India on trial...... Political/Educational/Worldwide

[Aupmanyav]

It is legal in most European countries to marry one's first cousin; many of them do not even discriminate based on said cousin's gender. I suppose that means Indian ethics are intrinsically apart from Western ones?

That is true. The social prohibition among Hindus is generally for three generations on either side (paternal or maternal). Some take it to seven generations.

Then among Hindus as well as Muslims, there is a prohibition for inter-clan marriage. When Pakistan cricketer Shahin Shah Afridi got engaged to the daughter of another cricket legend, Shahid Afridi, Shahid clarified that they do not belong to the same Afridi clan. These prohibitions are taken very seriously and are a cause of 'honor killings'.

 

[Aupmanyav]

With Indian nationalism essentially developing into Hindu nationalism, .. and the logic of early 20th century nationalism demanded a single state for every nation.

I suppose one cannot fault Hindu right-wingers clinging to such notions of ethnostates, when so many of their Western comrades in the Nationalist Internationale are doing the same. It's not like they invented bigotry and purism centered around religion, or even modern Cultural Islamophobia.

That is hardly logical. It is an invitation to strife. That is what caused strife in Burkina-Faso, Sudan, Nigeria, Yogoslavia, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and India. Eventually people have to live together.

That is not true. Thousands of Muslims also died during Indian's independence struggle or in wars with Pakistan. My own two heroes are Ashfaqullah Khan who was hanged by the British at the age of 27 (1927), and Capt. Hanifuddin who died in Kargil war at the age of 25 (1999). Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hameed died in 1965 Pakistan war at the age of 32. He was awarded the highest Indian Military honor (Greatest Brave Solider - Param Vir Chakra).

Yes, there is a Hindu minority which seeks a Hindu India (Hindu Mahasabha), but it has never won even a single seat in national, state or local elections in 75-year history of Independent India. Democratic India has multiple safe-guards not to allow that to happen.

 

[Kooky]

That is hardly logical. It is an invitation to strife. That is what caused strife in Burkina-Faso, Sudan, Nigeria, Yogoslavia, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and India. Eventually people have to live together.

Yes, nationalism is always an invitation to strife. That is what Modi's BJP has been banking on since the party's inception, and it looks like he has succeeded admirably; people rarely seem to even mention the ongoing labor unrest due to anti-labor policies, too preoccupied with whatever wedge issue is the current focus of conservative-nationalist propaganda.

That is not true. Thousands of Muslims also died during Indian's independence struggle or in wars with Pakistan.

Actually, tens of thousands of Muslims died during India's independence struggle, but only a few of them wore uniforms; the majority were victims of ethnic violence by local governments and nationalist mobs.

I suppose you could conveniently blame all the deaths at the hand of India's military and police force on somebody else, perhaps some Pakistani or Bangladeshi politician, or some "Muslim terrorists" or Afghan migrant; like any nationalism, Hindu nationalism, too, is rarely wanting for readily available scapegoats.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Yes, nationalism is always an invitation to strife. That is what Modi's BJP has been banking on since the party's inception, and it looks like he has succeeded admirably; people rarely seem to even mention the ongoing labor unrest due to anti-labor policies, too preoccupied with whatever wedge issue is the current focus of conservative-nationalist propaganda.

Actually, tens of thousands of Muslims died during India's independence struggle, but only a few of them wore uniforms; the majority were victims of ethnic violence by local governments and nationalist mobs.

I suppose you could conveniently blame all the deaths at the hand of India's military and police force on somebody else, perhaps some Pakistani or Bangladeshi politician, or some "Muslim terrorists" or Afghan migrant; like any nationalism, Hindu nationalism, too, is rarely wanting for readily available scapegoats.

Labor protests will always be there - 'increase my salary, increase my salary, incrase my salary'. But there is a limit to what an industry can sustain. Giving-in for various reasons, Air-India landed in a debt crisis and finally had to be privatized.

Yes, the percentage of Muslims is less in Indian army (reports mention some 30,000). But this is because of two reasons. 1. Poor Muslims are sent to Madarsas where religious education is imparted but not the secular education necessary for enrollment in Army. That is 12-year school graduation. 2. Muslims are profitably engaged in other professions, agriculture, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters, car and refrigeration mechanics, food and restaurants, shop-keeping, etc. As for mob violence, both Hindus and Muslims have suffered. That happened in Godhra, Gujarat as well as in the recent riots in Delhi.

Don't blame the BJP government of today alone. For some 60 years (out of the total 75 years), India has been ruled by non-BJP parties including the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. This is BJP's third 5-year stint at the Center with a break of 10 years in-between when Nehru-Gandhis were at the helm. The current government has always gone by law. It does not have any discriminatory rules for Muslims. Our Supreme Court is very vigilant and would never tolerate it.

 

[Kooky]

Labor protests will always be there - 'increase my salary, increase my salary, incrase my salary'. But there is a limit to what an industry can sustain. Giving-in for various reasons, Air-India landed in a debt crisis and finally had to be privatized.

Of course, there is a limit to what capitalists will cut out of their profits to spread as breadcrumbs over the people who actually generate their wealth. Beyond that, it's bayonets all the way. This has always been the case.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Beyond that, it's bayonets all the way.

There are no bayonets in India. The government tried to bring in agricultural laws which would have benefited the marginalized farmers but they had to step back because of opposition from other parties and the rich farmers. These are the limitations of democracy in India.

 

[Kooky]

There are no bayonets in India. The government tried to bring in agricultural laws which would have benefited the marginalized farmers but they had to step back because of opposition from other parties and the rich farmers. These are the limitations of democracy in India.

The marginalized farmers seem to believe otherwise. I trust their assessment of their own way of life more than a conservative government that uses crude xenophobia to mask its pro-corporate policies.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Well, that is your view. Other people have different views. At the moment the farmers as well as the users of farm products are at a disadvantage., who benefits is the middle-man, the whole-sellers who form cartels. Corporitization will benefit the farmers as well as the users.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Of course, there is a limit to what capitalists will cut out of their profits to spread as breadcrumbs over the people who actually generate their wealth. Beyond that, it's bayonets all the way. This has always been the case.

They have to pay taxes also. There are no bayonets in India. Differences and conflicts will go on. Which country does not have it? By law, and under the eye of the Supreme Court, right to protest is fundamental and Indian government or any state government cannot stop protests. You are totally unaware of situation in India.
right to protest in Idia - Google Search

 

[Kooky]

They have to pay taxes also. There are no bayonets in India. Differences and conflicts will go on. Which country does not have it?

Indeed, which countries do not suppress their workers? None, really. The exploitation and oppression of the working class is a universal feature of capitalism. India is hardly special, except in terms of sheer scale.

By law, and under the eye of the Supreme Court, right to protest is fundamental and Indian government or any state government cannot stop protests. You are totally unaware of situation in India.
right to protest in Idia - Google Search

Do you actually believe that a constitutionally enshrined right to protest is unique to India?
Rights exist primarily for capitalists, or as fig leaf to deny the practical and material oppression and exploitation of the working class at the hands of their capitalist masters.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Do you actually believe that a constitutionally enshrined right to protest is unique to India?

Obviously, you have not even clicked the Google link that I provided.
There are problem with the unorganized sectors.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Here is the reply: https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2k1bjUzT0JCRzAxYnhsZVprWjVpZ0FQAQ?hl=en-IN&gl=IN&ceid=IN:en

The High Court of Karnataka has ruled that:
1. Hijab is not an essential item for following Islam and upholds its ban in class rooms,
2. The government order does not violate the Indian Constitution, School uniform is a reasonable restriction,
3.The State Education Board has the power to institute dress codes which should be followed by the students,
4. Uniform promotes harmony and common brotherhood,
5. If Hijab is allowed, the school uniform ceases to be uniform .. That would establish a swense of 'social-separateness', which is not desirable .. the accommodation which the petitioners seek (to wear Hijab in class) cannot be said to be desirable ..

Of course, those who differ from the high Courts decision have already petitioned the Indian Supreme
Court. One of the three judges which heard the Karnataka petitions, is a Muslim, Justice J. M. Khazi. I am sure that the Supreme Court bench which hears the petitions will also have at least one Muslim judge (Syed Abdul Nazeer) apart from other judges following different religions (perhaps Justice K. M. Joseph). That has been the tradition in such cases.