Ram's Cafe

Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Arun Gandhi, is to kick off an unarmed Palestinian movement against Israeli occupation which is being launched by a group of social and political activists in Ramallah. This was a news item in the Indian Express newspaper. The news was interesting, and I, for one, am all for any effort that would bring an end to the bloodshed first, and, hopefully, a lasting peace... This can only come about if the parties involved decide to forgive and move on. It's a pity that no one even talks about forgiving in the land where Jesus Christ lived and preached his message of love - this must be the biggest irony of all times! And now, some folks are attempting the Gandhian way...And Gandhi, by the way, though born as a Hindu, and lived as a Hindu (adopting the best from the religion), was also well-versed with the teachings of Jesus Christ and, if I remember correctly, had also read the Koran. (To all the Christian fanatics - let me tell you - Gandhi was a much better Christian than all of you - because he lived, and died, for the cause of peace and harmony). While this news item was a welcome piece to read on a Friday, what got my attention was the readers' comments that followed the story. My goodness, I'm not sure what proportion of the Indian population these guys represent (I mean those who read and leave comments on the Indian Express online), but having followed these comments during the last three years, I know for sure that there is a growing number of folks who not only are hardliners, but who view anything and everything through a religious and nationalistic prism. (Check out this other news item - here, a retired navy officer was merely voicing concern on the government's handling of a problem in the northeast, and be sure to check out the comments). It seems to me that there a lot of such people in India and abroad (Indians) that have completely bought the right-wing ideology, and who view all developments in India through that ideology alone. Now, let me make it clear, that some of the points that these right-wing groups such as the RSS and BJP make are absolutely valid. And let me also make it clear that I, for one, do not want to forget history - whether it was recent history, or events that happened a few hundred years ago. And, oh, I cannot stand missionaries from western countries who are trying to spread "the message of love", as if back home, the streets were overflowing with love! And I will be the first to hit back if someone wants to mess with me or my family for being "infidels" or "heathens". But where I differ from these groups (and the fanatics who are becoming increasingly visible on the internet) is that I tend to look at the big picture, and I try to learn more and more. The reason I try to learn more about history is because I feel there are a lot of missing pieces of information, and what we have is a distorted picture. While all these people are right about what the Islamic invaders did to India, how many of these guys are ready to own up what the so-called "Hindus" did to fellow Hindus? I say so-called, because, now, these chaps conveniently bracket everyone under the label "Hindu". But where were they, when a big chunk of the society was kept suppressed due to the caste system? Forget about the past - just ask them today - are they ready to give up and disown the caste sytem TODAY? If not, why not? Until they do, I want nothing to do with Hinduism as it is practised now, and as it is understood today, and worse, as it is projected outside today.... Of course, I pray to my Gods - but they are MY Gods, and not Hindu Gods....(for those who cannot understand my logic, never mind...) Some Indians are actually ashamed of Mahatma Gandhi, because, in their opinion, by advocating peace and non-violence, he has made India weak! My goodness - the internet has really made warriors out of mouse-wielding morons! I'll tell you what made India weak - it's the discrimination, that led to mediocrity, which led to corruption and subtle violence....An intolerance towards and a refusal to accept diversity.