Ayodhya - a good story from Ram Janambhoomi

This is a good story of communal harmony in Ayodhya, indeed, there are many such stories in a series of article on Ayodhya published at http://MikeGhouseforIndia.blogspot.com . We appreciate Dr. Frank Islam for taking the initiative to promote good stories to uplift people and put them on the pathway to cherish each other’s life.  We hope to open our offices in India soon to give a boost to the ideals of pluralism, i.e, respecting the otherness of other and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of us.

Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism

‘There was never an iota of communal hatred in Ayodhya’

IANS|Economic Times

Updated: Dec 03, 2017, 12.32 PM IST

Courtesy Economic Times –

Locals, both Hindus and Muslims, say “outsiders” who came to Ayodhya in 1992 stirred trouble while locals were busy saving each other — irrespective of their religious faiths.

This is a town held sacred for its association with Hindu religious lore, which in latter days acquired the unflattering reputation of being a hotbed of Hindu-Muslim antagonism and religious-political conflict whose reverberations are felt both nationally and internationally. But what is little known, and may be even difficult to believe, is that Ayodhya has traditionally been known for its inter-faith harmony where it is not out of the ordinary for a Muslim tailor to stitch clothes for the idol of Ram or for a Hindu priest to help renovate an old mosque.

As  India approaches 25 years of the apocalyptic demolition of the 16th century  Babri Masjid on December 6, citizens of Ayodhya take pains to talk about their age-old heritage of cultural collaboration and free participation in inter-religious activities which has kept the secular fabric of the twin intact — despite the dragging temple-mosque politico-legal dispute over 2.7 acres of prime land whose ownership is contested by both Hindus and Muslims.

Locals, both Hindus and Muslims, say they were “outsiders” who came to Ayodhya in 1992 and stirred trouble while locals were busy saving each other — irrespective of their religious faiths — from the brunt of the riots that ensued. Out of the town’s total population of around 60,000, Muslims account for only six per cent. But they never felt any discrimination from Hindus, says Mohammed Chand Qaziana, priest at the Dargah of Sayyed Mohammad Ibrahim.

Qaziana said that the dargah was protected by local Hindus when the kar sevaks, or Hindu religious activists who came from outside the town, demolished the Babri mosque on December 6, 1992, on the ground that it was erected there by invading Mughal emperor Babar after razing a temple dedicated to Ram, the revered warrior-god of Hindus.

“This 900-year-old dargah has followers from the Hindu community as well, many of whom regularly pay a visit here. It is a symbol of our centuries-old harmonious existence. When it was attacked, our Hindu brothers formed a human shield around it and saved it,” Qaziana recalled to IANS.

Faizabad district, in which Ayodhya falls, has about 30 per cent Muslim population. Qaziana said there is an unannounced understanding among the people here not to fall prey to hate speeches of politicians and outsiders.

What makes communal harmony special here is the participation in inter-faith events and rituals — Muslims stitching clothes for Hindu deities, participating in Ramleela (religious theatre based on the life of Ram) or doing namaz (prayers) in Hindu religious places; and Hindus similarly contributing to mosque renovation or helping Muslim fellow townspeople in times of need.

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Echoing Qaziana’s views, Barfi Maharaj, who identifies himself as a Hindu social worker, said the Masjid was razed on December 6 by  Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) hotheads and locals had no role in it.

“We were neither influenced by hate speeches nor did we participate in the demolition drive. It was VHP that brought outsiders to demolish the Masjid. How can people from the birthplace of Ram, who is known for his secular teachings, commit such a sinful act?” asked Barfi Maharaj.

Giving examples of inter-faith harmony in the town, he said that a mosque near Hanumangadhi in Ayodhya was being renovated by a Hindu mahant (priest) while a Muslim tailor had been stitching clothes for the idol of Ram that is installed in the makeshift temple at the disputed site of Babri Masjid.

Sadik Ali, alias Babu Khan, said he had stitched seven to eight sets of clothes for the Hindu gods so far. Sadik, who is said to be a stakeholder in the negotiations in the issue, called  Babri Masjid demolition “unfortunate” but said he had no problem in the construction of  Ram Mandir on the disputed land.

“We do have faith in Ram. We had offered namaz at Hanuman Gadhi. If Hindus want big temples for their beloved god, we do not have a problem. We just want a piece of land nearby for a mosque,” Ali said.

Mohammed Salim has been making ‘khadav’ (wooden sandal), which were traditionally used by sadhus and priests but are now largely used in temples.

Salim said his family had been selling khadavs since generations which are usually bought by temple priests. “I have never witnessed any tension between the two communities here. We depend on each other for our needs and we respect each other,” he said.

The mutual understanding and respect for Hindus and Muslims here — revealing to an outsider — figure prominently in the region as one talks to the locals who, irrespective of their religion, slammed political leaders for vitiating the issue in an attempt to get electoral mileage.

A local contractor, Shailendra Pandey, said the people of Ayodhya were hardly consulted on what has come to be known as the Mandir-Masjid issue and politicians used Ram and the temple issue for their personal gains.

“You go anywhere in the city and talk to anyone. You will not find an iota of communal hatred among them. The unholy politics by outsiders has given our city a negative image,” Pandey said.

Mohammed Naeem, who is the president of Naugaja Dargah, said politicians were now creating hurdles in the way of the temple construction.

“This town is a perfect example of religious harmony and secularism, thanks to its rich culture and history. Everyone would be happy if the contentious issue is resolved amicably. However, we feel the politicians have kept this issue pending for their selfish motives,” Naeem said.

Whatever be the difficulties and complexities in the Mandir-Masjid issue, there will not be any negative impact in the socio-religious fabric of the city, feel the people of Ayodhya, once the kingdom of Ram, known for being a model of good governance in that era.

(This feature is part of a special series that seeks to bring unique and extraordinary stories of ordinary people, groups and communities from across a diverse, plural and inclusive India, and has been made possible by a collaboration between IANS and the Frank Islam Foundation. Saurabh Katkurwar can be contacted at saurabh.k@ians.in)A

Ghar wapsi won’t succeed unless Hindus change their mindset

I am glad to see on sane voice from among the nuts. Why didn't he speak before? He could have avoided all that bad breath. I hope more sane voices will speak up. I have written quite extensively on this topic now.

Mike Ghouse

VHP members perform havan near Atiya.

Vinay Katiyar, founder president of the Bajrang Dal and BJP Rajya Sabha member from UP, has criticised the RSS-affiliated Dharma Jagran Samanway Samiti (DJSS) for rushing into a re-conversion programme that had benefited no one, and only created disharmony and bad blood.

‘Ghar wapsi’ was a difficult project, Katiyar said, and advised the DJSS to “work more and talk less”. RSS pracharak and DJSS convener  Rajeshwar Singh, who had spearheaded the Agra ‘ghar wapsi’ that triggered massive criticism of the government and stalled Parliament’s winter session, has recently gone “on leave”.

“Nobody is going to be benefited from the controversy. Nothing positive is going to emerge from the propaganda,” Katiyar told The Indian Express.

Explaining the importance of doing “homework” for the project, he said, “As a pracharak for Hindu Jagran Manch, I had approached some Muslim families in Unnao (UP) in the early eighties. They said they were ready to re-convert to Hinduism, but who would marry their children? Finally they did not come to our fold. For any Muslim who wants to re-convert, an assurance that marriage would not become a problem is the most important.”


Before founding the Bajrang Dal as a front of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the early eighties, Katiyar had worked for the HJM, the organisation that led the Sangh’s re-conversion mission before the DJSS. Katiyar, who was one of the more aggressive faces of the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation, subsequently headed the BJP’s UP unit and represented Faizabad in the Lok Sabha for three terms. 

“Iss se sirf katuta paida hui hai. Kisi ka koi fayda nahin hua hai (This [ghar wapsi] has only created bitterness. No one has gained from it). It has only hampered work,” Katiyar said. “Ghar wapsi”, he added, “can be successfully carried out only if we are able to persuade Hindus to marry the girls and boys of the people who re-convert”. 

Hindus, Katiyar said, almost never accept those who ‘return’ with an open mind and heart. “No matter which caste they come back to, nobody accepts their children as a bride or groom. Sometimes people are ready to accept their daughters, but they will still not marry their own daughters to re-converts. There have been cases where families that re-converted went back to being Muslim again only because of this problem of marriage.” 


The DJSS’s efforts are likely to be largely futile, Katiyar said. “They have neither the strength nor the preparedness. Unless Hindus are ready to change their mindset, no ghar wapsi is possible from Muslims to Hindus.” According to him, getting families ‘back’ from Christianity was easier because the problem of acceptability was not that acute. -

See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/ghar-wapsi-wont-succeed-unless-hindus-change-2/#sthash.urdJjBts.dpuf

is Hinduism a violent religion?

Full article will be at Huffington Post by December 31, 2014
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/

The extremists among Hindus have hijacked the religion of peace and non-violence, just as the extremists among Buddhists, Jews and Muslims have done it with their religions. It is time for the moderate Hindus to speak up, if not, the new narrative would be Hinduism is a religion of violence, fascism and forcible conversions.

Hinduism is indeed blessed not to be slapped with 9/11 like terrorism label on it, despite the massacres of 3000 Sikhs in New Delhi by the violent Hindu mobs in just three days, for a total of 8,000 Sikhs within a week. Nearly a thousand Muslims were butchered by the fanatic Hindus in Gujarat within two weeks in 2002. Christian Nuns were raped, their churches pillaged and some of the missionaries were burnt alive including Rev. Graham Staines. What is done to the Dalits, formerly known as untouchable is unforgivable. The historic 500 year old Babri Mosque was destroyed in 1992 by extremists Hindu mobs.

No good Hindu should be offended by the above, they did no wrong. They would be wrong if they don’t speak out against it.

The Majority Hindus need to speak up to save the nation. 

1. Reconversion roils in India - New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/world/asia/india-narendra-modi-hindu-conversions-missionaries.html
2. Hindus attack Christmas Carolers 
   http://www.worthynews.com/18157-india-hindus-attack-christmas-carolers
3. Conversions : For the love of God by Bikram Vohra-  http://www.arabnews.com/columns/news/678451
4. Christians under Attack in India http://www.crossmap.com/news/christmas-season-brings-christianity-under-renewed-attack-in-india-15059
5. My Close encounters with Hindutva - http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-close-encounter-with-hindutva.html
6. HIndu Switch Sparks Anger - Hong Kong http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=6&art_id=152563&sid=43584267&con_type=1&d_str=20141222&fc=4
7. No right to undermine Secular nature of India - Hindustan Times - http://www.hindustantimes.com/comment/no-right-to-undermine-secular-nature-of-india/article1-1300103.aspx
8. New tolerane for Intolerance in India - http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/opinion/in-modis-india-new-tolerance-for-intolerance/
9. Modi's slogans and performances http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141224/jsp/opinion/story_4940.jsp#.VJtUUF4B1A
10. THEIR CROSS TO BEAR http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Their-Cross-To-Bear/292915
11. Modi's party finally distances itself from the conversion. As usual, Modi has a habit of stepping in after the damage is done.http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/12/20/india-politics-religion-idINKBN0JY0AS20141220
12. India Inc speaks out against Hindutva Hotheads - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/India-Inc-takes-on-Sangh-hotheads/articleshow/45623032.cms?utm_source=fb&utm_campaign=toimobile&utm_medium=referral
13. Standing up for Hindus - http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/standing-with-hindus.html
14. Standing up for Christians - http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/01/standing-with-christians.html

Mike Ghouse

MikeGhouseforIndia.blogspot.com

Too much Hindutva rhetoric by Pavan K Varma

The statistically insignificant, but strategically dangerous extremists among Muslim continue to terrorize,  and now extremists among Buddhist and Hindu are challenging the hegemony and they will have their own share of fanatics. I am glad monopolies are broken and we will get to a point soon, where the 99.9% of good people of the world will hone on the extremists to create a better world for all of us, not 100% but a tad below that.

Mike Ghouse
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http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/too-much-hindutva-rhetoric/
12/22/14 Courtesy of Times of India
Pavan K Varma

The writer, a former diplomat, represents JD(U) in Rajya Sabha.Modi’s silence on communal speeches by members of the Sangh casts a shadow on his governance

In the progression of inflammatory political news that saturates headlines in the media, there is often reason to pause to try and analyse the root cause or essential pattern underlying them. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti’s December 1 speech in which she expletively dubbed those who don’t support the BJP as haramzadon provides an illustrative moment for such an exercise.

Not unreasonably, the opposition in Parliament expected Narendra Modi to sack such a minister. Instead, after the minister expressed ‘regret’ in both Houses, the PM, bowing to opposition pressure, merely made a statement disapproving use of such language, and requested members to magnanimously forgive her, especially given her background of being ‘from a village’. The lady is currently actively campaigning for the forthcoming Delhi elections.

Why is a prime minister like Narendra Modi, who swept to power on the promise of development and not — as per his own avowals — communally divisive politics, soft on the Sadhvi and many others in his party who have made equally inflammatory statements? The answer to this question is the key to understanding the performance of this government in the last six months and its likely priorities in the balance period of its term.

The Sadhvi’s case is a metaphor. This first-time MP may have no formal education beyond school, or much domain knowledge about food processing which is her portfolio, but she is a member of the numerically significant Nishad community in UP, and her religiously divisive diatribes are crucial in consolidating dalit and backward-class votes for BJP. From this metaphor several inferences can be derived, and i will specifically mention four.

First, it appears that the emphasis on development by Modi, both during the elections and subsequently, was geared primarily to optimally harness the anti-incumbency mood against the lacklustre performance of UPA. The seductive slogan of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, or his statement seeking a moratorium for 10 years on religious divides, reinforced the belief in the middle class and beyond that he would be the messiah of effective governance.

But, while it is too early to pass definitive judgment, governance as yet has been at best average. There have been no decisive measures signifying a new vision. The budget was a curious halfway house between moribund continuity and reluctant reform. Important ministries such as HRD have seen a spate of unnecessary controversies. There has been volte face on black money. In spite of a favourable international economic climate with falling crude and commodity prices, agriculture, industrial production, exports and job creation are languishing. Ministers have been changed frequently, are often unprepared in Parliament and there is obvious over-centralisation of decision-making in the PMO.

Secondly, the strategy of religious polarisation is likely to stay. BJP’s electoral support base in northern India is narrow and largely restricted to some segments of the upper castes and urban areas. To maintain its winning momentum, it has to consolidate the support of the larger Hindu vote. Hence, while the BJP leadership harps on development, the cadre invents things like ‘love jihad’ to polarise votes on communal lines. The elections coming up in future, especially in UP and Bihar, will give much evidence of this strategy, notwithstanding all the rhetoric about development.

Thirdly, it is becoming evident that the fundamentalist core within BJP and the larger Sangh Parivar are no longer in control. The more important question is: does the PM want to rein them in? Days after Sadhvi Jyoti’s apology and the PM’s (mild) reprimand, Sakshi Maharaj, a sitting BJP MP, elevated Nathuram Godse to a patriot.

Around the same time, Yogi Adityanath, also a sitting MP, announced his resolve to spearhead mass reconversions of non-Hindus, a move specifically aimed at igniting incendiary religious polarisation. If this is the case of sitting MPs, fringe organisations like VHP, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Mahasabha believe their time has come given Modi’s curious silence on their increasing communal evangelism.

VHP’s Ashok Singhal in fact said publicly that BJP’s victory signifies the return of Hindu India. Chandra Prakash Kaushik, president of Hindu Mahasabha, has announced his resolve to put busts of Godse across India. And Rajeshwar Singh of Dharma Jagran Samiti has declared that his target is to make a Hindu Rashtra by 2021 since Muslims and Christians have no right to stay here.

Fourthly, and finally, in an atmosphere of increasing social instability due to politically incited religious tensions, it is more than likely that governance will take a further back seat. Policing priorities, sporadic riots, a pervasive sense of social suspicion and acrimony and frequent disruptions of legislative bodies may well overwhelm stable and sober long-term policymaking. Equally, there is no guarantee that cynically generated localised incidents will not provoke reta-liatory actions elsewhere, thereby amplifying the ambit of fear and instability.

Of course, there will be short-term electoral gains for BJP. But the party must ponder to think what the long-term consequences of such a policy will be, both for its developmental agenda and the composite fabric of India. The people of India are watching.

The writer, a former diplomat, represents JD(U) in Rajya Sabha

PM Modi threatens to quit if Sangh fronts don't behave

Modi's dream of prosperity is being ruined by idiots from his party - all Modi has to do is tell them to behave  I am glad finally he did.

Mike Ghouse
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Courtesy First report http://www.firstpost.com/politics/report-claims-pm-modi-threatens-to-quit-if-sangh-fronts-dont-behave-1922157.html

Faced with a barrage of controversial remarks by members of his own party MPs and the extended Sangh parivar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reported by a Marathi newspaper as having threatened to resign if the RSS - the BJP's parent organisation - does not immediately control such leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is facing flak for repeated controversies.

According to this report in theMaharashtra Times, Modi's threat has caused 'much anxiety' among Sangh front organisations, which have now decided to act tough against anyone speaking out of turn. While Firstpost cannot confirm the authenticity of the report, a threat at this stage appears to be nothing more beyond a mere warning by the PM.

Since the last two days, there have been futile discussions between Sangh Parivar and BJP leaders. Between the different organisations within the Sangh Parivar and its leaders, there seems to be a struggle to take up controversial issues. But after Modi expressed displeasure over such issues, the Sangh has decided to act strictly against such leaders and organisations, Maharashtra Times reports.

Over the last month, several MPs, including Union ministers, have made controversial remarks that have put Modi's government on the backfoot in Parliament.

“Aapko tay karna hai ki Dilli mein sarkar Ramzadon ki banegi ya haramzadon ki. Yeh aapka faisla hai (You must decide whether you want a government of those born of Ram or of those born illegitimately),” Union MoS Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti told voters in Delhi while campaigning for the party. Her remark forced an embarrassed Modi to 'strongly condemn' her remark in both Houses of Parliament.

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Soon after, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj made yet another controversial remark suggesting that Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse was a patriot. "I believe Nathuram Godse was also a nationalist and Mahatma Gandhiji also did a lot for the nation. Godse was an aggrieved person. He may have done something by mistake but was not an anti- national. He was a patriot," he said, but had to soon, reluctantly, retract his remarks in true politician style.

Earlier this month, organisations backed by the RSS claimed to have 'converted' or 'brought back home' over a hundred migrant Muslims from Bangladesh who had settled in an Agra slum. They were reportedly offered BPL cards as well as benefits of education and medical care.

Facing an uproar in Parliament, the BJP MP and the party's chief campaign manager in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, refused to be apologetic about the conversions and said it was home coming for Hindus who had converted away from the faith in the pat. He even defied his party's stand in Parliament and asserted that the 'ghar wapsi' programme would continue and they would convert Christians on 25 December.

A furious BJP, facing a backlash from the entire Opposition that has stalled several crucial bits of legislation, had to then ensure that Hindutva organisations cancelled the Christmas day programme, for which donations had been sought.

With all of these issues having cropped up over the last 30 days, there is enough reason for Modi, who rode to power on a development agenda, to be worried about such organisations, derailing his 'sabka sath sabka vikas' mission.

While Prime Minister Modi's threat to quit is pretty much superficial, given that he is clearly enjoying his tryst with power, he would do well to focus solely on developmental issues and ensure right wing organisations are put back in their place.

Hindutva forces hell bent on converting Muslims and Christians

Every human should be free to eat, drink, wear and believe whatever the hell he or she wants, and no one should be forced to do otherwise in a free country. It is the freedom that is allowing each one of us to be who we are out of our own volition. At no cost we should let this freedom be compromised.

This is the story of aggressive harassment by extremists among Hindus. Bajrang Dal is becoming to be ISIS or Hindu ISIS of India, when this is allowed, at the very end of the tunnel, no one, yes no one, including Hindus who do not subscribe to their extremism will be affected severely.

I am glad the entire Muslim world is condemning ISIS, they are tarnishing the name of Islam and there is nothing Islamic about them, they are rogues and freaks. Even the Talibans have washed hands off them.  Now, the entire Hindu world has Hindu-ISIS on their hands and I hope they condemn the harassment and threats they pose to fellow Indians.

We should have no problem if Muslims convert to Hinduism or Hindus to Christianity or any combination thereof, even if each group is lured financially to become one. The politicians switch parties for money or election; we change jobs for better money. Why shouldn't people switch for the same money, and meeting their dire needs of food, clothing and a source of income?

For years the extremists among Hindus have attacked Christians for bribing people to convert, and now they are doing the very same thing they accused others of. What Muslims factually or allegedly did in the past, should remain behind 1947. We are a new independent and free India and our story began on August 15, 1947 and we don't want India to be like what we shun.

Now, every Indian is a goddamned Indian regardless of his or her faith, caste, color, social, political or financial status, and we need to stand up against injustice to every Indian. We should rise above pettiness and speak up, before the extremism takes over and we have to regret.

I hope to write my 16th essay about Modi urging him to take the lead and speak up and not be a silent spectator and watch his dream, like the dream of 1.25 billion Indians go down the drain. We want pragati and not religion.

Mike Ghouse

www.MikeGhouse.net 

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TIMES OF INDIA

Lure of ration cards for food led to Agra 'reconversion'?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/Lure-of-ration-cards-led-to-Agra-reconversion/articleshow/45443004.cms 

AGRA: A day after a group of around 200 Muslims in Madhunagar slum-cluster here claimed they had "reconverted" to Hinduism, many of them on Tuesday said they were still Muslims, with some admitting that they had joined the RSS and Bajrang Dal-organized 'ghar vapsi' ceremony after being promised ration cards and houses. The saffron outfits, though, rubbished this claim, saying there was no inducement for "reconversion".

Farhan, a slum dweller, said, "If 40 people in saffron scarves come and stand on your head, you will do just as they want." Farhan was among those who had taken part in the puja, washed the feet of Hindu gods and also briefly worn vermillion on his forehead. On Tuesday, though, he said it was all for getting those men in "saffron scarves" off his back.

The re-conversion event was painted as "ghar vapsi" or re-conversion of Muslims who had Hindu ancestry. It was organized by the Dharma Jagran Samanvay Vibhag, an offshoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bajrang Dal. A 'shuddhikaran hawan' was also performed in the slum.

Bajrang Dal functionary Ajju Chauhan said the re-conversion had indeed taken place, and if the people were denying it, it was out of fear. "All these people have Hindu ancestors. They just did 'ghar vapsi'," he said, adding, "They were not lured by ration cards or houses. They wanted to lead clean lives."

District magistrate Pankaj Kumar and SSP Shalabh Mathur said no one had approached them in connection with the re-conversion event.


READ ALSO: RSS 're-converts' 200 Agra Muslims, says more in line


Ismail, who led the 200-odd Muslims in the event, said he offered namaz on Tuesday after no one from the saffron outfits turned up in their neighbourhood. "We're poor people and anyone can do anything with us. We can't afford to lose our lives over religion and conversion," Ismail said, adding that the promise of ration cards and houses had drawn many people.

"They first threatened to get us to vacate our homes. The land is owned by a Hindu. Later, they said that if we converted, we would get houses and better schooling for children," Ismail said. The women who had posed before cameramen on Monday sappeared withdrawn the day after and would not even allow the kids out to play.

Read this in Hindi: नया मोड़: RSS ने लालच देकर कराया धर्म परिवर्तन?