Rediff always lives upto its expectations. This time it has highlighted the controversial figure of Aurangzeb to pander to fascists. By inciting passions it just puts the peace in a perilous situation. Assuming that all the allegations against him are true, what purpose does it solve to dig up history? I understand every religion has good and bad people, every religion has seculars, pseudo seculars and fascists but is it justified to hold the entire community responsible for the acts of a few? Reminders like these keep the hatred alive. Kindled passions fall easy prey to fascists on both sides. All this in the name to be %u2018transparent%u2019? A heavy price indeed! Mr. Francois Gautier just parroted the concerns of the RSS. His argument being that history should be told as it is to the younger generation because this will bring transparency. Well assuming correct history is not being told and the examples he cites, about France and French Catholics and Protestants, are indeed genuine, that doesn%u2019t prove anything because of many reasons- 1. The scars of partition of India are still fresh in the minds of Indians. Indian Hindus still see the partition as a blot on their history and the Pakistani Muslims see that as a victory. Problem comes when Indian Hindus start equating Pakistani Muslims to Indian Muslims. May be another 100 years to completely erase these scars. 2. That element of rationality is still not developed among a huge majority of Indians and Pakistanis alike. This is due to educational and economic reasons. They are easily persuaded by leaders. That element of having an opinion based on a thought process is still missing. We fell prey to this %u201CLord Curzon (Governor General of India 1895-99 and Viceroy 1899-1904, d.1925) was told by the Secretary of State for India, George Francis Hamilton, that they %u2019should so plan the educational text books that the differences between community and community are further strengthened%u2019. Another Viceroy, Lord Dufferin (1884-88), was advised by the Secretary of State in London that the %u2018division of religious feelings is greatly to our advantage%u2019, and that he expected %u2019some good as a result of your committee of inquiry on Indian education and on teaching material%u2019. %u2018We have maintained our power in India by playing-off one part against the other,%u2019 the Secretary of State for India reminded yet another Viceroy, Lord Elgin (1862-63), %u2018and we must continue to do so. Do all you can, therefore, to prevent all having a common feeling.%u2019[source] and sadly those deeply engraved lines of animosity still exists. But the bottom-line is rediff has once again played the irresponsible media. Controversies like these ensures hits and then who cares about the impact!
RE:THE TRUTH ABOUT AURANGZEB
by CG NAIR on Apr 08, 2007 08:22 PM Permalink
Dear Mike, it seems that atlast you have realised the truth. These are unnecesary econtroversies created by vested interests to make us fight each other in the name of Religion. There is nothing superior or inferior about any religion. All Religins basically tried to exploit their followers for meeting the vested interests of the priestly Class. Irrespective of Religion/Caste/Colour/Creed, we all are Indians and our constitution guarantees equal rights to every citizen. We should all devote our energy for eradication of superstitions from the minds of our fellow country men. All the best.
RE:THE TRUTH ABOUT AURANGZEB
by Mike Gandhi on Apr 08, 2007 10:42 PM Permalink
Dear Nair, There is one shlock in Ramayan "JAPARE JAKAR SATYA SENEHU, SAU MILIYE KACHOO NA SANDEHU"
It means if anybody by open mind and heart want something for the sake of humanity, he must get it. In other words if you distribute love, you will get love. If you distribute hate you will get hate.
