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14 25/05/2017 NEWS ART & CULTURE POLITICS RELIGION LITERATURE FASHION KIDS FILMS www.samajweekly.com Communal politics in India is primarily due to absence of land reforms; absence of process of secularization and failure to reduce the hold of clergy : Dr Ram Puniyani Dr Ram Puniyani has been one of the foremost voices against communalism and has been active in promoting communal amity and national integration through various engagements at the grassroots. A regular commentator on the important socio-political issues, Dr Ram Puniyani has written as well as edited many books on communalism and for secular polity in India. In this detailed conversations with activist-writer Vidya Bhushan Rawat, he explains various issues confronting the nation. Continued from Last <strong>Issue</strong> 233... VB : Attempt is being made to convert India into a US module of Presidential form of democracy which is thoroughly dominated by corporate funding. The tragedy in the United States is that despite the country of such a huge size and variety the corporate democracy has only allowed the two party systems. The power elite in India want the same thing. How dangerous is it to attempt India into and a model. RP: RSS seems to have realized that it may not be possible to replace Indian Constitution. They have been arguing for Presidential system from last quite some time. The main point is that RSS wants to do away with the diversity of the country, also Corporate World, which has a strong alliance with BJP also is more comfortable with the Presidential system.. With that system the voice of the marginalized will not have much place in influencing the policies of the country. The concerns of deprived, marginalized will have no place in the politicaleconomic policies] VB: In the past three years the Hindutva forces are fixing their agenda on the country. They are raising such issues which are difficult to counter by the political parties for the fear of losing the 'Hindu' votes. Whether it is 'terrorism', beef, cow or nationalism debate, it is aimed at occupying the sole moral high ground for being the 'sole' authority on the issue on behalf of India. Everyone else except them and their allies therefore becomes villain. How can such agendas are countered politically. RP: The identity based politics; the emotive issues are difficult to combat on the grounds of reason. A concerted campaign where all non communal political and social forces come together to struggle for real issues of society is the only way out. During UPA I and II, the major issues being discussed on regular basis were related to issues of basic rights as Indian citizens, the rights to employment, food, health, education, information and what have you. The social discourse has been shifted away from real issues to emotive issues. The only way is a concerted attempt by all those standing for secular democracy to come together and strengthen the social movements and political campaigns for these issues, issues related to survival and dignity.] VB: After the Uttar Pradesh government's order of closing slaughter houses the meat business in the state has come to virtual standstill. The industry has huge number of non Muslims too. There is a dark side of the story too. That India's 'pink revolution' which P r i m e Minister Modi talked during his electoral campaign in 2014 grew further during his tenure. Now, he seems to have forgotten that. Shouldn't Vidya Bhushan Rawat the government release a white paper on beef Industry and who is the owner of it and how much revenue it is bringing to India? RP : The idea of white paper on the issue of Cow slaughter, beef trade, cattle fares, theimportance of Cow /buffalo in agrarianeconomy is a good one. There is immense lack of information, gaps in popular knowledge about these issues. The knowledge of these will ensure that people don't then blindly support or ignore the Cow vigilantes. But the point is why this government should do this. Such a move will harm their political agenda. Probably a Peoples' white Paper on the issues may be a more realistic idea. VB: What do you think the idea behind ' anti Romeo Squad' by the Uttar Pradesh government? Government failed to protect individuals against the Khap dictates and yet it encouraged people to adopt anti constitutional provisions in denying youths to enjoy right to choice. Why, in your opinion, the Uttar Pradesh government adopted such tactics. RP:There are multiple goals behind this move. First it generally such squads promote vigilantism, which the ruling party can use in its own favor. Secondly it is a sort of continuation of their Love Jihad campaign to demonize Muslim youth in particular. And thirdly as you correctly say it is an assault on the freedom of Right to choose.' It also strengthens the patriarchal values of controlling the lives of girls. Demonetization failed but government wants to use the election results as an approval to it. What is your opinion it. Has the opposition failed in to raise this issue? RP : Demonetization is the case of learning how you can sell a bad idea in a successful way. One kept hoping that this move will boomerang on the Government. Their word of mouth propaganda mechanism is so strong and well lubricated that they could spread that this is a small sacrifice for the sake of the nation that the rich will suffer etc. Still there are large numbers of people who have suffered. The opposition did try to raise it but their efforts were too small compared to the propaganda might of BJP-RSS combine. VB: The recent incidents at Sukma and then in Kashmir are being used as a tool against the human rights defenders. The government is promoting the idea that all those who speak against human rights Dr Ram Puniyani violations are anti national. What is your view on the same? RP : This Government is very uncomfortable with the human rights defenders and those leading the movements for the rights of deprived and vulnerable sections of society. Right at the start they muzzled the funding of NGOs. They also want to assume hard muscular policies which are worsening the situation in these areas. It is their well programmed work due to which anybody disagreeing with them is labeled anti National. This also shows their faith in democratic dissidence is skin-deep; essentially they are having intolerant ideology of Hindu nationalism. VB: How do you respond to government initiative to deny JNU to provide opportunity to students in the PhD and M.Phil courses? Is not it a step against the Dalit backward students? How do they respond to it? RP : JNU has been special target for this Government as JNU is the bastion of liberal progressive voices where dissent is handled in a democratic way. These ethoshave strong roots in the principles of Indian nationalism. In JNU again apart from other aspects, the percentage of women, dalits, OBCs as students has been very good. This move of Government in reducing the seats for research has twin objects. On one hand they want to stifle the progressive nature of JNU, and on the other to reduce the opportunities for the marginalized sections. The movements which began from JNU and HCU need to take note of this and create a larger protest/campaign on this issue. VB: The issue of nationalism has put the other parties including Congress into a very defensive mode despite the facts the track record of the Hindu right wing is well known to us. Why are the parties on defensive and not able to carry the historic legacy of our freedom fighters who talked about an inclusive India? RP : India Nationalism has been the foundation of Congress in particular. This party has not much focused on the intellectual front to educate the people. The all round rise of Hindu nationalist ideology, from bottom to top, has lead to a situation where other parties seem to have been taken aback and they don't seem to be prepared to counter it ideologically. There arehoards of material which can come handy for these parties to counter the sectarian nationalist surge. The issue is that of ideological and political preparedness, which seems to be missing.] VB: In the normal Hindu discourse, Muslims are brutal and too conservative. How do you counter this particularly when Europe and America too suffer from Islamophobic tendencies? RP:This discourse is a construct, which has come up in two major ways. One, the British introduced communal historiography was picked up by Hindu Mahasabha and RSS. RSS shakhas started propagating it in a systematic way. Later other mechanisms were added to spread this propaganda far and wide. This is based on selective incidents. The large presentation of interaction of social life of Hindus and Muslims is missing in this discourse. The narrative of alliances of Muslim and Hindu kings has been erased in this version. What remain dominant in this, is, the aggressive 'foreign' Muslims versus noble native Hindus. With Ram Temple movement, this discourse found a strong vehicle for its propagation. The second component of this comes from the imperialist lust for oil resources. The promotion of Al Qaeda in some Madrassa in Pakistan, funded hugely by US created the monster of terrorism. To cap this retrograde step, the coining of phrase 'Islamic terrorism' by US media added further venom to this issue. In last couple of decades the migration of Muslims from ex colonies of European colonial powers, and then the migration from war torncountries have been worsening the situation. Islam as a religion has strong ethical component, while the present propaganda is based on some social practices and some versions of Islam which oppressive rulers have encouraged, like the Salafi version by Saudi Arabia. The consequent events, which are the product of this cancer of terrorism, have been adding on to the negative image of Islam and Muslims. These two major components of demonization of Islam and Muslims have been topped up by issues like triple talaq, polygamy and higher (poverty related) fertility among Muslims] VB : The powerful Hindu upper caste and powerful backward communities seems to join hand against Dalits and Muslims. The Hindutva is using the dominant communities in each region. How can the Dalits, Muslims, OBCs and adivasis get along against this onslaught? RP: Hindutvapolitics has used all means to ally with the upper castes and to co-opt other castes. The social engineering put into operation by RSS has confused the See on Page 23 3 Hindi Poem Dr. Amba Shankar Nagar Translator By Bhagwat Prasad Misra ‘NIYAS’ Hide and Seek A child crying came to his grandfather. The grandpa enquired ‘What’s the matter, child? ‘Grandpa! We were playing hide and seek. When my friend hid himself I found him out, but when it was my turn he left for his house without bothering to find me out.’ hearing this the grandfather became sad. There were tears in his eyes. The child asked ‘Why are you weeping, grandpa?’ ‘The mistake your friend has committed, has been committed by me as well. The Supreme Father found me out when I was lost, but when He hid himself, I forgot to search for him.’ The Sun, the Owl and the Crow Shit ! Is one who doesn’t have a foe, a man? Or, one who isn’t condemned, a man? How can an owl like the sunrise? and how can you stop the crow from crowing? After all the sun is sun. It is not an electric bulb. Two Doors This world is a house with two doors. On one is written “Exit’’ and on the other “Entrance.” The old depart from one door, while the young enter from the other.
www.samajweekly.com Chana Masala Chana Masala is a traditional Punjabi recipe. Also known as chhole masala, this recipe is made using boiled chickpeas, tomatoes and garam masala. It tastes great with Indian breads like naan, roti, parantha and poori. It is one of the most widely eaten dishes in India. With its mouthwatering, spicy and exotic flavour, it is a perfect dish to go for for you weekday breakfast, Sunday brunch or even as lunch. Pair it with a chilled glass of sweet lassi and you're done for the day. Tomato and garlic adds a tangy flavour to the dish which tastes amazing when paired with pooris aur bhaturas. If you're a spice junkie and have a special thing for everything spicy, then you can also alter this dish a bit by adding more green chillies as per your preference. Pair it with some exotic pickles and it will be a complete meal. • 2 1/2 cup soaked overnight chickpeas • 4 sliced green chilli • 5 cloves grated garlic • 2 1/2 tablespoon powd ered coriander powder • 1 teaspoon powdered red chilli • 4 tablespoon sunflower oil 2 chopped onion INGREDIENTS • 3 cup chopped tomato • 1 inch grated ginger • 1 teaspoon powdered turmeric • 2 1/2 tablespoon pow • dered cumin powder • 1 teaspoon powdered garam masala powder • 2 pinches powdered salt How to make Chana Masala Step 1 Heat oil in a pan over medium flame. Once the oil is sufficiently hot, add in chopped onions and saute them until golden brown. Keep stirring the onions as they might stick to the bottom of the pan. Once they have turned slightly pinkish-brown, add the ginger and garlic and reduce flame to low and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Step 2 Now add tomatoes, coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder and red chilli powder. Cook until the oil starts to separate. Add the chickpeas and pour 2 1/2 cups of water. Sprinkle salt and some coriander leaves. Cook for 10-12 minutes and keep stirring Step 3 Now add garam masala powder and stir to mix well. Cover the pan with a lid and allow the dish to cook on low flame for about 2 minutes so that the flavours are well absorbed with the chickpeas. Step 4 Once the dish is properly cooked, transfer it to a serving bowl and garnish with ginger juliennes and coriander leaves. Serve hot with rice or roti and even some pickles and raita of your choice. Chana Masala is best enjoyed when paired with a glass of chilled sweet lassi. 25/05/2017 15 Sikh model attired as bridegroom NEWS ART & CULTURE POLITICS RELIGION LITERATURE FASHION KIDS FILMS Final Reprive Om Puri’s last film to release with ‘A’ certificate and 19 cuts & edits NEW DELHI: Overruling the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) refusal to certify late actor Om Puri’s last film, Rambhajjan Zindabad, the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has recommended an adult certification for the film with the new title Omprakash Zindabad. The film was denied certification ostensibly for being “a satire on rape”, for “explicit and abusive language”, and for references to “castes and communities”. In its order, the FCAT, a tribunal that hears the appeals filed by film makers or producers who are aggrieved by the CBFC’s orders, also reproached the CBFC for denying certification to films that are eligible for ‘A’ (Adult) certificate. “…We commend to the CBFC that if a movie examined by it is capable of receiving certification with certain cuts, deletions, modifications and or additions in the disclaimer, then the CBFC may consider apprising the appellant of the same,” the FCAT has said in its order. As many as 19 cuts and edits have been made to the film, which was slated for a January release; among these are muting the words “izzat” (honour) “petticoat” and replacing the words “forward and backward” with “amir and gareeb” (rich and poor). steals the show in Pakistan Taranjeet Singh, the Sikh model, walked the ramp in a mustard and gold sherwani complete with a matching saffron turban and a sword in the hand. The model accompanying him was attired as a traditional Punjabi bride in a red ornate lehenga. The dressing style of a Sikh bridegroom was presented for the first time at a fashion show in Pakistan. The show was organised by Pakistani fashion designers Khadija and Ubaid Khan recently. Taranjeet Singh, the Sikh model, walked the ramp in a mustard and gold sherwani complete with a matching saffron turban and a sword in the hand. The model accompanying him was attired as a traditional Punjabi bride in a red ornate lehenga. “I wanted to show people in Pakistan how we dress up at Punjabi weddings. I convinced the makers of the show to include the Sikh bridegroom item in the show,” says Taranjeet. The makers of the show announced that this theme will be introduced in various fashion shows in Karachi, Islamabad and other places in Pakistan. Sikhs are a miniscule minority in Pakistan today but the religion has an extensive heritage and history in Pakistan. One of the most revered shrines of the community is located at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Johansson hooks up with Colin Jost Los Angeles : Actress Scarlett Johansson was spotted making out with "Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update" host Colin Jost. The actress had appeared for the "SNL" season finale, hosted by Dwayne Johnson, in which she played Ivanka Trump. After the show, the actress hit it off with Jost at the afterparty held at the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, which went on to the early hours of May 21 morning, reports pagesix.com. A witness said: "Scarlett and Colin were making out at the bar at the ‘SNL' season finale party at 30 Rock ... They would make out a bit, then go back to talking." Another source confirmed: "Scarlett and Colin were flirting and canoodling in full view of everyone at the afterparty, including the ‘SNL' cast and crew. Paresh Rawal says tie Arundhati Roy to army jeep, creates controversy NEW DELHI: Bollywood actor and BJP parliamentarian Paresh Rawal found himself in the middle of a Twitter storm on Monday after he said writer Arundhati Roy should be tied to an army jeep, suggesting she be used in a manner similar to a Kashmiri man in the Valley last month. “Instead of tying stone pelter on the army jeep tie Arundhati Roy!” the Lok Sabha member from Gujarat tweeted late on Sunday. It wasn’t clear what context he was speaking in. His comments drew condemnation from many users on Twitter, some seeing it as an attempt to incite violence by an elected public representative. Hitting out at Rawal, Congress general secretary Digivijaya Singh asked: “Why not (tie) the person who stitched the PDP-BJP alliance?” The April incident in which a Kashmiri man was tied to an army jeep, ostensibly as a human shield, sparked outrage in Kashmir. Rawal also endorsed a tweet by another user that suggested journalist Sagarika Ghose be treated similarly. Roy is an award-winning writer whose views on Kashmiri separatism has been a cause for controversy. “Wonderful sir, too good. You really are a model parliamentarian,” tweeted Sagarika Ghose in a seemingly sarcastic vein. Ghose is among Indian personalities routinely targeted by trolls for her political views. Rawal’s comments also drew support from many Twitter users. Union minister Smriti Irani, however, sought to distance the party, saying, “Nowhere will we support any violent message , against any individual.” THE PISTOL WAS REQUISITIONED BY THE BSF FROM THE PUNJAB POLICE ACADEMY IN OCTOBER 1969, WHERE IT HAD BEEN SINCE 1944 CHANDIGARH: A pistol used by freedom fighter Bhagat Singh is back in Punjab and will be displayed at the Hussainiwala border museum in Ferozepur district. The Border Security Force (BSF) gave this information to the Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday. Arun Kumar Tambe, a deputy inspector general of the BSF unit of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from where the pistol was recently retrieved, told the HC that orders were issued for the Bhagat Singh’s pistol to be displayed at Hussainiwala move on April 25 by the BSF headquarters. Hussainiwala houses a memorial to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, where they were cremated. The information was given during resumed hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate HC Arora seeking retrieval of the pistol from the BSF museum in Indore for displaying it at a museum in Khatkar Kalan, Bhagat Singh’s native village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar district, formerly Nawanshahr. All other articles related to Bhagat Singh are displayed there. The last bullet fired from the .32- mm Colt automatic pistol killed British assistant superintendent of police John Saunders on December 17, 1928. The pistol was requisitioned by the BSF from the Punjab Police Academy in Phillaur in October 1969, where it had been since 1944, three years before Partition, on being received from the officials in Lahore. In November 2016, an English daily reported about the pistol being displayed at the BSF museum in Indore.
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