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October 28, 1998
ELECTIONS '98
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Dilip D'Souza
How Readers responded to Dilip D'Souza's recent columns
Date sent: Tue, 06 Oct 1998 18:12:29 -0700
That was a great column. The nationalists have proved that they are as self-seeking as our other political parasites, and more dangerous.
Date sent: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 13:59:09 +0500
Mr D'Souza, Professor Sen getting the award may be creditable. But please for God's sake don't underestimate our intelligence -- one of the preconditions for getting such awards is to "take suitable and appropriate positions" on all issues on the planet (with the Wild West's approval). For all his great "achievement", this man DOES NOT DISPLAY even normal dignified bearing and self-esteem. I wonder if you saw his interview on BBC. The arrogance of the BBC guy would have tested the patience of a Hindu saint, but Prof Sen had decided on GOOD BEHAVIOUR and tolerated it. Sorry, I do not approve of such Indians WHATEVER be their achievement. Sundar Subramanyam
Date sent: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 14:59:48 -0700
Dilip D'Souza has raised some troubling issues about the commitment of the Indian government to the plight of the neglected and under-represented. He should be commended for raising difficult and bothersome questions such as: "If imminent famine and starvation are deservedly embarrassments for Indian governments, why is constant, widespread hunger not?" That is, what exactly is the nature of commitment of the Indian government? Why does not the lack of it not cause enough public outrage? Thankfully, Dilip has taken the task of expressing his outrage. That Dilip has been attacked often by readers for his columns is an indication that he has managed to provoke them. Some have even asked for his ouster because they disagree with his views. Perhaps they didn't notice the irony in feeling free to express their indignation at his expression of indignation. They have a better chance of being taken seriously if they debate the substance of Dilip's columns on facts rather than on stoking emotions. Imagine the content of editorials if each reader was given the chance to veto topics that made their blood boil. Only the most non-controversial and non-provocative stories of the sort that will never change the status quo would have been published. If Dilip is viewed as a gadfly for his columns, it is a label in which he can take pride. J Ganju
Date sent: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 12:19:17 -0500
Hey Dilip, You are one among the many liberals and revolutionaries that are getting mad. Mad about the GoI's ineptitude in solving such basic issues as poverty, hunger and health care. The entire political establishment should be ashamed of itself. Petty issues such as state reorganisations and government dismissals take centrestage whereas humane issues take a back seat. Are we going to be doing just this? How long should we be waiting for a revolution to emerge? Nothing short of that, I believe, would be a solution provider. Personally, I would be aghast when such a situation arises because after a revolution, I may have to get a visa to go to a country called Maharashtra from another country called Tamil Nadu. Revolution will be a disaster for the advocates of 'unity in diversity'. Ramsundar Lakshminarayanan
Date sent: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 12:53:41 PDT
Dear Rediff, I like your site and do visit it at least twice a day. But recently I've been visiting all the India-related sites to read the comments on Prof Amartya Sen. I'd like to congratulate Sen for winning the Noble Prize. I happened to read the article written by Dilip D'Souza. It made a good reading. But what bothers me is that how many politicians out there realise the significance of the factors pointed by Sen in his theory. As he said, the researchers can only point out problems. Beyond that it's up to the ruling government and a sane and matured opposition to implement it. I'm a science graduate and work as a software consultant in New York and though I don't follow much of the economics, as a layman I can make out that these are valuable observations which the government should take advantage of. Since coming to the US, I notice that back home in India we've all the necessary ingredients to make it an advanced nation in all terms; but we are not organised enough and do not have a visionary who can think beyond power and vote-bank. I also notice that D'Souza got considerable criticism for his article on the Times poll. The article seemed OK to me. I believe that journalism should promote the other side of the story too, and present a true picture. But then the journalist should not try to make mileage out of it. There are two ways for a person to become famous and get noticed -- one by doing the good thing and the other by criticising good things. I hope D'Souza does not belong to the second category. Keep up the good work, Rediff. Regards,
Kumar
Date sent: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 22:18:16 -0700 (PDT)
Hey Dilip, Your articles are very sincere, thought provoking and present a true and a clear picture of what's happening back home. All the guys out there who are crying for your blood, and hurling profanities at you, indeed know that what you write is bitter truth, but refuse to accept it. The fact is that right now our country is rapidly being taken over by the religious zealots (of course, I mean the saffron brigade!). Anything or anybody that comes in the path of these power-mongers are either termed "anti-Hindu" or "anti-Indian"!!! May I ask these 'noble' and 'true nationalists' who are the culprits who have set the rot back home? Anything that goes wrong in the country invariably has to be because of the "minorities" when the fact is that 98 pc of all the positions in governance, and in all major decision-making positions belong to the "majority". I am afraid to say that gradually, but slowly, our country is slipping into the Dark Ages. Until and unless we all stand together to fight against these fascist forces, we all stand to lose. The reason I like D'Souza's articles is because he is the only one who has shown exemplary courage to stand up to these 'demi-gods' and 'remote-controls' (who have unashamedly amassed wealth and power, under the guise of religion). Dilip, hats off to you! For all the courageous articles you have penned. I really like your articles because your writing style is so distinctive. More importantly, because you shoot straight from the heart... REDIFF.COM is truly a great site, and the articles by Dilip make it all the more worthwhile to visit. Thank you to all you guys down at REDIFF for letting this valiant soldier of freedom of expression called D'Souza pen his bold articles. A 'pseudo-secularist' from India -- Arshad
Date sent: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 23:03:59 PDT
I would ask all readers to think about this article: whether it is anti-Indian. I think it is the most pro-nationalist write-up that can ever come up. Very few like Sen and Haq can be so bold to touch these issues, which are the root of all evils in the society. This article is truly -- and I mean TRULY -- nationalistic. Not to fascists but nationalists. Thanks, Dilip Chanchal
Date sent: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 16:10:42 -0600
Points to Ponder but often overlooked. This reminds me a story I read in the 4th standard, about Punjab Kesari Ranjit Singh. Once on while hunting, a stone hit him on the head. He started bleeding. The soldiers searched around and brought an emaciated woman to him. The woman with folded hands pleaded with the king that she was starving and along with her child came to the jungle with the hope of fetching some fruits. The stone she threw at the fruit missed it and hit the king instead. After listening to her story the king gave her food and clothes, and ordered the soldiers to find starving all women and children and wipe out starvation. His thought was like this: if the women and children die of hunger what is the future of his kingdom? What is the use of his being king if he can't protect these hapless subjects? There are many people who think of poverty. But how many at the top have experienced it? Thanks to Sen, the issue will get some priority. Now, we have a PM who is considered good by all. I hope his attention would be drawn to the matter. The issue touched me, for I am from a rural village yet to have all weather road and electricity and have starved and semi-starved in my childhood and adolescence. Giridhari
Date sent: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 16:49:46 -0400
Hello, I just read Dilip D'Souza's article. First of all, I must congratulate the author for a very well-written column. I agree with him that our government has been extremely callous in improving the basic healthcare programme on which the article stresses upon. Indeed it's an irony that while the works of Amartya Sen are being recognised worldwide, our government pays absolutely no attention to this cause. D'Souza has pointed out the situation in Orissa. I believe that all over India it is the same scenario. For ages, the media has tried to bring it to public notice through newspaper columns, novels, movies and whatnot. But still no result. D' Souza's article is another reflection of the same old story. My question to the author is: Is there anything else we can do to change the situation? How long can we wait and watch the tamasha? How long should we just keep shouting that they (the "elected" government) are not doing anything? Isn't it time we take a different kind of action to improve the scenario, instead of just putting forward the helpless situation? Well, I am not criticising the author. But I am keen to know his viewpoint about what can be done to improve it, or rather, more important is the question, what can we do, right now? We have to start somewhere, someday. I have been thinking about it for quite a while and my personal feeling is that lack of education is a big factor behind all these evils. That is why I am involved with a voluntary organisation promoting basic education in India. I would like to know what the author thinks about starting a voluntary donation-based healthcare programme. Will that somewhat alleviate the situation? Avijit
Date sent: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 13:39:09 -0500
Come on, give me a break. (I was searching for Varsha's latest and stumbled upon this.) You say: '...frivolities like bombs and temples and you will know precisely why India remains a poor country beset with tangled problems...' Bombs and temples, even if they are frivolities, are recent. They came up as troubles in the last 10 years. The history of the 40 years prior to that is not very conducive to your argument. So, it's highly unfair to blame temples and bombs for India's problems. It just proves your bias toward the majority, the BJP etc all over again. One question, why do you continue to write in this forum??? Judging by the hate mail you generate (I guess only samples are posted here), it's very clear that nobody gives a damn about your viewpoint and everybody hates your temerity to blame all things wrong on your favourite targets.
Date sent: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 22:14:24 -0400
No! Justice is not anti-Hindu. It is in fact the highest ideal of Hinduism. Dilip, I am an ordinary Indian, who has lived in Bombay except for the last two years. I have seen and felt all the effects of the riot, before it and after it. Your constant harping about the Srikrishna report and that the Sena is the organisation at fault is totally baseless. I am not related to any organisations in India, be it Hindu or anti-Hindu. Yet, being a common and ordinary Indian, it is easily visible to me that the entire report has been constructed and in fact compiled with political motivation. First, let me cite an example during the riots. I was staying in one of the suburbs, Khar Road. We had a small Shiv Sena shaka in our area. It is still there. During the riots, there was not even a single instance where there was any type of communal activity in Khar. This area has a significant amount of Muslim population, but the majority is Hindu. During the entire rioting period there was not even one single riot in the entire Khar area which has a lot of Shiv Sainiks, even though there is a masjid on the main road. Why? The Shiv Sainiks in this area are strong organisationally. The majority population is Hindu. As per your logic, there should have been heavy casualties among Muslims. In fact it was because of these Shiv Sainiks that not even a single riot broke out in the area, since the Muslims were afraid of provoking Hindus in such a locality. Wherever there was a Muslim pocket in Bombay, there was communal rioting. Eg:. Mohammed Ali road, Mahim, Masjid etc. Why again? Muslims were instigated to create such riots because of the demolition of the Babri mosque. Wherever, whenever there has been a communal riot it has always happened in Muslim majority areas. The reason is simple. Whenever the Muslims are in majority they feel they can achieve an upper hand over Hindus by creating havoc in the area and by killing "kafirs". You can look at the statistics if you have access to police records in Bombay. Stop giving mom and son examples to prove your point and understand one fact. We are not dealing with household politics here. We are talking about two communities, large communities, which basically represent the public of India. They are not two children. When we talk about people we have to deal with them on basis of democracy and equality. So treat them likewise and do not raise questions of majority-minority rights. Let's get back to our topic again. Hinduism is not equated to the Shiv Sena, period. The Sena may be one of the proponents of Hinduism, but in no way is the Sena responsible for Hinduism. You are flaying a political party to prove that they are not pro-Hindu based on their political performance. Well, here again you are politicising this issue by bringing in political mileage etc into our perspective. Even if your argument is accepted, what are you trying to tell us? That the law and order problem never existed before the BJP-Shiv Sena came into the political arena of Maharashtra? Did the outlaws mushroomed in a few months to such an extent that the law and order situation has gone grim? Come on Dilip, get real and stop shooting in the dark. For years the Muslims are running organised mafia groups in Bombay, for years these very same groups have been creating law and order problem in Bombay. For years and years, and you wake up now to tell us that this has happened in the recent past -- that too because a so-called Hindu political party has gained momentum! Even if you raise the bogey of prices of commodities shooting sky high, it can be dealt with based on sound arguments. First, the prices of commodities are not fixed by the government but by the principles of supply and demand. Even if a government steps in to control the prices and creates an illusionary deflation like the Congress did for several years, it does not help in the long run. In fact, it results in losses, heavy losses, losses of hard-earned money you and me and many others pay to the government in the form of taxes. Then you go on to prove the validity of some alleged discrepancy in the report arguing that these discrepancies are made up to make the Hindus believe that the report is biased against them. Well, first of all this fact does not depend on the discrepancies in the report. It does not take a detective to analyse this report as anti-Hindu, a report which fails to state that it was the Muslims who instigated the riots. Whatever followed was just a chain-reaction. Not even once this has been pointed out in the report. What about the burning of those innocent Hindu family in the chawl, what about organised attacks on Hindus in Muslim majority areas, what about the destruction of property and life throughout Bombay by organised Muslims who were meeting in mosques to arm themselves with illegal weapons? What about all such facts that the report has not cited even once? What about the March 1993 bomb blasts that followed, that killed so many innocent Hindus, which was again executed by an international 'Muslim' mafia group? Don't try to confuse your readers by proving/disproving small discrepancies as the entire synopsis of the report. Don't try to show us green trees while the entire forest is on fire. You constantly blame the Shiv Sena for the 1992 riots. Not even once have you said a thing about the involvement of the so called 'disorganised' Muslims who were on a killing spree during the riots. It is a known and proven fact that an average Hindu does not have the guts as well as the self-respect to guard his dharma against its destroyers. So whichever Hindu organisation does the same or even if it thinks on these lines, people like you will instantly label them as fundamentalists, extremists etc. While at the same time you guys will completely ignore the fundamentalist and extremist activities of the so called "minority" community, which has been going on for centuries. You talk about biases. Your entire article is oozing with biased views, views twisted and turned to present your point. And you have the guts to talk about bias! What kind of fools do you think the readers are? Dilip, not even once have you presented your article based on 100 pc factual data, not even once has it been presented in an unbiased form, not even once has it been free from your personal opinion and your prejudice. No, Dilip, justice seeks itself. You don't need proponents for it. Justice does not lie in the eyes of the beholder, justice is brought by presenting truth, not through concoctions of mishaps. At least you don't talk about justice, a columnist who cannot do justice to his articles is not capable of seeking justice for others. Whichever way you read your article, it represents a phony liberal/pseudo secularist. Your articles are nothing but words brought to life using leftist ideals, using Marxist/communist philosophy. Satyameva Jayate! Jai Hind, Sanjay |
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