place under the brutal bigot who was ruling India at the time – Aurangzeb.  Aurangzeb wanted to make India Islamic from north to south.  He was one of the most brutal rulers in India.  In the north, Guru Gobind Singh started Khalsa panth to fight against his brutality. In South, Chhatrapati Shivaji rose to fight for the dignity of many non-Muslims and fought for self-rule.  Tanhaji was one of the most trusted warriors of Chhatrapati Shivaji.  The movie is only couple hour in length.  The story moves fast, the visuals are beautiful, the costumes and set design gets you transported to the era.  I will like to give credit to the producer, the director, and everyone who is involved in making this spectacular piece of cinema.  I also loved the actor who portrayed Chatrapati Shivaji.  For me, the movie had all the elements to keep the story moving and audience interested.  The movie also, in a way a requirement due to continuing appeasement of Muslim sentiment, tried to make some Muslims come across as fair beings.  Not a problem really but that appeasement still didn’t satisfy many Muslims as you can see from the criticism the movie has received from the likes of Kabir Khan, Saif Ali Khan (post release), and others.  Once again, the Muslims have taken offense to what is shown as defiance to Islam's jihad against kaffirs and what is presented on the screen – though historically based.  HINO and Lefties also have called the movie hyper nationalistic and steeped in divisive politics.  Does the movie promote anti Islam bigotry by showing the fight between Marathas and Islamic invader/ruler? The fact is that Islam itself is a divisive ideology that divides humanity into Momins and Kaffirs.  Kaffirs are to be treated worse than human’s treatment of animals.  It is a fact that Islamic rule of India is one of the most brutal rule in the history of this world.  However, the horrors of Islamic terror and its rule in India has been whitewashed by HINO, Lefties, and Islamists themselves.  This movie was unflinching in its portrayal of tyrants (Islamic zealots) and brave Marathas who fought them for their own dignity and self-rule (savrajya – though the term is not just self-rule). 

The criticism of the movie by pseudo liberal professional critics is not based on the merits of the movie itself, but the criticism is what the lefty critics feel is the message this movie is trying to spread – woke Hindus.  The movie has symbolism and overt representation of Hinduism – in songs, imagery, and the colors.  Saffron color is mentioned in dialogue several times – its identification with Indic dharmas is very strong. Implying that Saffron is being suppressed and it needs to be proudly worn to show defiance and resist foreign invaders.  This has been read by the critics mentioned earlier as a call to stand up as untied Hindus against Muslims.  Again, lots of symbolism is in the eyes of beholder.  If the history was taught honestly in India, these types of movies will probably not be made.  The reason the movie has struck a chord with Indian audience is because it is a history they know exist but has been suppressed.  The pent-up demand or yearning for learning the real history has made this super block buster.  This will continue to happen in near future.  The demand is from the silent majority to hear the stories we have heard but never seen them projected in the cinema due to the control of the medium by lefties – that is true with history also.  The narrative of who were were and what were our struggles has long been under the control of leftists and closet Islamist.  Some of them lay exposed now as the majority is tuning more inwards to their myths and their history.  Also, the money earned by this movie also shows that audience exists - an audience that yearns to see the stories of their great heroes to be told on the big screen.  Devgan has made it known that he wants to make several movies on the heroes we might have forgotten.  I hope to see more in future.  This movie, I enjoyed all aspects of the movie.  The visuals were impactful, the writing was crisp, and pace was perfect.  I recommend the movie and welcome other to share their views on the movie.  

P.S: This is off topic but part of the same issue.  Yesterday was January 19^th.  This date is important but alas is not covered as such in India or internationally.  On January 19^th, 1990 (30 years ago) Hindus living in Kashmir valley in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir were forced out of their homes and were forced to leave the valley and move as refugee to other parts of India.  To commemorate this date, in Sacramento, few people along with HAF organized a vigil on the steps of State Capitol.  At the vigil, some of the survivors were asked to tell their personal tragedies as it related to their forced exodus from their birthplace and homes.  As I heard these stories, reminded me of the stories that my grand parents had told me from different era.  They were forced to leave their ancestral land during the 1947 partition of India.  Again, the reason was the same, they happened to be Hindus in Muslim majority area.  The treatment was meted the same to them that was faced by Kashmiri Hindus.  The choices were given to non-Muslims – convert, leave, or be killed.  The reason was the same, yet the reason is never called out -what happened in both cases was Islamic bigotry.  The sad fact is that most of the people in India, who happen to be Muslims, are converts.  Yet they have decided to see their ethnically same brethren as kaffirs.  The religion has taught them to hate their own kind.  I was also saddened to see how many people didn’t show up for the vigil.  These people’s ordeal needs to be highlighted and supported.  At the vigil, there were only 30 people maximum.  I hope that next year, if the vigil is held again, more people show up.  Islam’s followers continue to play victims and yet they never shown an iota of sympathy for the victims of Islamic aggression. There is always an excuse – fringes did that but the religion itself is religion of peace.  Take it from this kaffir, the truth is far different.  I been called a bigot for calling this out.  My stance remains the same – Islam is an ideology that is open to criticism.  I don’t blame the people as much as I blame the ideology.  Can we Kaffirs and Hindus unite and openly expose this hate masquerading as a religion of peace.

Opinions, we all have them but are they our own?

I have been told, on many occasions, by my well-wishers to not get into arguments.  Arguments usually start on a topic.  On a topic, one usually has a position and that position usually is described at times as an opinion.  Normally, one will argue that their position is based on facts and thus their opinion is fair.  These days, I argue, the opinions are hardly our own.  Most of the time we are regurgitating opinions that we have heard and have then adopted them as our own.  Given opinions not necessarily have to be based on any facts.  Facts however should be able to prove true or false.  

There is an interesting article out there that talks about how opinions are formed.  According to the article, some of the opinions are formed due to societal influence, some are formed due to authority of the person one follows, and then there is at the very extreme (this is my add-on) - on one’s own dissection of facts and reality.  To arrive at an opinion, the last type, one has to be able to read different viewpoints, have an inquisitive mind to question everything, and having exhausted these venues arrives at one's conclusion and leads to an opinion.  Perhaps leading to an opinion formed on facts.  I have written about this before, opinions should be supported by facts but facts are sometimes cherry picked and influenced by our perception.  This leads to my other assertion - having your own objective opinion is very difficult in a world that is constantly trying to put people into categories and group.  Also, the world that is so connected.  We all don't have the time to be objective and we all take short cuts.  In the case of opinions, we regurgitate what we have heard somewhere else.  

Even here, one can argue, that your personal bias can strongly influence your opinion.  We tend to look for facts to support our position.  We find those facts that support our opinion and we feel validated to have opinions based on facts.  I always believe I have strong biases and because of those biases, I tend to find article/facts that will support my position. 

So what is the point of arguing over opinions.  I say no point in arguing other than that the argument might challenge some of the opinions one holds.  The argument might entertain you for a while.  The argument might boost your ego if you think you won the argument.  In the end though, getting involved in arguments is a silly exercise.   So can you change people's opinion based on arguments you have with them?  Most likely not and only thing you might change is their opinion of you.  I am ok with getting into arguments because sometimes I feel people just need to be called out for silly statements they make.  Yes it is their opinion and why argue - only for the points mentioned above.  Know this and don't get too emotional.

Sour Grapes

Gujarat election results are going to be coming in soon.  The election by the ELM has been called a possible waterloo for Narendar Modi - current Indian Prime Minister.  Obviously, the ELM in India and MSM outside of India is looking for a serving of humble pie to Modi.  Why?

Before even the election started, the Gandhi Dynasty had launched their major weapon - Rahual Gandhi as party President of the main opposition party - Congress I (Indian National Congress).  I recommend everyone to read up on who formed INC here.  I might be reading too much into the founder's idea of educated Indians representing Indians but the party seem to have been made for brown sahibs.  Educated - meaning mentally slaved to colonial mindset.  The Congress Party is one of the party that has ruled the nation the longest period of time.  Under congress, India has taken some great steps but also has taken some major missteps.  In recent times, I will say lot of the decisions they have taken have been detrimental for the nation.  What I find funny is the party that has ruled the nation for so long has lost its bearing.  The congress party currently doesn't know who to cater to to stay in power - should it cater to ChristoIslamist vote bank or should it cater to Hindutavadis and nationalists. Congress, it seems, has painted itself in a corner.  In its lust for looting the nation for its own party member, it has forgotten how the democracy works.  The party has made deals with a devil on many occasion and now the mood of the nation has turned against it forever (at least forever for next 10 years).  The party has made deals with questionable elements and questionable compounds (parties).  Abdullahs in Kashmir, Bhindrawale/Longwal in Punjab, Communists over all, and christists in other parts of India.  All of these elements/compounds have worked for their own goals while not caring much for the Indian entity as a whole.  Congress, which claims to be a national party, for lust of power has made deal with these types to tear up the national fabric.  On top of this, they have neglected development and progress.  Who has suffered the most, the poor and the middle class.  Who seems to have benefited the most, the corrupt and the connected. 

When they had Modi run for more than 10 years in Gujrat as a CM and has worked hard to make progress in his state, people have taken notice.  The only reason he became a successful candidate is because people noticed the change - a change for more development and better society.  I have to point out that the media, during his being CM and accession to one of the most powerful PM candidate in recent history, was against him.  They had called him a genocidal maniac, maut ka saudagar (death merchant), and most recently a "neech" person.  All this has not been able to damper their target's popularity.  Even with Modi, while being a PM, taking a harsh steps like GST implementation and demonetization for formalize the economy.  The MSM has played its part, as not being objective, to work against Modi.  None of this seems to be working against him.  So the Gujrat state assembly elections came.  The one that has been labeled a possible death knell to Modi's upcoming 2019 elections. Now looking at the popularity at the ground, you would think the MSM would run objective polls.  That hasn't been the case, they have said that Modi will loose heavily.  Read article like this, they have even projected Rahul a winner despite who wins (BJP) in Gujrat.  They have also used the EVM being hacked bogey as a face saving device.  EVM, as has been pointed out, are only hacked if BJP wins.  They are not hacked in places where congress wins (punjab). 

What EVM tampering being raised by Congress shows is that they are not willing to loose.  They still lust for power.  In their lust, they will say and do anything to be in power.  Including, having meetings with Pakistan just before Gujrat election.  Even if those meetings are not around the elections, you have to agree the optics provided by those meetings are awful (and anti nationalist).  All the shenanigans of Congress makes me believe the story about Sour Grapes - they just think no one has heard of it to draw the comparisons with their behavior and that of the fox.  I feel the fox in this case is going to be outfoxed once again by their targets Modi and Shah.

Punjabi Culture

This is my second and perhaps my continuation of earlier topic regarding regionalism, casteism in your face. I am not sure why I have this affinity for being an Indian, American, Nastik Hindu, and sometimes Punjabi. If I were to look back sometimes on how the family has evolved over the generations, I feel some of it might have to do with rootlessness and trying to cling on to some type of identity for myself. I am pretty certain, as an individual, I don't particularly fit into any identity either. I am also aware that from the outside, I fit into other people's perception on what my identity is. When I meet people here in US who are not of Indian decent, I am an Indian with a brown skin and an accent. When I meet Indians here, I am probably someone who is brought up here in US and a confused desi. When I meet Desi from other parts and they want to know where I am from - they are surprised I am Punjabi. I am Punjabi because two generation back from both side of my family, the roots are in Pre-partition Punjab. In my formative years, I grew up in Jalandhar, Punjab and had my grandfather had built a house there. I grew up going to Mandir and Gurdwara on special occasions but if I remember it, I don't really went there to do daily ritual (at either one of those places). Gurudwara, I stopped going around 85 when I was told by an old man at the Gurdwara to scram when I asked for a roomala to cover my head (requirement to go inside the gurdwara). I am pretty certain I have never stepped inside gurdwara since except to attend a friend's wedding. Temple, I go once in a while with my wife and kids. I don't necessarily belong with the temple crowd but over the years I have read on dharmic philosply and I feel some connection and I do look past the rituals. I don't mean to look down on the rituals. I have understood the significance of rituals only over the years. How sometimes ritual gives birth to other peripheral things that lead to creating and holding culture together. I personally don't feel I belong anywhere. I am past the caste issue yet many people I meet who are desis to I am a bania. To punjabis and Sikhs, I am a Hindu and Bania and not necessarily a Punjabi. To Muslims and Christians, I am hell bound heathen.

Now I wonder many times, what I am. To be honest to myself, I am surely an Indian and a product of my dharmic values. But those value of working hard and be ethical, I feel is what is valued more here in US. I have seen that people here are mostly honest. If I were to live in India as a middle class person, I think I will never survive. I am grateful to this country. I feel sad when I see how the people here are getting petty and dishonest at times. I also wonder if this is my perception over the years as I have become older.

Now, how does an outcast sees the culture he was born into, having lived it and the culture he has adopted to some extent? I see Punjabis (Hindus and Sikhs) as the one who believe in flashy displays. Sometimes it is cars, houses, jewelry, and clothes. Sometimes it is parties to show the wealth but mostly it is a display out of insecurities but never out of any kind of genuine need to connect to people they meet. I see Sikhs, especially here, their utter hate for Doos (Hindus). Their leaders will go out of their way to talk about one god and they don't believe in caste system and idol worshiping - again out of insecurities. I get it somehow. Am I a Hindu, I can probably feel secure enough to say that Yes I am. I am proud to be a nastik and yet have a strong respect of the dharma. Even when it is ridiculed by Christians, Muslims, and even Sikhs. I was born into a family that never forced any of the religious things on me -no forceful recitation of prayers, no forced performance of rituals, and yet on my own I have started to accept it only in a sense I don't see the reason to reject it anymore.

I hear Sikh telling everyone how proud they are of being Sikhs. I also hear them telling me how they are not connected to Hindus. I have deep respect for the Gurus and though they all might not have read the vedas ( though I am certain Guru Teg Bhadur and Guru Gobind Singh were well versed and educated in vedas), they were product of dharmic thoughts and none ever preached to be separate from Hindus. I know I will not win this argument with most Sikhs. Again, I don't see Sikhism separate or different from Dharma.

I see Christians talk about salvation and how heathens are hell bound. I find the religion pretty repulsive for what it is. An ideology that is full of superstition yet it claims to have some sort of higher moral ground. I am outsider and I see it for what it is. The reason perhaps to do with me rejecting their faith's need to project me as some subhuman because I don't believe in the bull shit of their faith. Christianity as faith has caused lots of violence around the world over the years and continue to does so.

Muslims, ah, same thing. I am kaffir to them yet I am the one who is Islamophobic. I wonder if the prey should ever be phobic of its predator and if it isn't - well days are numbered. Islam, like Christianity, is expansionist in its creed and exclusivist in its nature - I don't find it worth respecting. Discrimination is bad except when it is pushed by these religions.
Getting back to Punjabi culture. Not sure how to end it. I have read poetry of Shiv Kumar Batlavi in Punjabi and there is so much depth to his poetry even when it is talking about day to day things. His song about a person dying and the aftermath is very sharp observation on superficiality of certain human interactions. Shiv Kumar is highly respected but the truth is that he didn’t achieve the great glory or wealth while he was alive. That alone shows you what Punjabis value. I value him but just like he valued honesty, we are probably anomalies to the current Punjabi cultural norms.

Caste System right in your face - Regionalism right on your plate - nationalism around your place.

How many people know about dinner table etiquette around conversation?  I would think people normally have, over the years, learned certain things not to do at the dinner table.  I would think one of the etiquette is probably to not get into arguments while enjoying food or celebrating some one's birthday.  Ah..but I don't get those artificial constructs.  My policy is to listen but make your point.  Never let a jerk leave proudly in their ignorance.  Ignorance might be a bliss for them but it is misery for others.

I have, over the years, heard that caste-ism doesn't exist in India - at least in modern India.  I, for one, don't practise it.  I know many of my Indian friends in India who don't practise it.  I know Sardars who don't practise it but at the same time, I feel the ignorance around caste system, jati, regionalism, nationalism exist in India and among Indians.  Humans tend to live with many identities.  The live like ven diagrams - some identities exist outside and while other intersects.  For example, I might be male and ethnically Indian but then my nationality will intersect with female, ethnically white but an American.

I have two children and they are both born here in US.  I immigrated to US from India with my parents. I have become naturalized Citizen when I was still in College getting my bachelors.  My wife immigrated to US when she married and she became naturalized US citizen as soon she was eligible.  Since then she has voted in all the elections.  I have probably missed one election.  Being here for most of my life, I do think of my self as an American but to most people here in US (understandable) I am seen as Indian who is an American.  I probably think that is true myself.  However, my kids, I don't want anyone (including their teacher) telling them that they are Indians who are Americans.  They are Americans who happen to have Indian ethnicity and race.  So to Trump, I hope he sees people for there race but still sees them as Americans if they are citizen of this country.  I didn't vote for him but he will be our President for the next four years at least.  I am alright with it.

Now getting to my real point around this blog.  If an Indian approaches me, from India, and asks what am I?  From that question, I usually understand that they are asking me which part of India I am from?  My response is always, I am Punjabi.  I am Punjabi because my grandparents and my mother's and father's grand parents are from Punjab.  More precisely, they are from Pasroor & Sailkot.  Those place are now part of Pakistan.  My paternal grand mother and my maternal grand father grew up in villages next to each others.  I had only heard them to talk to me in Punjabi.  They both didn't know how to write in Gurmukhi because they were from the part of Punjab that later went to Pakistan. They never thought of themselves anything other than Punjabi and belonging to the land where there ancestors lived.  They amazingly were able to stay as a Hindu when many probably converted under the Muslim persecution around Mughal period. I am very proud, as I read history, that many of the people who stayed Hindu even when they were treated as second class citizens.  Sikhs obviously protected the dharmic traditions but I also feel proud of Hindus who didn't convert even with constant pressure, probably, to do so.

The other important part of this personal history, my family has a surname that is probably from the varna - vashiya.  Vashiyas are the trading class - the business class that brought wealth in the society.  They probably didn't create wealth but did provide proper role in the society.  Vashiyas and Banias are used interchangeably and in most place in the north have been used as an insult.  Insult in a sense that you are cheap or you will sell anything for the money.  From my personal experience and knowledge of history, I feel the group is much maligned with out any basis.  For one, like I mentioned previously, vashiyas should have been the one to convert first right?  I see many Muslims with last name Chaudhry, Rana, Bhatt but I have yet to run into a Muslim with last name Mahajan or Gupta.  So seems like they are not to sell themselves and brave enough to not convert.  So if anyone who should be ashamed, it should be the Khatris for not being able to perform their duty.  I don't mean that but if I ever hear a Khatri make a bania joke, they will surely hear from me.  For that matter a brahmin.  I don't tell sardar jokes because I know how much they have contributed to the nation.  They are Sardars (leaders) for a reason.

So why am I talking about this?  At the dinner conversation a friend jokingly said that Guptas are not truly Punjabis.  I have known him for a while and I know that he was just teasing. It was annoying a bit but it was kind of like..a joke that I would have probably let go.  But then I heard, from another person at the table, I have never heard of Punjabi Guptas.  That was annoying to me the most.  I barely know this person.  I am not sure if she is saying this as a joke or just being a jerk.  I felt with her body language that it was not a joke.  She interested herself in a conversation that a normal person would have stayed out of  I couldn't let it go.  I am sure the reason my grand parents had to move to the Indian side of the Punjab was someone telling them they don't belong.  It is like my kids hearing at school that they are not Americans but Indians.  Those things will annoy me because no one can tell me what I am.  Or how I or my kid should identify themselves.  We carry many identities because humans like to be in groups.  They try to belong to many groups and some like to stay in limited group.  I like to, if I can, belong in many groups.   I also don't go around telling people they are not christian, Sikhs, Californians, American, European or anything else.  I don't even tell Pakistani anymore that ethnically they are the same as Indians.  They have chosen their identity.  Their identity might be a state of mind and who am I to tell them they are something other than the true believer - for them I am a Kuffar.  But what I will never let anyone tell me is, where I belong.  I belong where I am.  My kids belong where they are.  We immigrated legally.  I talk to many people here in US.  The whites, who are labeled racist many times, are not the only one who act bigotted against another group.  This groupism exist in every race and every ethnicity.  But I can truly say that though I do run into my share of bigots that happen to be white, I also run into bigots who happen to be non-white.  The world is like that.  I am, I will say, bigot against a bigoted religion that teaches to divide humanity into believers and non-believers.  I feel we all see ourselves belonging to a group.  I am not sure why someone telling me which group I belong or don't belong to irritated me the most.  I think the idea someone challenging you where you belong or what your identity is what annoyed me.

To the person who called Guptas are not truly Punjabi - are you proud of your ignorance. You are the type who probably calls Trump a clown and a bigot but then feel your ignorance is justified.  Like the frog in the well who believes he has seen the world because his world is just that well.  To this jerk..you are the one who disgusts me.  If you are a "just" Punjabi - I will rather see you as a moron who happens to be a Punjabi.

Indians lack unity and that is not because of the diversity

On September 18^th, 2016, Pakistani backed Jihadis crossed Indian-Pakistan border to cause mayhem on Indian side of Kashmir.  Their target was not civilians this time but the target was Indian Army in their barracks – brazen act.  I will say act is almost a call of war – war that Pakistan is trying to impose. 

Pakistan was created around the same time India got its independence from the British.  British are seen as heroes in the west for being on the right side during the world war II.  I won’t digress but the wealth that Britain has stolen from India and the deaths it has caused in India should be seen as crime against humanity.  The British had a poll done recently and the majority of the British don't see themselves as villains and most likely carry no guilty consciousness.  The British are proud of their contribution to the world – including their retarded language that I also speak and write in.  Getting back to Pakistan, Pakistan is also a creation from the mind of the civilized British savages but it couldn't happen without having a seed of the need for separate land of the pure in the holy book of Islam –Korn-wait Koran.  Dar Al Islam. 

Koran is very clear on its objective.  Islam itself is submission to will of Allah – at least that is what I hear.  Islam is a religion created by Muhammed – a warmonger.  One of the main duty of a muslim is to wage Jihad.  Jihad is a holy war on Kaffirs.  Kaffirs are described in Koran as non-believers.  Most of these Pakistanis (present day) were kaffirs at one time but are now the rabid faithful.  The duty of these jihadis born and bred in Pakistan is to wage war on the kaffirs next door. 

What should be India’s response to these rabid believers?  Should they respond to the blood thirsty, heaven bound, religious nuts with actual war?  Yes, it is a duty of the ruling class to protect its citizens.  It is also the duty of the ruling class to be war capable.  What about Pakistan’s nuclear capability?  Shouldn’t India be afraid?  If India doesn’t want a conventional war with Pakistan, then figure out a covert war that can be fought on their land. 

Now what should be citizen’s response?  Citizen of India, what can they do to fight these Pakistani forced war on India.  I find it amazing that Indians are not only callous to the plight of their fellow Indians, when it comes to having a unified response to Pakistani they can’t even agree if they are at war with Pakistan.  When someone asks me to go a business that is Pakistani owned, my response is generally no thanks.  The reason is not that I am a racist bigot.  Pakistani, after all, ethnically are same as Indians.  The reason is that I don’t want my money, even a dime, going toward some Jihadi mission.  Not to mention, the Pakistanis of Muslim background truly hate Kaffirs.  As I am part of the group labeled as Kaffir, I feel no obligation to play above the bigotry of tribalism.  I feel nothing for Pakistanis.  I feel for individuals I meet but not for the tribe that sees me as subhuman because I don’t believe in Koran and my ancestors somehow got away from getting forcefully converted. 

So what should be Indian citizen’s response ?  It will be too much to ask India’s pretend secular of Bollywood to stop getting Pakistani artists to perform in Indian movies when this jihadi war is in full swing, because they believe only petty people will ask them to stop bringing Pakistani artists over to India.  Does India have shortage of people to act in movies?  Is Pakistan producing artist in the caliber of Iran? No to both of those questions.  The only reason the Bollywood is bringing Pakistani artists to India is because they see Pakistan as a market to exploit for monetary gains.  Pakistani will accept their believers in the Urdu movies produced in Bollywood but they will most likely have allergic reaction to Kaffir Hindu being a lead.  Most of the Khans – the pint khans are popular in Pakistan.  Pakistanis see these Khans as their own.  These Khans also return the favor by defending the people of Pakistan and its artist after every demand by nuts on India side for banning of Pakistani artist after every terrorist attack sponsored by Pakistanis. 

Least Indians can do is boycott the movies that has Pakistani artists.  Avoid Pakistani businesses.  And demand that Indian government take some action against Pakistan.  The Indians who can’t do this are basically just selfish assholes because their taste buds are above their love for the nation.  No sacrifice will be made by them.  My response to those Indians (meat eating humanist) – start reading history books and just be aware of your status among the believers.  Tweet

Social Consciousness - lack of it

Do Indians lack Social consciousness – when it comes to cleanliness, charity, animal welfare, and treatment of fellow humans?

Recently, I came across an article that was posted by my dad about India’s drive to get toilets for its citizens who don’t have the access to one (link to the article). I also suggest reading the comments left by the readers of this article. Why I want to delve on this topic? I find the tone of the article not so offensive because overall the article is saying that toilets are put in operation but still lots of work that needs to be done. I don't want to digress too much, but lately (since Modi has become PM) lots of negative articles about India have appeared in US media. Only place where positive articles appear about India on US media seems to be on the Business weeklies, web, and newspapers. I might not believe in conspiracies in general but I do believe this has to do mostly with a Nationalist and economic reformer is at the helm in India. And the PM taking pride in him Hindu and Kaffir is also annoying. Here is the link to someone's analysis of New York Times reporting on India (the tilt). My argument is that Indians don't lack social consciousness as a group but do lack an infrastructure that should have been provided by a responsible government. Why just blame people? Do we support Republicans here is US when they say that poor are poor because of themselves? Most of us don't because we know things are more complex. Then why blame Indians for things that we don't face here because being a wealthy nation but expect them to do better when the support and infrastructure is lacking?

Like I mentioned, I didn't find the article out right offensive. I agree with article's author that more work needs to be done and also appreciate author's reporting on how people feel about cleanliness drive initiated by the Prime Minster. There are some general mocking, as it has come to be expected from the media, on anything India related. My reason to delve into India is lack of social consciousness is because the comments posting on the topic by my relatives. They have said that individuals, if they take responsibility, the mess wouldn't be there. Many Amens later and one crude joke later, the conclusion drawn from all the commenting is that India is in this situation because of Indians lack social consciousness and perhaps even civic responsibility.

I wonder how much of this is accurate. Is this accurate in present state or is this the truth about Indians in general. Because if this is true in general then I say Churchill (hero in the west) is right about Indians when he said "I hate Indians. They are a beastly people with a beastly religion." When a non-Indian make that statement, most likely he will be labeled a racist or a bigot but when an Indian says that about Indians something similar to this - to me that is mostly self flagellation and some-what laying the blame at the wrong place. Criticism is healthy but self flagellation serves no purpose. Most of the problems faced by Indians today in India has to do with mismanagement of resources and lack of leadership.

Mismanagement of resources by misrule of a dynastic party. Corruption, a sad fact that is part of everyday Indian living is not caused by the people on themselves but by the people in power. Living in India is not easy compare to where we live now in the "first" world. People in India have many struggles on daily basis but their basic necessities are similar to people in the first world. In first world, people have access to clean water (on most parts), public toilets, garbage pickups, and good sewage system. All mentioned previously is an infrastructure set up so that people can meet the basic needs to live filth free. Did Indian govt. try to or continually try to provide this to its growing population. Maybe they did but have been total failure. My argument is that Indians are in the situation where filth is everywhere because of total breakdown in the responsibilities of those in power - due to corruption. England and the British themselves lived in filth for a long time until the wealth transfer occurred. They looted the wealth from India mainly and were able to create infrastructure needed for its citizenry. Churchill and many of those with White Man burden complex didn't see anything wrong with what they were doing but did blame all the misery they created on the colonized population as their own fault. Even today, the British have hard time coming to terms on what they have done. They come up with excuses and the Indians who have migrated to England sometimes come up with excuses for them. Here is in an example. I guess British are not into Self Flagellating. When someone is raped, the worst thing to say to the victim is that they called it upon themselves to be raped for dressing provocatively or by being out late at night. India is raped by many and now it is not ok to call the situation they are in and say it is because they lack social consciousness. Indians want cleanliness like any other nation.

As far as cruelty to animals. India has lived with animals better than the people in the west. Meat consumption on daily basis supported by Animal farming is totally west's gift to humanity. In the process it is destroying the environment for the whole world. Following of that by Indians is mark of two things - inferiority complex and aping west. For that, social consciousness that Indians had for the animal is being taken away piece by piece by self flagellating Indians and outsiders with their disdain of anything grounded in dharmic traditions. Again goes back to inferiority complex. I am ok with people eating meat but to assume you are civilized because you can consume a flesh of animals is really stupid. I recommend "cowspiracy" on Netflix.

I want to go back to what is said about Indians lacking social consciousness. I disagree. I think leadership is lacking since independence; a leadership that got retarded by a dynasty. Modi has been at the helm for less than two years and according to Media in India and West, he should have fixed all the problems by now. The problems have been compounded over sixty years under misrule. India in the past had social consciousness when it believed and promoted the concept of peaceful co-existence not with other humans but with animals and nature. They had social consciousness when they produced Gurus in Punjab and Maratha warriors in the Deccan - they rose against tyrant. They had social consciousness when they fought for their independence from the British with non-violent movement. They also had leaders to lead. What India has lacked since Independence is great leadership. Modi might not be the guy either but he is trying more than some of the others who have held the office. Worst thing about this whole debate, we are not the solution to what is going on in India. We are just feel comfortable saying negative things about Indians because it is accepted in the west and while we live in the comfort of the west. Churchill's racist views are acceptable to Indians living here is only because the education in India has produced Macaluy Putras. They are comfortable in defecating on their own and then they expect Indians to be at higher standard. Maybe, I change my mind, it is right that Indians are the least socially conscious people on the planet. The sooner they perish sooner we can become what the white man wanted - civilized. Tweet