Two Faces of India

Your last paragraph is cpmpletely true and inspiring. "United we stand; divided we fall" was one of the slogans of the American Revolution, now it must become the slogan of a global revolution. Our futures and the futures of our children depend on it.

Video story today in the NYT about Pakistani men throwing acid on the faces of women and nothing is done about it. Everywhere there is rule by Islamic Law, this is the way women are treated. Stoned for being raped, disfigurement by acid, complete ruin of lives. This is the way of this religion. It is a "religion of peace" only when they have complete and utter control. It is what Islam teaches, it is what is in the Qurán. I lament so many Muslims trying to persuade the others that it is not. Of course it is. The only way to avoid an out and out war of civilizations, of modernity vs barbarism, is for there to be a giant civil war within Islam. Unfortunately, the terrorists and killers are correct when they say they are doing what The Prophet, Muhammed, Blessed be his Name, instructed. No compromise with infidels...period. Everyone who claims to be a Muslim and professes otherwise is misinformed or a heretic.

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2008/11/29/opinion/1194834033797/acid-attack.html

thought provoking article, i agree

Whoever kills a person [unjustly]??? it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind." (Qur'an, 5:32). Today, we join all Indians Muslims in expressing our outrage and our condemnation of this senseless spilling of innocent blood.
Nevertheless, their is a conspiracy theory for the gruesome incident, if you spare some time, not necessary you buy it : Important question Who are the beneficieries of Mumbai Terror? Hindu fascist organizations at this time of election 1. Unlike other terrorists, Terrorists in Mumbai have not demanded anything specific? They don't demand release of their co-prisoners nor demanded money... why?? what was their target then? 2. Unlike other Islamic Jehadis with beard and turbans, why Mumbai terrorists came with strange look - they wore jeans and T-shirts; clean-shaved and no turbans nor any sign of muslims terrorists we normally watch on the biased media? 3. Terrorists intention was to take hostages and take a ship and perhaps leave alive as assured by their directors 4. Mumbai terrorists (as shown by media) had close similarities with RSS cadres: Mumbai terrorist wearing an yellow band on his right hand as RSS cadres wears normally (see pictures). 5. Mumbai terrorists immediately find their targets by killing ATS leaders [Hemant Karakare, CP Ashok Kamthe & Vijay Salskar)in early hours of their terror- did they know something and zeroing on Praveen Togadia after Sadhvi?? How terrorists are so specific to clearly choose ATS officers? 6.Only one terrorists is caught alive (?), as all others killed as in every encounter in recent past? 7. Mumbai terrorists are very clear about their targets, they are well experience, about their hideouts in Taj and other places? Gujarat CM Modi hurry-up to Mumbai and declares that Pakistan is behind the attack without any doubt! [because he is the one who hired them]. Note: no other CMs goes to Mumbai..And he offers rewards to every military men killed of 1 crore unlike PM and LK Advani? Ironically wife of the slain officer turns down his offer. Guys, he is eyeing for the highest post in India. God save India from Modi. Even he offers aid to MahaRastra! from where the hell money is pouring on him. Cheap publicity and stunts as he is famous for. He has good experience as he did in his Gujrat lab. 8 The timing of Mumbay terror is well planned as Gujrat riots were, just before main elections! 9. We are told that they came from Pakistan by sea? Indian military in the sea were all presumed sleeping?? How many contradictions? coincidences? should happen enabling to carry out such a massive feat? We are told they came by speed boats? Yes, but not from Pakistan but from Gujarat! 10. It took continous 60 hours to stop the terrorism! and most of terrorists as usual got killed and the remaining one will also die for sure since confessed to the coercion statement of involving other usual country, an excuse for inaction.

What a complete bunch of BS !!!! This guy makes it sound like tehre is some systematic discrimihation against Muslims, in India - much like they do against non-Muslims in the Muslims countries! I cannot think of any other place where Muslims will be pampered as much and allowed to get away with anti-national activities so openly! Go read up your facts before you concoct your own story on what is the cause of terrorism! Look all around the world, Muslims CANNOT live in peace with any non-muslims! Wake up and smell the coffee dude! That is the tenet of that religion and it is stupid PC authors like you that do NOT see the reality!

Comment: i think it is a fair and balanced articel. many of the comments criticising the article here just show the extent to which the fascist propaganda of RSS, BJP, VHP etc have brainwashed the minds of many so called educated indians .. or perhaps they were rabid and bigoted to begin with ...such thinking led to the first partition of india and now will soon lead to a 2nd world war type genocide of indian muslims if left unchecked

Its about time that Hindus amd muslims unite and trust each other. They have no other options. Don't expect our leaders to tell you this. It does not serve their purpose.
If you dont know hoe to do that, go back to the teachings vedas and ponder in the teachings of Quran, you will find an answer, a very clear answer.

Its about time that Hindus amd muslims unite and trust each other. They have no other options. Don't expect our leaders to tell you this. It does not serve their purpose.
If you dont know hoe to do that, go back to the teachings vedas and ponder in the teachings of Quran, you will find an answer, a very clear answer.

Reading the comments given below, the point Sameer tried to project goes beyond proof. It is pathetic .
Does Hinduism teaches all this?
The comments clearly shows the ignorance and arrogance ingrained in the minds of those who call themselves enlightened indians. If you corner a small mouse in your room, it will eventaully jump on your face. try some day and see for your self.

Isn't it ironic that most Indians to this day have not come to terms with the partition of the indivisible Hindustan- that slice of heaven on earth where all are equal and well-and and yet Islamophobia and bias against Indian Muslims is so rampant? Are not those who became part of Pakistan lucky? At least they are not seen as the 'other' and the raison d' etre of all trouble by their own countrymen.

It doesn't matter whether Indian muslims are taken on-board the development express or not. Majority of muslims all over the world are religious fanatics suffering from inferiority comples and believe in what their radical religious leaders want them to belive. Their leaders are against so called development and progress (as understood by liberal societies) and propagate the view that it is the religious duty of every pious muslim to kill kaffirs (non-believers). They dream of a world with a single religion (Islam).

Does wealthy muslim nations like Saudi, USE, share their with non-muslims? We have given them pakistan. Problem solved in 1947. East and West pakistan have killed/converted minority hindus from their land. Now they are trying another partition of india. We need a leader like Bush. That is why, whenever I go to muslim gathering I hear they discussing Bush, Sharon, Advani is the enemy of pan-islamic goal.

It is true that there is no justification for acts of terror like the ones in Mumbai but the main thrust of the argument -that Muslims must be taken aboard India's voyage of greater economc and social prosperity- is one that any sane individual would face difficulty refuting. Muslims remain a largely impoverished lot in India. Painting 130 million Muslims in India as backward, angry and revenge-seeking thugs, as most here seem inclinced to do, and holding a whole community responsible for the carnage that would apall any Muslim as indeeed any other person, however poor, is disgusting.

Muslims do not want to educate their children in main stream schools even though the food and education is free. Instead they take pride in have children as big as a cricket team and send them to Madrasas and also take pride in imparting the education in Arabic, which in no way will be helpful in getting any main stream job. These are not theories these are my personal experiences with the people around me in India. Any democratic government can only show a way to the people it cannot force them to public schools.

Sameer! You write well but sorry about the analysis. Giving this outrageous and horrendous attack a sectarian flavor is unjustifiable. We are talking here of an institution of ???Terrorism??? which needs to be dealt vehemently irrespective of any caste or creed. It is mockery to say we react modestly and meekly to a catastrophic situation like this though it may be in name of God. It appears to be a very convenient way of giving it a name of ???Jihad??? or ???Khuda Kay Liye???.
All said and done but there is no question of bringing the muslim minority issue here or involving any religious sect at the cost of innocent lives we have lost in the combat for no fault of theirs???. Would like to add that I belong to no group or organization but just a reader with a passion to review and express my reaction to the article.
It takes me back to the response to 9/11 in the United States when the entire world became object of ridicule travelling to the U.S. I remember when one time passing through the security out of the 100???s of passengers just an old man of seventy and me were held back for investigation and treated with remorse just because the detectors beeped. It became a joke as just then a group of young men passed through the security effortlessly and later were found to be hijacking a plane???.. so, in this hi-tech world who blames whom has become the order of the day. Now we will have a hype of the security and every possible means to frisk and suspect all but the institution of terrorism appears to be one step ahead to shake us all and hope we can fight the challenge.

Muslims do not want to educate their children in main stream schools even though the food and education is free. Instead they take pride in have children as big as a cricket team and send them to Madrasas and also take pride in imparting the education in Arabic, which in no way will be helpful in getting any main stream job. These are not theories these are my personal experiences with the people around me in India. Any democratic government can only show a way to the people it cannot force them to public schools.

Not everyone in India is rich or prosperous! Nothing can be further from truth ! Also to assume that majority community is all rich and prosperous is complete lie and I am really ashamed at the knowledge base of Sameer Reddy. I am not sure what he is talking about ! Hindus from deprived classes as well as a significant population of all social classes in India live a life of poverty till this date. They have been the real disenfranchised lot !
Please DO NOT generalize and make sure irresponsible statement. I personally believe that you are not competent enough to write on this matter. If a close scrutiny is carried out of India's so called successful middle class, you cannot miss but notice following important attributes :
1. Strong emphasis on achieving higher Education (graduation at the minimum ) (that they tried to achieve even if they had economic poverty...)
2. Strong determination and belief in the future and positive attitude (in spite of all odds and broken system)
3. Strong ability to differentiate between religious preferences and being pragmatic and understanding socio/economic needs
4. Very responsible approach towards family and society

Most of the Muslims who feel disenfranchised do not have any of the above four attributes (and those who have are definitely not disenfranchised much more than one from the majority community) . On top of that they have following three major problems:
1. Strong affinity to that interpretation of ISLAM which is at odds with mainstream
2. Strongly and blind belief in dumb and sectarian leadership (Cave days tribal mentality)
3. Strong affinity to Shariah/Radicalism and consider themselves as mental slaves of ARABIAN CULTURE
4. Inherent hatred for non-Muslims (because they are kafirs)