More in Minorities
-
Petition Against Reservation in India
The Government of India is now adamant on increasing the reservation for SC/ST/OBC to 49.5% in top educational institutes. This leaves very little seats for the talented General Class students, who are already struggling….
I got a message from a friend to help Youth Forum for Justice against this by signing their petition. They want me and you to sign their petition against reservation and tell your friends to do the same.
They further say “As the petition reaches 1,00,000 count, we will be sending it toThe Hon’ble President of India.”
Sign Petition here.
-
Portents of another Bloodshed?
Are these the beginnings of another bloodshed in Gujarat?
A 32-year-old man was burnt alive by a crowd of 1500 in Vadodara early on Wednesday morning.
According to eyewitnesses, the victim was chased by a crowd and burnt alive when he was passing through Ajwa Road’s Mahavir hall crossing.
The man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced ‘dead on arrival’.
Sources report that crowds have been gathering across the city through the night. The fact that Vadodara is rife with rumours makes the work of the police very difficult in such tense times.
Vadodara is rife with rumours making the work of the police difficult. The city has been tense since the demolition of a dargah and the death of two person in consequent violence.
-
No Immigrant Day, Blackberry and Trendy Jobs!
So yesterday’s protests in the US by predominantly Hispanic immigrants was a big success where almost 1 million folks joined in! Even Larry King had this as the main topic in his last night’s program. Lou Dobbs was there and arguing at the lack of this Government’s efforts at stopping the illegal entries.. four and a half years after 9-11 – which I thought was fair! Tonight Anderson 360 will show the border problem as it unfolds – will be interesting I suppose!Another new thing looming on the horizon in the US – the Hurricane season as it is just 30 days away…. and here the Senators and Congress folks are arguing to dissolve FEMA.. while its employees are exiting the organization. So is the country any better equipped to tackle the new season as compared to last year? Many top level positions are still not filled up.. even the top ones at the Director level!
-
A Hard Working Iranian and Anti-Illegal Immigration Boycotts.
The morning started early 3 am – got ready and while I was checking my mail waiting for the car service driver … I overshot the time of 4 am as my laptop time was a little off from the main. Last time, the owner of the car service company had sent a new guy – his old friend who had joined him as an employee. This dimunitive balding elderly gentleman is an Iranian – from North Iran – whose family hails from Azherbaijan. He stills has some family there. So, he can speak at least two languages fluently – Turkish and Persian (Farsi). He is an interesting character. Since he is new to the business he is diligent and is always trying to outdo himself. Doublechecks everything and makes sure every small thing is taken of. And in that extra effort seems fairly nervous at times. But he is a good presence to be with.
-
Indian workers’ Dubai dream turns sour!!
Dubai used to be a destination of choice of the Indian immigrants leaving Indian shores.. but the dream seems to be turning sour there! Normally speaking Indians are non-confrontational… so for them to go on rampage and be violent means they had had endured quite a bit!!
Nearly 2,000 workers, mostly Indians, involved in the construction of over 100 high-rise buildings in Dubai, stopped work and went on a rampage demanding better wages and working conditions. The workers damaged eight cars and two buses, destroyed official documents and also pelted stones at office buildings besides beating up a site engineer last evening, a media report said. This is the second incident of Indian workers going on a rampage in less than a month.
-
Hindu Temple in Minnesota Vandalized
Is US going in the right direction? With so many religious overtones to every aspect of life and governance – we see that people are becoming less tolerant of others. It may be possible that the vandals thought this temple was probably related to the Muslims – which would be indeed sad! Or the vandals were just jealous that a minority community could spend $9 million in that city JUST on a temple! Whatever the reason.. this is something that needs to be addressed here on a long term basis!!
A multi-million dollar temple under construction in mid-west Minnesota was vandalised on April 5 damaging large number of Hindu deities, which were specially imported from India.
-
Debate on the Reservations in the IIMs
Good the debate on the mindless reservation has started in India – specially in case of the IIMs! I had an post earlier during the week on this one!
The proposed reservation of 27% seats has brought about a cloud of apprehension over institutes of higher education. At IIM-Ahmedabad, students wonder — will it drastically cut down seats for general category? Will academic standards fall?
-
Shaking with a Sheikh!
Here is an article by a convert to Islam named Yvonne Ridley about her refusal to Shake hands with a Sheikh (Sheikh Tantawi) .. .. hmm.. if you dont Shake hands with Sheikh – what do you do with him? Shake is written all over him!!
I have a flaw in my character and it gets me into serious trouble. It is something that has dogged me all of my life and causes no amount of consternation in some circles. Some people would say I am simply bad mannered or ill bred while others mightsay I’m too honest for my own good.
-
Afghan Clerics: West should mind its own business. Come again?
The author of this article on German site Spiegel.de asks this question below – is this an important one or a rhetorical one?
A few caricatures in a Danish newspaper caused bloody riots in the Muslim world. But now an Afghan man has been sentenced to death for converting to Christianity. Afghanistan has told the West it should mind its own business. Come again?
And then he goes on the context of the death sentence of the Afghan man who converted from Islam to Christianity.
-
50% of IIT/IIM entrants Will be Reserved
This was a small news article on this site – with GRAVE consequences for the future of Indian Industry and Education! By making 50% kids in this top institutes get in virtually of a standard that are nowhere near the rest – it is certain that the quality will decline tremendously! I wonder what Dr. Singh is thinking!!?? There are ways to boost the poorer and lower classes – but this aint one of them!!
The Center today reserved 49.5 percent of the total seats in IITs, IIMs and Central Universities for OBCs, SCs and STs.
-
Ashurah: A Barbaric Observance!
There are many gross practices in many religions – but this one called Ashurah takes the cake! You have to got to see the last picture in this post of a father putting a knife on his son’s (not more than 2 yrs I am sure!) to bleed him – and with a feeling of evident pride – to see how brain-dead these folks are!! This is an article that you may read if you are ok with the gory pictures! Otherwise stay away!
-
Man Divorces Wife in Sleep – Clerics insist they are Divorced!
A must read….A man says he wants to divorce his wife in sleep.. and the wife shares this bizarre dream act with her friend.. a cleric gets to know of this… and what is store for the couple now? ACTUAL DIVORCE! Didnt someone tell the women to stop gossiping so much!! Well the funny thing is that both dont want the divorce now! Do read the last para here to see the alternative that the cleric gave them – honestly … if Quran has stuff even remotely close to what these clerics are suggesting.. then I cannot understand how does it have any respect for women!!! Sorry but that inference is inevitable!!
-
Illegal Immigrants in the US Show their Strength!
This is really funny! I can understand that US needs to respect the immigrants – but illegal immigrants? How does an illegal immigrant get any rights in any country? And Why?
For a guy who waited 5 years just to get a Green card legally – this is a major frustration.. to see that someone can simply jump a rope and demand to be not touched! I remember when my final stage was being processed – that was also the time that amnesty was announced .. and so many illegal immigrants’ Green cards took priority over ours. This country needs reforms.. real BAD!!
-
Negative Perceptions of Islam in US
The world is changing and it is becoming more anti-Islam – part of it has to do with racial stereotypes but a large part of it has to do with inability of the intellectuals amongst the “believers” to properly scrutinize and “question” some of their own beliefs! Are there any parts of Quran that may not be in tune with a peaceful world?
To give a blanket statement that everything about Quran is steeped in peace is ostrich-like for the world “outside” does NOT believe in it. There is NO book or Prophet or Saint whom I have read/heard who/which was consistent and perfect at every point (including Bhagwad Gita – which in my personal opinion is the most profound book I have read!). So it is inconceivable for me that either Bible or Quran is perfect in all respects. They are NOT and the sooner everyone realizes this the better it is for the mankind.
In any case it is important that the Muslim intellectuals start a reformation and take over the religion landscape as opposed to being herded by the extremists. Here is an article based on recent polls in the US on the perceptions on Islam and Muslims.
-
Bomb Blast in Varanasi
Those bastards are at it again!! The motivation for Varanasi to be the target would quite obviously be to instigate riots! Hope the Hindu community does not take out its anger on the Muslim brothers who have nothing to do with all this!
At least 20 persons were killed and over 50 injured when three blasts rocked Varanasi on Tuesday evening.
According to the police, three blasts occurred almost simultaneously at about 6.30 pm. The first blast took place at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple that was crowded on Tuesday, believed to be a special day for Lord Hanuman.
-
Islamic world and Oil Futures
Oil reserves are on the way down. World is clamouring for aternative resources for energy. It can be predicted that Oil & Gas, as we know it, may not remain the prime choice in, say, the next 100 years for energy. This will be a BIG challenge to the world – the West most – to get to that level. It is possible and requires coordination in many areas but the convergence in next 100 years is a strongly plausible!
The wealth of oil has provided a false sense of security to the nations who have most of it – the Middle East and Latin American. These countries now have socialist or theocratic autocrats or virtual (“democratically elected”) dictators! They will rule the roost when the prices go up in the medium term time frame for next 50-60 years. The profits and wealth generation opportunities will abound. When such a scenario unfolds the rulers became more cavalier and so more vain. This obviates any thought of institution-building or creation of long term human and education infrastructure.
-
Bridging the Gap – call for volunteers
This is kind of a “world-wide” blog cultural exchange - where I have ‘enrolled’ myself too!
People who want to know of cutures of other people can link themselves up with bloggers here and start a dialog. If you would like to be added – then please sign up as a volunteer!
-
Normal Muslim Bollywood Stories no more?
Last night I watched a rather different kind of Bollywood movie “Iqbal”. The reason I brought the cassette was because the grocery store owner – a Gujju and a self-proclaimed class-mate of Rakhi Sawant (yeah that sexy siren) – had written the words “Good Movie”! This was the first time in last two years that I have seen any movie in his store get SUCH a proclamation. That does it, I said!
It was a nice but predictably familiar plot of a movie.. kind of like one of those popular themes where an underdog village kid with no real means .. against ALL odds and a little help from un assuming quarters, makes it BIG! Only with two differences – this kid was deaf and dumb and he was Muslim. Why have I mentioned the latter? Interesting point! Even I did not realize it until late!
-
Mail from “A Muslim” to boycott West
Just got this email in my inbox! Wow.. this does seem to have grown to unimaginable proportions!! They are even buying emails to do marketing campaigns!!
From: A Muslim mjunaidquadri@gawab.com
Reply-To: A Muslim mjunaidquadri@gawab.com
Date: Feb 15, 2006 4:08 PM
Subject: Boycott the Western Countries
Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Add sender to Contacts list | Delete this message | Report phishing | Show original | Message text garbled?Boycott the Western Countries
Boycott the products of America & European countries on the favor of publishing cartoon images of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) nauzubillah. Boycott the products like Telenor, KFC, Walls, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Nestle etc. and prove your love to the prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
-
Anti-Semitic Cartoon Contest in Israel
Pickled Politics reports that Jews are getting ready for an Anti-Semitic Cartoon contest.. quotes Leslie Bunder:
“ We’ll show the world we can do the best, sharpest, most offensive Jew hating cartoons ever published,” said Amitai Sandy a graphic artist and publisher of Dimona Comix Publishing in Tel Aviv. “No Iranian will beat us on our home turf,” he added. “
-
Indian Sailor killed on Ship over Prophet Cartoon Debate!!
This is absolutely nonsensical!! Life of a soldier is FAR more important than ANY argument! And the Government is planning on the implementation of Muslim census! Is this the end of the Indian National Security??
An Indian sailor was allegedly beaten to death by his colleagues on board a Norwegian oil tanker in the international waters off the coast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates following an argument over the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in some European newspapers.
A fight ensued among the seamen after an argument over the issue, causing the death of one sailor, a media report said.
-
Counter-productive Affirmative Action and Reservations
There have been many discussions and questions on reservations (or Affirmative Action as it is called in the US). Many have said and there are said to be innumerable research papers which claim that it works. I cannot and will not go into that kind of nonsense. For statistics is just another kind of lie.
What I am looking at is the ground reality – the lot of African Americans in the US and Lower Castes in India. Have their situation really improved? Have the “perceptions” really changed regarding them?
-
Indian Army Chief against Muslim Census
Now, even Army Chief JJ Singh has joined in this debate on the Muslim census in the Indian Army as have other servicemen! Its amazing that the poiticians would not let the Armed Forces alone!! This is like tinkering with the ONLY shield we have left in our country!!
The move also generated intense opposition from military brass. While Army Chief General JJ Singh has maintained that the Indian armed forces were “apolitical, secular and professional”, ex-servicemen, including retired Generals, on Tuesday announced a protest rally on Wednesday “against politicisation of the armed forces with reference to Muslim personnel”.
-
Abode of Mohammad Bin Tughlaqs
Mohammad Bin Tughlaq was the son of Ghiyas ud din and came to the throne in 1325. Mohammad bin Tughlaq is known as a wise fool for two actions that seemed intelligent but utterly failed. So fraught they were with inconsistencies that their implementation left him weaker than before. Of course, they never solved the questions he had wanted to address in the first place either!
Here are the two of his most famous actions:
Delhi to Deogiri Move
In order to improve administration of the southern parts of his Empire after winning in Deccan, Bin Tughlaq moved the capital from Delhi to Deogiri in the Deccan in the early part of his reign, renaming the city Daulatabad. Instead of moving just his goverment offices there, he, in his infinite wisdom, wanted to forcibily move the entire population of Delhi to the new capital. But the plan failed due to inadequate arrangements in Deogiri and the capital had to be shifted back again to Delhi after two years. A vast amount of the population died during the moves due to the inadequate travel arrangements. It is said that Delhi was a ghost town for years after the move back.
-
Racial Profiling in the Indian Army?
Is this racial profiling in the Indian Army? Whatever the trigger for this – it is rather instructive that it is being attempted NOT by the usual villains – the BJP – but the “oh-so-holy” pseudo-secular party – Congress .. with the support of the ever Hypocrite Left parties!!
Charging a section of the opposition with deliberately raising the issue, Congress on Monday said the reported survey of Muslims in the armed forces was not army specific but a general fact finding exercise.
-
Indian Minorities and the “Still a baby” argument
Once there were two brothers – Mr. Jay and Mr Kay. Jay was the elder and Kay the younger. Since Jay was the elder, he had assumed most responsibilities – and even though through his childhood, he would get the most rebuke and spanking, he still would keep working – demostrating and talking back sometimes. However, being the elder of the two, he would know that he had to show the way. Kay was unpredictable. A person of VERY strong choices! He only liked milk at a certain temperature – and if it wasn’t provided at that temperature, it was not unusual for the brat in him to pull the entire milk pitcher – with milk meant for others in the household – down and spoil the entire milk!
The tantrums of Kay kept on getting bolder.. and most were aimed at Jay for he got the most attention being the elder. The more pranks Kay would play on Jay, the more angrier Jay would become and in his rage would vow to hurt him, but his Mom would stop him with the argument that Kay was after all his “baby brother”! As if the torn books and swollen toe would be any lesser so because it was the inflicted by Kay and not Shay!! If only the bones could see the person’s age!
-
UN evacuates staff from Afghanistan because of Cartoon riots
Here is the news this morning on the latest in the Cartoon Controversy:
The United Nations evacuated staff and NATO peacekeepers rushed reinforcements to a northwest Afghan town after deadly fighting erupted during a protest against cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, officials said.
All I can say at all this stuff is this:
“Operationally, God is beginning to resemble not a ruler but the last fading smile of a cosmic Cheshire cat.”
- Sir Julian Huxley -
-
Racism, Stereotyping and the Ostriches!
This is what this blogger Krish says about Racism and how it is only an obsession of a “primitive” society – whoever heard of Europe’s or Australia’s racism.. or that in the US?! The truth is that as Gaurav says – its a natural instinct.. which those who are more balanced and less judgmental can overcome and call the bluff of this negative “streak” that comes from throes of Power.
Since I am still in the mood of continuing my debate with Libertarians, I thought I will give a point by point analysis/response to Gaurav’s recent post on caste.
-
MLK Speeches
Here are streaming audios of two major speeches from Martin Luther King Jr.
I Have A Dream
The famous speech delivered in 1963 to more than 200,000 civil-rights marchers at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The above audio is an excerpt of the speech!
Let Freedom Ring
-
- Rioting Spreads to 300 Towns in France
300 TOWNS??!!! Thats a MAJOR RIOT!! In India I have seen a LOT of riots.. but never to this scale of geographic spread!
A firefighter extinguishes a truck in Cenon, near Bordeaux, southwestern France, Sunday night, Nov.6, 2005 on the tenth day of unrest. Vehicles and buildings were torched by youths in largely immigrant areas began rampaging after two of their peers were electrocuted last week at a power substation while hiding from police they feared were chasing them. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) -
- Nobody loves a Torturer
Fareed Zakaria is an astute observer of the Middle east politics. And I think he is right… the moral ground has been lost.. and badly by the US. Although I dont have much sympathy for the terrorists either.. for they do not and will not stop at any point in torture themselves… but anyone who claims a moral high ground .. also has the onus of creating the differentiation in terms of different and higher standards!
That is something that the ex-Irish lady PM was trying to say on Bill Maher.. when this MSNBC commentator was all over her .. with “My country-Your UN” arguments.. little realizing that its BECAUSE OF UN like bodies and treaties that US and other Western countries could have a peaceful time. It was their “first line of defence”…. but now the situation has changed.. instead of multi-lateralism being the first response… Violent strikes by own forces have taken up that role… DISASTROUS STRATEGY!
-
- No superior status for NRIs in criminal cases: HC
Merely by going abroad a person cannot claim a status superior to that of other citizens of the country and would have to obey the orders issued by courts in India, the Delhi High Court has ruled.
Dismissing a writ petition by one Rajiv Tayal challenging the constitutional validity of an order passed by the ministry of external affairs impounding his passport, a Division Bench of Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice H R Malhotra said there was no infringement of any fundamental fights guaranteed under Articles 14 (right to equality) 19 (right to freedom) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution.
-
- Unrest Reaches Paris; 28 Cars Torched
Ten nights of urban unrest that brought thousands of arson attacks on cars, nursery schools and other targets from the Mediterranean to the German border reached Paris where at least 28 cars were burned overnight in the French capital, government officials said Sunday.
Some 2,300 police poured into the Paris region to bolster security on a restive Saturday night while firefighters moved out around the city to douse blazing vehicles.
At least 918 vehicles — including those in Paris — were burned during the 10th night of violence, said the Interior Ministry’s operational center tracking the violence. There was no word yet on damage in Paris to shops, gymnasiums, nursery schools and other targets which have been attacked around the country.