It is instructive to note how mature liberal democracies in Europe, the Americas and Australia/NZ have dealt with the hysteria generated by the ‘Hindutva’vadis’ cousins- the Christian fundamentalists, over the ‘The last temptation of Christ’, the Jerry Springer Opera, ‘Jesus Christ superstar’, the Monty Python series etc.

That such competitive intolerance is being encouraged in the name of Dharma and Hinduism is a perversion. Period.

Please read the following articles we published on various aspects of the issue including analyses of the DHC and SC judgments.

No ’secular’ newspaper or magazine gave them space although they have done a lot to propagate lies, more lies and damn lies.

For e.g. consider this headline in page 4 of ‘The New Indian Express’, Hyderabad: “Reports on Objections to Hussain’s art flawed”. The headline is inserted in quotes. A first reading gives one the impression that someone has questioned the veracity of the reports.

However the report is about Swami Dayananda Saraswati condemning “reports that a vast majority of Indians do not have objection to the impugned paintings of MFH and that only a small fraction of Hindus have been angered.” There is mischief even in this sentence. The Swami in fact pointed out that “…because Hindu masses were averse to organized violence to get what they wanted in religious and cultural matters, this sort of misinterpretation was being made…The truth is the opposite”

In order to view the correct perspectives, please read the following:

M. F. HUSSAIN SECULAR HOLY COW OR MARKET DRIVEN PEDDLER?
http://voxindica.blogspot.com/2009/11/m-f-hussain-secular-holy-cow-or-market.html

DECCAN CHRONICLE APOLOGIZES – HUSSAIN DOESN’T!
http://voxindica.blogspot.com/2009/04/oscar-awards-ceremony-this-year-was.html

OBITER DICTA ON ARTISTIC FREEDOM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
http://voxindica.blogspot.com/2008/09/did-delhi-high-court-grant-m-f-hussein_13.html

ARTISTIC FREEDOM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
http://voxindica.blogspot.com/2007/06/artistic-freedom-social-responsibility.html

and book banning is not a new phenomenon. “Ravana Kaviyam”, a book written by Pulavar Kuzhandai (in Tamil) which presented the Ravana side of the Ramayana story, was banned by the Congress in 1948. and since 1971 almost all school children in TN board have studied both “Kamba Ramayanam” and “Ravana Kaviyam” as part of their tamil text.

in India, civil liberties are seriously threatened by the govt. in US, there is group which goes to funerals of fallen american soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan and shouts that they deserved to die becos Americans have tolerated “gayness and other perversions” and hence its a punishment by ‘God’. courts uphold their right to do so.

here in India, the Supreme court warns Raj Thackeray about hate speech! a court which is supposed to uphold Article 21 of the constitution and hence protest Raj Thackeray’s right to say whatever he wants, is instead threatening him. strange country this.

While I agree with your view that “tolerance is inherent in hindu thought and has to be reflected by political representatives of hindu community”, I would also urge you to think about this hypothetical scenario:

“M.F.Hussian drew hindu dieties nude. He has a right to do that and still live in India. If at all we stand by liberty in its truest sense we only have right to protest and complain in the court of law but we have no right to issue a life threat to stop him. Currently, at least as far as i know hindus have lodged their protest through 1500+ legal appeals. I have not heard/read of any life threat from any hindu or a part of hindu community.

Now, around at the same time, lets say I become a little artistically aroused and I draw a nude caricature of Prophet and his daughters. There will be protests from muslim community of course. But bigger question is am I going to live without fear of life threat? I am quite certain you would call me stupid if i expect any support from the govt. I am also certain I would call you stupid if you expect me to think that govt is going to support me with whatever it can. We saw what happened to Taslima Nasreen.”

It is clear that two particular communities are always given preferential treatment, by the two legs of the tripod of indian administrative system – executive and judiciary. In such an environment where my rights are always threatened and two particular communities are always at liberty to whatever heck they want, then how am I supposed to sit and protest forever. Where will my protest lead me. Will I ever get justice? How long should I take it? In this situation, if I turn violent, then would you call it an impulsive outburst of frustratingly long wait for justice or would you call it religious extremism. Dont you think most of the people including some politicians are today behaving this way because of this long and extended walk toward the mirage of Justice. Justice in india has been joke ever since the word was introduced in the country!

Also, agreed that the UID project indeed has some anti-civil-liberty features. But I think on the whole the project is worth going forward with.

About Hinduism as one religion, I disagree with you – please read varnam.nationalinterest.in

abortion is murder. and in India, is more often a result of incest, rape or coercion to abort a girl fetus. if Indians treat abortion, the way american treat it (ala murder), Indian mothers will be far better off.

and there is no such thing as Hinduism. and it certainly is no single religion. All Indians of all faiths/rationals are Hindus. Muslim Hindus perhaps are also offended by Husain’s painting just like Brahmanical or non-denominational Hindus. and the same populous is again offended by fascist parties harassing an elderly artist. court cases are valid and Husian has indeed run from the law. but he can’t be expected to appear in court if his physical security is threatened.

and yeah, praise Nandan Nilekani, the guy ramming thru UID, the very anti-thesis of civil liberties. and not to mention monumental waste of tax payers money.

you guys shud learn what conservatism is (or liberalism as u call it) before setting out to blog.

The book is important as the debate is very technical, and at some point, it becomes difficult for the eco-fanatics to say that every top scientist against their “consensus” is bought off.

It exposed the fraud of Mann, CRU etc., long before the recent scandals.

It is not a proven fact that global warming doesn’t exist. On the other hand, the hyperventilation over global warming isn’t warranted either. Just because some recently acquired data puts doubts in the “accepted wisdom” of global warming doesn’t prove that it is false. It only means that we need to study it better before we devote resources to counter.

Rex – Good points – so, how about starting by investing money in making those alternative forms of energy accessible before asking people to adopt them. In case the developed countries are so hellbent on saving the world, how about writing a big discount check to the developing countries so that these alternative sources may be available at the same price as the non renewable sources. If they cost the same, I doubt people would complain about adopting the renewable sources – At least the consumers won’t.( Petroleum companies will, but who cares)

I prefer taking the Levitt’s approach when it comes to fighting with this environmental issues– Do a cost-benefit analysis and then decide.

Global warming theory is a hoax. Mankind was almost had in the greatest heist in history, but the crooks faltered before reaching the finishing line.

Users will always opt for the greatest convience at the lowest cost. When fossil fuels supply start dwindling, they will be replaced suitably. There is no need to adopt precautionary principle and throw billions of precious dollars at unproven “sustaiable technologies”.

We Indians love being morons, and stating our opinions as facts, please go back to the comfort of naturally racist cave you emerged from. We don’t need your advice.

This is ridiculous , it is a well known fact in th western countries, that the Man made Global warming is a big hoax & scam , which is perpetuated by the Global elite for the hegemony over the world’s population & natural resources. It is destined to kill millions of people from third world countries of hunger because of the regulations. It is very pathetic that India is doing toe the line of the western countries even after the climate gate scandal & the surprises that we are getting everyday regarding the man made Global warming scam. It looks like there is great lobbying going on by different means by the global elite or the globalists. We have to wake up from slumber as the people of America are doing in defending the New world order.

Regards,
Raag