Well, you are actually proving that jinnah was secular as a person. Of course, he was a shrewd politician. He might have used religious differences just like nehru did. nehru and gandhi also are equally responsible for the pains of partition. However, people call them secular. The point is just that jinnah, as a person, was secular. Also, Shri Narendra Modi, the CM of Gujarat is actually secular. Being a staunch Hindu is the biggest proof of being secular because Hinduism is a secular way of life.
I totally agree with Raman on his analysis.I always felt that BJP & RSS have been un-decisive on most of issues specially in relation to pak.We have always been timid.Infact we shold be aggresive(after parliament& kashmir)If i cant be aggresive due to my compultions minimum i should be ASSERTIVE which none of the BJP leaderhas proved.That is why i like a lady for her decisions and vision YES INDRA GANDHI DR AJAY GABHIR
i agree with the views expressed in the article.What surprised me most the reaction of intelligencia in India which did not ask why the certificate of Pakistan is required for the person to be called a secular.This is the main reason that advani fell into the trap.He wanted to say most libral views on the land of communalists which are lebelled as seculars by Indian class since all these years.To praise Pakistan is considred an act of secularism by Indian Muslims.Those who wants the support of Indian Muslims should therefore support Pakistan.This is irony of Indian politics as they(the Indian Muslims)occupy most strategic position without whose support no Indian Union Government could be formed as they are deciding factor in more than 100 M.P.constituencies in India.Advani or no Advani,Hindutva has to comromise with this reality.
One of the several facets of Mr. Advani is that of a dispassionate scientist in analysing socio-political dynamics-his public life facet being another. It was that facet that was at display while he made those controversial statements. It was that mode of an academician and a historian that would have seized him at that moment while he let his guard down. Otherwise no explanation answers convincingly his statements; 1. he is too seasoned a politician (in its positive sense) to get gullibly flattered by his hosts to let his guard down. 2. He is quite aware of the finite degree of his stature and has enough knowledge that gained from 50 year experience, the inefficacy of taking a 180 degree turnaround to appear as a moderate. 3. He is respectable enough not to stoop to these Lalloo like strategies. Ironically, while his statements are a betrayal of all Indians irrespective of faith, only a section of Sangh parivar is seeking an apology. No politician of any party so far eulogised Jinnah. Being a leader of opposition and a former deputy prime minister he has a moral obligation to explain to the nation and to the legislature and the Govt., that sent him to Pakistan.
This article has left me totally dissapointed in rediff in allowing such a biased and xenophobic opinion to be called an article. Rather then promoting cross cultural relations you infact try to instigate hatred and revenge?.Mr jinnah did not cause pre partition riots and cause muslims and hindus to kill one another as much as Mr Gandhi did. Mob hysteria took over then as it takes over now.Infact your article(s)seem to blame every wrong giving on muslims and pakistanis in particular. Mr Advani was in government when 1000 of muslims died in the babri masjid riots,yet he was welcomed to Pakistan without hysteria. People like you instigate religous hatred and try and curtail harmony among different religious coumunities. You are no different then your much criticised 'religous extremists',just someone from the other end of the spectrum.You should lay your religous predujices aside and try and view life without a chip on your shoulder!
RE:Biased article
by Dev on Jun 09, 2005 09:56 PM Permalink
Dude, comparing Gandhi with Jinnah is like comparing Jesus with Hitler. Gandhi did not instigate people to kill each other. It was always Jinnah, he achieved what he had always wished for, but over the dead bodies of thousands of innocents. Get your facts correct. Moreover, during the demolition of Babri masjid, Advani was not in power, rather it was the Congress govt. led by PV Narsimha Rao.
Thank you for the wonderful,enlightening article. Indian leaders should learn to behave responsibly,especially when it comes to national interests. seema
This is in response to the article by B Raman regarding Advani falling to a plot by the ISI. It was suprising to see that Raman has written saying that the only reason that riots do not break out in South India is that we have not seen the cruelty of the Partition. That is like calling a South Indian an Idiot! The fact is that South Indians are not only educated but also a thoughtful lot who realise the futility of communal riots. There is a saying in South India saying that one should not spit looking upward cos the spit only lands on the person itself. Raman has been doing just that. It is also a hearty laugh reading that Advani should have asked about the 20 terrorists wanted by India. Raman should not forget that Advani is on the list of most wanted Indians in Pakistan and if he did ask anything about the wanted list, it would be a long time before Advani would be back in India!!! Besides one should not belittle the former Deputy Prime Ministers intellect when he makes statements like that one. He has only realised what Mr Raman has not realised-it is high time to solve differences with Pakistan and move ahead !! Rediff shouldnt encourage reports which indirectly harm India!
Couple of comments 1. I believe Advani was incorrect in giving credit to Jinnah when he did not know all the facts 2. This shows how poorly our leaders prepare for their travel abroad. Pakistan leaders atleast know to carry their honor when they go abroad.
