[Reader-list] Statement by Arundhati Roy on the Attack on her Residence
Rajkamal Goswami
rajkamalgoswami at gmail.com
Mon Nov 1 17:25:42 IST 2010
Dear Inder,
Please refrain.
regards
Rajkamal
On 11/1/10, Inder Salim <indersalim at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Samit and you like on the list
>
> please hide ur heads in shame.
> and imagine if your sister was attacked by goons like that
>
> and it is too disgusting to demand evidence from the person who is too
> shaken.
>
> we have Media who know how to isolate an individual and push their
> viewership round the clock. They are running out of subjects. For them
> there should a be case of canibalism and rape every hour, and if not
> they may actually produce such acts, like Army did once in Sicachen.
> Shame.
>
> I wonder if these goons dare to throw a stone at tainted CM of
> Maharashtra, because our dear respected Generals are thickly
> involved.
>
> OUr Media has done it to Hussain who is living in exile, that too when
> Courts exonerated him for any obscenity charge . That is why Ashis
> Nandy said " censorship has a great future in India"
>
> And those who support it now, dont ralize that when and how and whom
> this monster devours without remorse
>
> let us wake up
>
> love
> is
>
>
> SOMETHING FOR THE MEDIA TO THINK ABOUT
>
> A mob of about a hundred people arrived at my house at 11 this morning
> (Sunday
> October 31st 2010.) They broke through the gate and vandalized property.
> They
> shouted slogans against me for my views on K...ashmir, and threatened to
> teach
> me a lesson. The OB Vans of NDTV, Times Now and News 24 were already in
> place
> ostensibly to cover the event live. TV reports say that the mob consisted
> largely of members of the BJP’s Mahila Morcha (Women’s wing). After they
> left, the police advised us to let them know if in future we saw any OB vans
> hanging around the neighborhood because they said that was an indication
> that a
> mob was on its way. In June this year, after a false report in the papers by
> Press Trust of India (PTI) two men on motorcycles tried to stone the windows
> of
> my home. They too were accompanied by TV cameramen.
>
> What is the nature of the agreement between these sections of the media and
> mobs and criminals in search of spectacle? Does the media which positions
> itself at the ‘scene’ in advance have a guarantee that the attacks and
> demonstrations will be non-violent? What happens if there is criminal
> trespass
> (as there was today) or even something worse? Does the media then become
> accessory to the crime? This question is important, given that some TV
> channels
> and newspapers are in the process of brazenly inciting mob anger against me.
> In
> the race for sensationalism the line between reporting news and
> manufacturing
> news is becoming blurred. So what if a few people have to be sacrificed at
> the
> altar of TRP ratings? The Government has indicated that it does not intend
> to
> go ahead with the charges of sedition against me and the other speakers at a
> recent seminar on Azadi for Kashmir.
>
> So the task of punishing me for my views seems to have been taken on by
> right
> wing storm troopers. The Bajrang Dal and the RSS have openly announced that
> they are going to “fix” me with all the means at their disposal including
> filing cases against me all over the country. The whole country has seen
> what
> they are capable of doing, the extent to which they are capable of going.
> So,
> while the Government is showing a degree of maturity, are sections of the
> media
> and the infrastructure of democracy being rented out to those who believe in
> mob
> justice? I can understand that the BJP's Mahila Morcha is using me to
> distract
> attention the from the senior RSS activist Indresh Kumar who has recently
> been
> named in the CBI charge-sheet for the bomb blast in Ajmer Sharif in which
> several people were killed and many injured. But why are sections of the
> mainstream media doing the same? Is a writer with unpopular views more
> dangerous than a suspect in a bomb blast? Or is it a question of ideological
> alignment?
>
> Arundhati Roy
> October 31st 2010
>
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 4:44 PM, Rajkamal Goswami
> <rajkamalgoswami at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Dear Samvit,
>>
>> I seriously didn't mean it as a curse. I really apologize if I
>> conveyed that idea. And also I am sorry to know all that yo and your
>> family went through. What I really wished to say is that if We, as a
>> society, allow such things to perpetuate, it won't be long before we
>> too start facing the music. For eg: I am working on my PhD now which
>> deals with the issue of hunting of primates. If tomorrow I say that
>> primate meat forms an important diet of many people of India, does it
>> legitimize any violent protest by Hindu fundamentalist citing that
>> Hindus worship monkey? Should I or you allow people to get away with
>> such acts? Tomorrow, some mobs might attack me or Sonia or Anupam over
>> some idea that we discussed on this forum. Once it happens, there
>> won't be an end to it. Who else, better than you, who has suffered
>> first hand can understand the pain and humiliation that comes along
>> with it.
>>
>> Me and my family (in Assam) too have faced similar humiliation from
>> armed forces during the peak emergency in Assam. And that is the very
>> reason why I condemn any such acts which tatters the dignity of an
>> individual.
>>
>> Once again sorry for hurting you (unknowingly) through my mail.
>>
>> Regards
>> Rajkamal
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/1/10, Samvit <samvitr at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Dear Rajkamal,
>>> You are too late. The mobs came long ago and did that. Infant they were
>>> all
>>> people I knew, grew up with and went to school. Many of them belong to
>>> the
>>> podium that Roy shared with. I am not sure about Shuddha, though.
>>>
>>> And unlike Ms Roy they did not do with one flower pot. They looted two
>>> houses and vandalized all the property. Whatever my father and
>>> grandfather
>>> had saved was looted by Islamic fundamentalists. They were all well read.
>>> After looting the houses they burnt them to embers.
>>> So my dear Rajkamal, your curse has come in late. But unlike most people
>>> I
>>> did not indulge in hating muslims. Today most of my friends are muslims
>>> and
>>> I have great regard for the community.
>>> The issue is that Roy, Navlakha and his cronies survive only on spreading
>>> canard, hate and indulge in dividing people on all lines. Because if they
>>> don't then how will they run their shops, theirs NGOs.
>>> -SR
>>>
>>> On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 4:04 PM, Rajkamal Goswami
>>> <rajkamalgoswami at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dear Samvit,
>>>>
>>>> I would say nothing but wait for that day when some protesters would
>>>> come and do a violent dharna infront of your residence and break and
>>>> damage your personal property. I am sure you would embrace them and
>>>> thank them for exercising their right of expression.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks and regards
>>>> Rajkamal
>>>>
>>>> On 11/1/10, anupam chakravartty <c.anupam at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> > "What is the nature of the agreement between these sections of the
>>>> > media
>>>> and
>>>> > mobs and criminals in search of spectacle? Does the media which
>>>> > positions
>>>> > itself at the ‘scene’ in advance have a guarantee that the attacks and
>>>> > demonstrations will be non-violent? What happens if there is criminal
>>>> > trespass (as there was today) or even something worse? Does the media
>>>> then
>>>> > become accessory to the crime?"
>>>> >
>>>> > http://www.countermedia.in/?p=298
>>>> >
>>>> > On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 1:46 PM, anupam chakravartty
>>>> > <c.anupam at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> >> How have we understood freedom of expression Mr Kaul? With an eye for
>>>> >> an
>>>> >> eye? how is it expression then? what have you expressed? you just
>>>> reacted
>>>> >> with a statement: "FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, you see, for the ladies who
>>>> were
>>>> >> protesting. Lets support them together."
>>>> >>
>>>> >> All the best
>>>> >> Anupam
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >> On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 1:32 PM, Aditya Raj Kaul
>>>> >> <kauladityaraj at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>> >>
>>>> >>> I would condemn this so called 'attack' once I see the pictures.
>>>> >>> Strangely,
>>>> >>> even the Police couldn't see anything. Merely stationing of OB Vans
>>>> >>> doesn't
>>>> >>> mean an attack is about to take place.
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> Let Krishenji with Arundhati provide some pictures of 'hooliganism'
>>>> >>> for
>>>> >>> the
>>>> >>> world to see rather than press statements for publicity sake.
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, you see, for the ladies who were protesting.
>>>> Lets
>>>> >>> support them together.
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 11:08 AM, Samvit <samvitr at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>> > Dear Sonia,
>>>> >>> > I think what Rashneek's wrote answers your question. Roy uses
>>>> democracy
>>>> >>> to
>>>> >>> > tarnish democracy. She and her cronies bend on their knees when
>>>> >>> > they
>>>> >>> > are
>>>> >>> in
>>>> >>> > the Valley. You should have seen how Gautam was sitting like a
>>>> >>> frightened
>>>> >>> > pigeon before he went on to speak at the Saddar Court complex. He
>>>> >>> > apologized
>>>> >>> > for his facebook remarks, took his statement back and only then
>>>> >>> > could
>>>> >>> one
>>>> >>> > see him breathing easy. He knew the rules of the Valley, they are
>>>> >>> similar
>>>> >>> > to
>>>> >>> > the ones that Roy follows. It would have been almost impossible
>>>> >>> > for
>>>> >>> Gautam
>>>> >>> > to step his foot in Kashmir if he did not go with the flow. After
>>>> that
>>>> >>> > statement, the goshtabas flowed. Talk about Goshtaba diplomacy!!
>>>> >>> > Sonia, you must have heard Roy calling India a "bhookha, nanga
>>>> desh!!".
>>>> >>> > Perhaps, this could also be used for her- "ek ghoshtabe ke bhooke
>>>> >>> > aur
>>>> >>> > ad-nangee Roy!" but then the "hooligan right wingers" seem to be
>>>> >>> > more
>>>> >>> > cultured than the "ghoshtaba eating "so called "leftists/maoists".
>>>> >>> > -Sam
>>>> >>> >
>>>> >>> >
>>>> >>> > On Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 10:13 AM, SJabbar <sonia.jabbar at gmail.com>
>>>> >>> wrote:
>>>> >>> >
>>>> >>> > > Dear Samvit,
>>>> >>> > > You need to distinguish between the right to expression or free
>>>> >>> > > speech
>>>> >>> > and
>>>> >>> > > the right to indulge in violence or to incite violence. The
>>>> >>> > > first
>>>> is
>>>> >>> > > enshrined in our constitution, the second punishable by law. To
>>>> call
>>>> >>> > > Arundhati Roy a thug and to equate her political views with
>>>> >>> > > those
>>>> who
>>>> >>> can
>>>> >>> > > only counter her political views with physical violence is a
>>>> >>> > > travesty.
>>>> >>> > > You cannot wish someone "good health and safety" while cheering
>>>> >>> > > on
>>>> >>> people
>>>> >>> > > bent on tearing down her house and doing her injury.
>>>> >>> > > sj
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > > On 01/11/10 9:15 AM, "Samvit" <samvitr at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > > > A classic example of *pot calling the kettle black*. How
>>>> >>> conveniently
>>>> >>> > > > you
>>>> >>> > > abuse and slot others. If someone is attacking Roy's house I
>>>> >>> > > think
>>>> it
>>>> >>> > > > is
>>>> >>> > > their way of expression. Roy doesn't hold a monopoly on "right
>>>> >>> > > > to
>>>> >>> > > expression" and neither does she decide where to draw the line.
>>>> >>> > > She
>>>> >>> > > > should
>>>> >>> > > be knowing all this very well since she keeps company of known
>>>> >>> > > > terrorists of
>>>> >>> > > the ilk that were seen in Delhi with her. Why do you feel so
>>>> >>> > > > meek now that
>>>> >>> > > you have to be sladerous?? using words like.....hooligans,
>>>> >>> > > > obsene....
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > > Although I wish her good health and safety so that she can
>>>> >>> > > > continue
>>>> >>> > > gallavanting from place to place, topic to topic but then there
>>>> >>> > > are
>>>> >>> > > > millions
>>>> >>> > > out there who get inspired by her and want to teach her some
>>>> >>> > > > "expression".
>>>> >>> > > Thugs like her understand the language of thugs, perhaps.
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > > On
>>>> >>> > > > Sun, Oct 31, 2010 at 10:31 PM, shuddha at sarai.net <
>>>> shuddha at sarai.net
>>>> >>> > > >wrote:
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > Dear all,
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > the disgusting and obscene attacks on Arundhati Roy in
>>>> >>> > > > sections
>>>> >>> > > > of the
>>>> >>> > > > media
>>>> >>> > > > and even, unfortunately on a forum like this one by right
>>>> >>> > > > wing hooligans
>>>> >>> > > > (including some on this list) is now being complemented by
>>>> >>> > > > attacks and
>>>> >>> > > > vandalism at her residence, in the full glare of the media. It
>>>> >>> > > > is not Ms.
>>>> >>> > > > Roy
>>>> >>> > > > who seeks out media coverage, it is the thugs who attack
>>>> >>> > > > her who
>>>> >>> > > > pre-arrange to
>>>> >>> > > > have television OB vans in place while they attempt
>>>> >>> > > > to ransack her
>>>> >>> > > > residence.
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > Those interested may read the statement below
>>>> >>> > > > by Arundhati Roy in response
>>>> >>> > > > to
>>>> >>> > > > the most recent attack,
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > best,
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > Shuddha
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > SOMETHING FOR THE MEDIA TO THINK ABOUT
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > A mob of about a hundred people
>>>> >>> > > > arrived at my house at 11 this morning
>>>> >>> > > > (Sunday
>>>> >>> > > > October 31st 2010.) They
>>>> >>> > > > broke through the gate and vandalized property.
>>>> >>> > > > They
>>>> >>> > > > shouted slogans
>>>> >>> > > > against me for my views on K...ashmir, and threatened to
>>>> >>> > > > teach
>>>> >>> > > > me a
>>>> >>> > > > lesson. The OB Vans of NDTV, Times Now and News 24 were
>>>> >>> > > > already
>>>> in
>>>> >>> > > > place
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > ostensibly to cover the event live. TV reports say that the
>>>> >>> > > > mob
>>>> >>> > > consisted>
>>>> >>> > > > largely of members of the BJP¹s Mahila Morcha (Women¹s wing).
>>>> After
>>>> >>> > they
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > left, the police advised us to let them know if in future we
>>>> >>> > > > saw
>>>> >>> > > > any
>>>> >>> OB
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > vans
>>>> >>> > > > hanging around the neighborhood because they said that was an
>>>> >>> > > > indication
>>>> >>> > > > that a
>>>> >>> > > > mob was on its way. In June this year, after a false
>>>> >>> > > > report in the papers
>>>> >>> > > > by
>>>> >>> > > > Press Trust of India (PTI) two men on motorcycles
>>>> >>> > > > tried to stone the
>>>> >>> > > > windows of
>>>> >>> > > > my home. They too were accompanied by TV
>>>> >>> > > > cameramen.
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > What is the nature of the agreement between these sections of
>>>> >>> > > > the media and
>>>> >>> > > > mobs and criminals in search of spectacle? Does the media
>>>> >>> > > > which positions
>>>> >>> > > > itself at the Œscene¹ in advance have a guarantee that the
>>>> >>> > > > attacks and
>>>> >>> > > > demonstrations will be non-violent? What happens if there is
>>>> >>> > > > criminal
>>>> >>> > > > trespass
>>>> >>> > > > (as there was today) or even something worse? Does the
>>>> >>> > > > media then become
>>>> >>> > > > accessory to the crime? This question is important, given
>>>> >>> > > > that some TV
>>>> >>> > > > channels
>>>> >>> > > > and newspapers are in the process of brazenly
>>>> >>> > > > inciting mob anger against
>>>> >>> > > > me. In
>>>> >>> > > > the race for sensationalism the line
>>>> >>> > > > between reporting news and
>>>> >>> > > > manufacturing
>>>> >>> > > > news is becoming blurred. So what
>>>> >>> > > > if a few people have to be sacrificed at
>>>> >>> > > > the
>>>> >>> > > > altar of TRP ratings? The
>>>> >>> > > > Government has indicated that it does not intend
>>>> >>> > > > to
>>>> >>> > > > go ahead with the
>>>> >>> > > > charges of sedition against me and the other speakers at
>>>> >>> > > > a
>>>> >>> > > > recent seminar
>>>> >>> > > > on Azadi for Kashmir.
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > So the task of punishing me for my views seems to
>>>> >>> > > > have been taken on by
>>>> >>> > > > right
>>>> >>> > > > wing storm troopers. The Bajrang Dal and the
>>>> >>> > > > RSS have openly announced that
>>>> >>> > > > they are going to ³fix² me with all the means
>>>> >>> > > > at their disposal including
>>>> >>> > > > filing cases against me all over the country.
>>>> >>> > > > The whole country has seen
>>>> >>> > > > what
>>>> >>> > > > they are capable of doing, the extent to
>>>> >>> > > > which they are capable of going.
>>>> >>> > > > So,
>>>> >>> > > > while the Government is showing a
>>>> >>> > > > degree of maturity, are sections of the
>>>> >>> > > > media
>>>> >>> > > > and the infrastructure of
>>>> >>> > > > democracy being rented out to those who believe
>>>> >>> > > > in mob
>>>> >>> > > > justice? I can
>>>> >>> > > > understand that the BJP's Mahila Morcha is using me to
>>>> >>> > > > distract
>>>> >>> > > > attention
>>>> >>> > > > the from the senior RSS activist Indresh Kumar who has
>>>> >>> > > > recently
>>>> >>> > > > been
>>>> >>> > > > named
>>>> >>> > > > in the CBI charge-sheet for the bomb blast in Ajmer Sharif in
>>>> which
>>>> >>> > > > several
>>>> >>> > > > people were killed and many injured. But why are sections of
>>>> >>> > > > the
>>>> >>> > > > mainstream
>>>> >>> > > > media doing the same? Is a writer with unpopular views more
>>>> >>> > > > dangerous than a
>>>> >>> > > > suspect in a bomb blast? Or is it a question of
>>>> >>> > > > ideological
>>>> >>> > > > alignment?
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > Arundhati Roy
>>>> >>> > > > October 31st 2010
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > >
>>>> >>> > > > _________________________________________
>>>> >>> > > > reader-list: an open discussion
>>>> >>> > > > list on media and the city.
>>>> >>> > > > Critiques & Collaborations
>>>> >>> > > > To subscribe: send
>>>> >>> > > > an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
>>>> >>> > > > subscribe in the subject
>>>> >>> > > > header.
>>>> >>> > > > To unsubscribe:
>>>> >>> > > > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
>>>> >>> > > > List archive:
>>>> >>> > > > <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > > --
>>>> >>> > > Samvit
>>>> >>> > > > Rawal
>>>> >>> > > 9422037853
>>>> >>> > > -----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> >>> > > T
>>>> >>> > > > o err is human; to forgive, infrequent.
>>>> >>> > > - Franklin P.
>>>> >>> > > > Adams
>>>> >>> > > _________________________________________
>>>> >>> > > reader-list: an open
>>>> >>> > > > discussion list on media and the city.
>>>> >>> > > Critiques & Collaborations
>>>> >>> > > To
>>>> >>> > > > subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
>>>> >>> > subscribe
>>>> >>> > > in
>>>> >>> > > > the subject header.
>>>> >>> > > To unsubscribe:
>>>> >>> > > > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
>>>> >>> > > List archive:
>>>> >>> > > > <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> > >
>>>> >>> >
>>>> >>> >
>>>> >>> > --
>>>> >>> > Samvit Rawal
>>>> >>> > 9422037853
>>>> >>> > -----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> >>> > To err is human; to forgive, infrequent.
>>>> >>> > - Franklin P. Adams
>>>> >>> > _________________________________________
>>>> >>> > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
>>>> >>> > Critiques & Collaborations
>>>> >>> > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
>>>> >>> > subscribe in the subject header.
>>>> >>> > To unsubscribe:
>>>> >>> > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
>>>> >>> > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
>>>> >>> >
>>>> >>> _________________________________________
>>>> >>> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
>>>> >>> Critiques & Collaborations
>>>> >>> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
>>>> >>> subscribe in the subject header.
>>>> >>> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
>>>> >>> List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
>>>> >>>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> > _________________________________________
>>>> > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
>>>> > Critiques & Collaborations
>>>> > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
>>>> subscribe
>>>> > in the subject header.
>>>> > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
>>>> > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Rajkamal
>>>> _________________________________________
>>>> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
>>>> Critiques & Collaborations
>>>> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
>>>> subscribe in the subject header.
>>>> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
>>>> List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Rajkamal
>> _________________________________________
>> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
>> Critiques & Collaborations
>> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with
>> subscribe in the subject header.
>> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list
>> List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/>
>
>
>
> --
>
> http://indersalim.livejournal.com
> _________________________________________
> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city.
> Critiques & Collaborations
> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe
> in the subject header.
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--
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