December 17, 2008

Wrong, right

One Antulay was once well-known for his shenanigans with cement in the late 1970s. I can't see why he was ever rehabilitated after that disgrace, but that's the way with politics, it seems.

Anyway, the same Antulay said two things today.

In the first, I believe he is entirely wrong. Hemant Karkare was killed by the terrorists who attacked Bombay three weeks ago. It's a great tragedy, especially given his reputation and his diligent pursuit of the Malegaon investigation, but I don't believe there's anything more to it, as Antulay wants to suggest.

In the second, I believe Antulay is entirely right. Communal violence is terrorism no less than the attack on Bombay three weeks ago, no less than the various bomb blasts we've been through. Its perpetrators and instigators deserve to be seen that way and punished that way.

24 comments:

Rahul Siddharthan said...

I sometimes wonder whether you're deliberately trying to provoke the nutjobs that have invaded your last two posts. Now I'm convinced you are...

The results are entertaining in a way, but extremely dismaying: but I suppose we need to know just how ugly the bigotry of certain people can get -- and how weaselly they can be. "All Hindus condemn riots." "So will you condemn the Gujarat massacre?" "[silence]". and "I'll condemn Gujarat if you condemn some irrelevant history." "I condemn that history." "[silence]"

If most BJP leaders are equally weaselly, no wonder the party is floundering in the post-Vajpayee era.

Dilip D'Souza said...

Rahul, I swear I intend no provocation! Someone I was on the pohone to this evening mentioned Antulay's pronouncements, and I thought they deserved some comment (especially a reminder of Antulay's shady past). I wrote it up, then got on the web to post it, and what do I find? Plenty of comments about Antulay! Should have had the sense to check my own blog comments first -- that's often where I first hear news.

The "results" you mention are indeed dismaying. But if it shows up these guys for the bigots they are, maybe it's not so dismaying.

Anonymous said...

Rahul - My oh my, you are so humble.

- Surya

Anonymous said...

I think we differ as when one starts considering injustice. Injustice for you starts at 2002, injustice for some starts centuries and continues through partition, bangladesh war, throwing out of kashmiri hindus and current bombings.

Nobody is saying don't condemn Gujrat, punish the guilty but don't turn a blind eye to some other events.

Many people haven't received justice. voice their concerns as well not just of a so called fake minority (150 million is no minority).

Please stand for justice for all not a minority appeasing politics.

Anonymous said...

Let Dilip voice his concern for Kashmiri hindus, 1984, in every post along with the Gujrat riots and everyone will support him.

He sounds too biased.

Also how does a religious group that rules india for 400 years figure majorly under poverty. Who is to blame here? 40% under poverty line, looks like someone is having uncontrolled children, no education, only fatwahs and thoughts of blowing themselves up.

Rahul Siddharthan said...

I am truly awe-inspired.

Three days ago, two posts ago, Dilip talks about the killing of 3000 Sikhs in 1984. In the comments to that post, Dilip's past discussion of the Kashmiri pandits is also brought up, with links. And today we are told "Let Dilip voice his concern for Kashmiri hindus, 1984, in every post along with the Gujrat riots and everyone will support him."

Dilip, where do you find these people? Or where do these people find you? Do they actually exist or is it some sort of spambot?

Anonymous said...

Rahul,

I got into it since I saw you trying to engage them, but from what may be longer experience on dcubed, my0.02: its not worth it.

regards,
Jai

Anonymous said...

Rahul,

Have you lost it?

Go and read Dilip's past 50 blogs and lets see how many times 1984/Kasmiri hindus/bangladesh war rape victims figure on them Vs Gujrat riots.

Do us a favor, go do this exercise and report back.

Anonymous said...

Also have they got justice that we stop talking about them.

By that logic, dilip should soon drop Gujrat and pick another injustice to fight against.

Anonymous said...

Rahul,

u r right abt google search. I agree i should have googled. Thanks.

Thats a side issue.

But why are we not talking abt it in every post?

Has someone asked them to come back and given them security?

Anonymous said...

On topic, the only quibble I have is with the differentiator "communal", naxal violence for just one example is just as terroristic.

regards,
Jai

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I stumbled across this blog and this is my 1cent (reduced from 2 due to current economic climate).....some comments on your post:
1. Mr. Antulay is correct in raising questions, an expression of his right to free speech. The forum he chose and the speculative line of thought, come across as self serving. As a minister he could have just as easily followed up on his doubts forcefully, behind closed doors. Not to mention, it draws attention to only Mr. Karkare's killing.....what about all the others?
2. It appears that he had expressed apprehension that tougher new anti terror laws could be misused, hinting that minorities were in the line of fire (reported by the Times of India, dated Dec 18th).....so his stance on either communal violence/terrorism could be opportunistic?

Rahul Siddharthan said...

I'm now fairly convinced it's a spambot. Certainly it doesn't come close to passing the Turing test: it has variations on only one canned answer for every question, "what about [random historical grievance]" and why don't you talk about it in every post".

Anonymous said...

There are so many things to condemn in this world. One can easily end up protesting thro'out ones whole life.

--SK

Anonymous said...

The plight of Muslims is due to their adamant and dogmatic leadership. Their leadership should learn pragmatism, give and take.

They could have said to Rajiv Gandhi.. ok you take Babri Masjid but implement something like the Rajendra Sachar report in full.

In a democracy no group can have it all for themselves...we'll have to meet somewhere in the middle.

Anonymous said...

The social transformation that happened in Tamil Nadu between 1950s to 1980s was acheived without the firing of a single bullet. No swords were ever drawn from the sheath.

I belong to the community that was at the receiving end of this transformation. However I'm proud of the fact it was done without an iota of violence.... a feat unparalled in human civilsation.

Rest of the communities in India should learn from this example.

--SK

Anonymous said...

Rahul,

I will let you enjoy your imaginary thoughts.

If asking for impartiality is too much then yes, call me a spambot. I have no problems.

Stop believing that your view of the world is only the one that makes sense.

I condone violence and would like all accused punished, but it should happen fairly, no minority appeasing politics please.

Punish the guilty in Gujrat.

Anonymous said...

Dilip, You obervation 'Anyway, the same Antulay said two things today' leaves me scrathing my head.

Implies to me that you're ambivalent on Antulay. Traitors like him aspire for Caliphate...wolf in sheeps skin...Qaida atleast has come out in the open leaving the public in no doubt. He should roundly and squarely condemned.

Anonymous said...

Why did Antulay had to wait till yesterday to fight for Communal riot bill

he had ample time for the last 4 years to get it done. he kept quiet becuse he didn't want to lose his cabinet post.

Anonymous said...

Tactical move initiated by Saudi sponsors to kill the FIA bill.

This bill will be a big blow on Saudi propaganda, finanacing..

this blog will not understand (or refuse to understand) such tactics. They seem to think that 'all that glitters is gold'.naive people

Anonymous said...

Via the guy who Dilip would rather not be named (sorry, guy. got to have lines), and IndianMuslims, I came to know one example of why opinions like antulay's may get play:

http://indianmuslims.in/20-years-of-hashimpura-massacre/

shocking, shameful, and why should this be only indianmuslims?

regards,
Jai

Anonymous said...

I did tell you that Antulay's was a tactical move by Saudi handlers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Support_for_Antulay_building_in_Pakistan/articleshow/3865409.cms

Anonymous said...

He has deliberately given Pak a stick ( based on lies which that some in this blog might believe) to beat us with.

ankan said...

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-real-enemies/400963/