[Reader-list] Fw: Re: i was stunned

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear Vedavati jee (and all)

First of all, you should stop being a spokesman for the entire Hindu
community. Who are you to say that Muslims have survived in India because
the majority of people here were Hindus? Don't Muslims survive in America
too? Don't they live in England? Don't they live in other nations, including
China? And how did you draw the conclusion that Muslims have survived
because of a Hindu majority in India?

Secondly, I would strongly urge you or request you to stop looking at issues
from Jewish, Hindu or Muslim point of view. We already had a great president
in George Bush in America to do that and the world has paid a price for it.
Similarly, we have our own Narendra Modi in India, who has been constantly
trying to rupture the foundations of our Indian Republic as enshrined in the
Constitution.

By speaking out against secularism, you are speaking against the very
Constitution of India, and for your own consideration, can be treated as a
'traitor' by the same yardstick of the Constitution. This is also for all
those who constantly attack secularism on this forum. At least you are
nationalistic, you should know this.

Instead of venting out your anger, please give rational/logical arguments
about why secularism is wrong. At least Ashish Nandy had a point when he
said that secularism has increased communal violence in India, for secular
modern development has cut off people from their cultural roots, who then
take refuge in Hindutva and this leads to problems. What do you have as an
argument against secularism?

Please look at issues from a human angle. I accept that Kashmiri Hindus have
a right, and the fate of any self-determined/Indian occupation/Pakistani
occupation of Kashmir must take the views and ideas of all sections of the
Kashmiri society into consideration. And as for the Kashmiri Pandits, to a
certain degree India has failed them. And it was not as if under the right
wing govt in India, they were living a life of paradise either.

Thirdly, on a personal level, I would urge you to at least start trusting
the ability of human beings, and having faith in them, at least till you
have proof to the contrary. If you have suffered a tragedy at the hands of
one Muslim or a few Muslims, it doesn't mean the entire community must be
criticized for the same. And anyways, are not there bad people in the Hindu
community?

Weren't those who raped Muslim women in the post-Godhra riots Hindus?
Weren't those who indulged in violence during that time Hindus? Is violence
acceptable? Do you think rape is the way to solve 'Hindu-Muslim problem'
which is in the minds first and on the roads later? Do you advocate this as
the way to avenge Godhra?

And if they are Hindus, which I hope you would accept, should the entire
Hindu community be criticized? Should we denounce Hinduism? Are all Hindus
then inhuman, as Osama Bin Laden would like the Muslims around the world to
believe?

Please think about this, it's a humble request from me. So also for the
others. Here I am not saying you shouldn't be nationalistic (this I believe
is very difficult to change), but at least for the sake of the nation which
you put before yourself, at least understand the true nature of the problem
instead of looking at it through skewed minds.

Regards

Rakesh