The “Hindu way” of promoting “thomas myth” – how the so-called historians have been hysterical than historical in spreading such myth!
How S. Muthaiah used to promote “Thomas myth”: It has been usual for the unblushing Christians of Chennai to take every opportunity to spread the myth of thomas through media, wherever possible. Though, the former archbishop Arulappa and his men got into forgery, court cases, jail, out-of-court compromise etc., they have been relentless and continue to indulge in such theological frauds with their mite. Unfortunately, now, “The Hindu” has been aiding and abetting in spreading the myth. Earlier, S. Muthaiah (1930-2019) used to accommodate such myths, wherever possible. In fact, when, Ishwar Sharan recorded in his book “Mylapore Kapeleswarar Temple and the Myth of St.Thomas,” he even responded in his column defending himself. Ishwara Sharan and I used to write letters to the editor of “The Hindu,” but, it never cared to publish anything. However, it is evident that Muthaiah had read them, as he responded by mentioning name in his “Madras Miacelleny” columns. Anyway, since he expired, his services in this regard automatically ended.
N. Ram, Mariam Chandy and others: Now the trend has been perhaps continuing, after N. Ram marrying Mariyam Chandi and “The Hindu” accommodates graciously to accommodate “the Thomas myth.” I pointed out in my blogs about the earlier occasions[1]. Recently, Nevidita Louis has started her enterprise using every opportunity to make discourses about the myth[2]. In her “organized” walk also, she did that in 2020[3]. Recently, her talk was scheduled at Roja Muthaiah Library, but, suddenly announced that it has been postponed. Then, how such “Thomas myth promotors” have been increasing day by day thriving on such myth[4] has also been pointed out[5]. Really, it is intriguing how Geeta Padmanabhan, Subhashini Tremmel, “The Hindu” Journalist College – students, Temple-“historians” and others have also been taking in such narratives[6]. Therefore, it is evident that such myth-promoting activities have been going on in an orchestrated and well-planned manner with influential power operating from many sources. Here, the so-called “Hindutwa” guys, gangs and the right-wingers have not been matching them by any means. As perhaps, the myth-promoting experts and historians have to safeguard their credentials, they adopt the method of making two sets of news appearing on the same day, so that one- would be normally appearing and another- as usual myth promoting.
25-11-2023 Heritage walk on the “Parangi Malai / Thomas Mount”: A group of residents participated in a heritage walk at St. Thomas Mount on 25-11-2023, Saturday, exploring various aspects of fieldwork for the Great Trigonometrical Survey and the heritage of old settlements in the area. Starting the walk, organised by The Hindu Made of Chennai as part of Heritage Week, at the foot of St. Thomas Mount, historian Thirupurasundari Sevvel from Nam Veedu, Nam Oor, Nam Kadhai covered various heritage aspects associated with the locality and the role played by various persons and communities in the development of the heritage value of St. Thomas Mount, otherwise known as Parangimalai[7]. “There are many reasons to celebrate our city. One is to understand and acknowledge the various contributions and support from different communities and groups — Portuguese connect, Armenian contribution, Anglo-Indian legacy and the various paintings and accounts from yesteryears. While climbing the St. Thomas mount, we can hear the temple bells and the prayers from the mosque as we reach to hear the songs from the church,” said the historian[8].
The Great Trigonometrical Survey on April 10, 1802 started here: Pointing to the oral tradition of St. Thomas Mount, otherwise known as Parangimalai, The group focused on discussing the heritage conservation initiatives and the metal bust in remembrance of the Survey, also located at the Church complex. “By extension, it is also the name of the neighbourhood surrounding the hillock. …St. Thomas Mount is the place where William Lambton started his fieldwork for the Great Trigonometrical Survey on April 10, 1802. He was the Lieutenant Colonel, who headed the large-scale trigonometrical survey across the width of the peninsula of India and went on a mission for two decades to map the extent of British India,” she said.
How GTS was carried on: “There was a need to understand how much territory of India they really controlled and wanted to scientifically and precisely measure. One of the surveys was the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India. The triangulation method had been perfected to measure land. It was started in Madras, as Madras already had a School of Survey set up for Anglo-Indian orphans near Fort St. George on Poonamallee High Road. The Fort St. George School of Survey was rechristened as the College of Engineering, Guindy later,” she said. As the group came down the mount, the historian explained the significance of St. Thomas Charnockite, also known as Pallavaram granite, a type of rock used for the pathway and its significance in export.
The Portuguese built the Church in 1523: The St. Thomas Mount National Shrine at St Thomas Mount, known as “Parangimalai” in the vernacular, is celebrating its 500th anniversary[9]. Built in 1523 by the Portuguese, it figures among the oldest churches in Chennai[10]. The hillock is associated with the apostle St. Thomas as he is believed to have attained martyrdom on it. The church is said to have served as a lighthouse for the Portuguese and Armenian ships and vessels in the Bay of Bengal in the 16th and 17th centuries. Without buildings of the kind existing now, there is reason to believe that these ships had an unobstructed view of the mount. When sailors saw the Church they offered prayers for a safe voyage and then discharged from their artillery in salutation, says a note on the official website of the church – stthomasmountnationalshrine.org.
Hindu temple destroyed by the Portuguese not mentioned: The shrine along with the place surrounding has witnessed considerable change over the years. According to The Hindu Archives, as the church is situated near the airport, its steeple caused some inconvenience during the landing of an aircraft. The 68-foot steeple of the church was cut by 14 feet to ensure greater safety of aircraft flying over it and this was done without altering the elegance of the church, says a report in The Hindu pages of August 1970. However, the historian does not mention how a temple there was demolished and the church built. Ironically, the former archbishop Arulappa clearly recorded in his book that there was a temple pointing out a “chakra” stone recovered there underground, when the Portuguese tried to build the church at the same point.
The visit of the Pope etc: Significant visits- Even before the place was proclaimed a national shrine in January 2010, it attracted people from various parts of India and abroad. Pope John Paul II visited the place on February 5, 1986. The Pontiff greeted in Tamil (saying ‘vanakkam) and then a statue was built to remember Papal’s visit. Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi along with his wife Flavia Franzonio is another celebrity who visited the place on February 11, 2007. The plans -Father Michael A.D., shrine rector, St. Thomas Mount National Shrine, says the jubilee year celebrations started last year and they plan to conclude it in May/June of 2024. “A calvary dedicated to St. Thomas has been specially created to explain to the public the significance the life of the saint holds for the Christian community,” says Father Michael. On December 8, the feast of the patron saint of the Church “Our Lady of Expectation” will be celebrated in a grand manner. Thus, we can expect more narratives, discourses and news appearing in “The Hindu” etc.
[1] Vedaprakash, Christian music, Christian Tamil music, Christian keerthanais and Kutchery: All with “Thomas myth”, the way, Nivedita Louis spreads it!, July 06, 2020.
[7] The Hindu, Heritage walk exploring St. Thomas Mount held in Chennai, THE HINDU BUREAU, November 26, 2023 12:29 am | Updated 12:45 pm IST – CHENNAI.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat speech – what it implied and what is the message sent to all Indians?
What RSS or BJP has done for the Hindu religion politically?: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday 01-06-2023 said instead of showing our strength to the enemies on the country’s borders, we are fighting among ourselves[1]. Every citizen of India should make efforts for enhancing the country’s unity and integrity, he said, speaking at the valediction ceremony of the `Sangh Shiksha Varg’ (officers’ training camp for RSS cadres) here in Nagpur[2]. Thus, his speech translated into English has been cryptic, couched and embedded with a message to the trainers who attended the programme there. In recent times, for conservatives, traditionalists and moderates, there has been a strong feeling that under the guise of “Hindutwa,” “BJP-Hinduism,” and such other expressions and political activism, the Hindu religion is diluted and even sacrificed for the political end. Hindus have started a fear that even BJP or RSS have been trying to exploit them using the “Hindu” card, but only capturing power, because, in reality, the Hindus of India have not gained anything. Economically and politically, they have been losing much on many accounts.
Has India really benefited from the vaccine diplomacy by rupee-dollar parity?: He pointed out that India did well among all countries during the global economic crisis and later the COVID-19 pandemic, he said[3], adding that India has got the G20 presidency this year and “this pride can be felt.” That India has been diplomatically winning the hearts of many global countries and also helping them in a unique way. The vaccine diplomacy has worked well, but, the dollar price has been increasing and the Indian economy has not been favourable to the Indians. Middle class, Lower Middle class and the poor Indians have been suffering only. While the salaried Indians are fleeced with taxes, the poor Indians are not getting back for their hard work. They just work, earn salaries, consume for their requirements, pay taxes and again go for work. Thus, the cycle continues.
Have Hindus gained or lost during the last 75 years?: He explained that, “There are several schisms related to religion and creed in our society, Bhagwat said[4]. Yes, Judaism, Persian, Mohammedanism, Islam, Christianity and other faiths might have entered India during the course of time. But, the Indians with all the different faiths are one only by all other factors. The Mohammedans and Christians have still been controlling and ruling 80% of Hindus. Though, the politicians have been Hindus or having Hindu names, they have been secularists or anti-Hindus working against the interests of Hindus. While such anti-Hindu forces work openly in the states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, Punjab, north-eastern states etc., they operate stealthily under the secularists in other states. How billions of temple properties are looted by these groups has been revealed through many-many Supreme and High court judgments. They are not reviewed, appealed against, but allowed to die a natural death.
Can Indians be united to fight the enemies on the borders?: “We are not showing our strength to the enemies sitting on the border, but we are fighting among ourselves[5], by telling this, he cautioned that Indians should take care of the border conflicts, aggression across the borders and other intrusions, only by supporting the Indian Government and not supporting to the foreign and imported ideologies. It is well known, being Indians, many ideologists, politically, religiously and other affiliations have been supporting the foreign forces, that is not acceptable. If such foreign-affiliated ideologists are analyzed, they are found to be Hindus only mostly. How then, “Hindus” could have been involved in such antinational, anti-India activities? It is unbelievable that “Hindus” could have been smugglers, criminals, tax evaders, bringing shame to Indian society and destroying Indian culture, tradition, heritage and civilization.
How and why the above 60 Hindus and staunch ideologists are ignored by RSS and BJP?: “We are forgetting that we are one country,” the Sangh chief said[6]. “Everyone should make efforts for (enhancing) India’s unity and integrity[7]. And if there are any shortcomings, we must all work on them,” he added[8]. Here, for each line, one page explanation can be given. Of course, political power, postings, money, comforts, luxurious life and other factors have corrupted BJP and RSS too. Many newcomers of the last 20-30 years have been questioning the 40-60 years of experienced people. Neglecting, and ignoring above 60 has been the hallmark of such new groups created and formed. They want to exploit, extract and such what they want from the old people, but, they do not care for them. Many new people, ideologists and money-making agents have infiltrated and they have been spoiling the Hindu spirit and spirituality also.
Indians should work for the unity and integrity of India: In no other country, citizens of a country talks ill of his / her own country. Or spreads negative aspects forgetting that they are also responsible for such negativity. They should ask themselves, what positive things they have done or contributed to the country during their life time. Economically, socially, politically or in any other manner, what they have contributed to our country during the 75 years. The regional political parties have been encouraged under the guise of encouraging the geographical identity, coupled with language. Thus, states have been formed based on language, but, now, that has been proved wrong, as Telugu-speaking Indians have two states. Of course, Punjabi and Bengali speaking Indians have been divided into two Indian states and separate countries also. Here, religion, language could not unite the people together. Therefore, Indians should work for the unity and integrity of India.
India is safe for Islam and Muslims: Some religions were from outside India, and “we had wars with them,” Bhagwat said. “But the outsiders have gone. Now everyone is an insider. Still, there are people here under the influence (of outsiders) and they are our people…this has to be understood. That is just because they have been the believers of such imported or imposed religions, they think that they have been superior, they have been the progeny of the past-rulers and therefore, they are destined to rule again and therefore, all Indians are their subjects, slaves or otherwise. One day or the other day, they would again rule the country and all would become their subjects. So he warned again, “If there is any shortcoming in their thinking, then reforming (them) is our responsibility[9]. “Outsiders have gone, but practice of Islam’s is secure here for centuries,” he noted[10]. Some people support the notion that there was no caste discrimination in India in the past, Bhagwat said, adding that one has to accept that “injustice (on account of the caste system) has taken place in our country.” “We carry the glory of our ancestors, but we also have to repay the debts (of their mistakes),” the Sangh chief said. Thus, even the modern-day evils and the medieval practices affect Indian society in any form, they have to be checked and eradicated and no such blunders could be encouraged and accommodated hereafter in any form.
[1] India Today, Fighting among ourselves instead of showing strength to enemies at border: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Press Trust of India, Nagpur,UPDATED: Jun 2, 2023 07:02 IST
[3] The Telegraph, Instead of showing strength to enemies sitting on borders, we are fighting among ourselves: RSS chief, PTI Nagpur Published 01.06.23, 10:49 PM.
[7] Business Standard, Every citizen should work towards enhancing integrity of India: RSS chief, First Published: Jun 01 2023 | 11:33 PM IST, Last Updated : Jun 01 2023 | 11:33 PM IST
[9] Indian Express, ‘Where is Islam safe other than India?’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur, By: Express News Service, Updated: June 4, 2023 15:42 IST.
Hinduphobia – Henry Jackson Society report says Hindus are dubbed as kafirs and herbivores and they have to convert to Islam to go to heaven!
UK ruled the world, highly civilized and excelled in everything, but, how racism is still followed there?: Indians are definitely surprised to learn that the British schools have such type of discrimination on many accounts – religion, belief, philosophy, language, race etc., in spite of the fact that the British ruled the world, they have been highly civilized, and excelled in everything and so on. Occasionally, news used to come out informing that there were racial riots in England, where Indians were beaten up and even killed also. Such news appeared in the USA very often (including dot busters), in South Africa in recent times. Perhaps, such news has been common in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Islamic countries regularly, mainly due to religion. In most of the cases, religious superiority has been the main criterion to condemn, attack and even kill Indians (Hindus). In other words, the non-Hindu Christian and Mohammedan (Islamic) religions always claim that they have been the true religions with the revealed books, whereas others, including Hindus have been only heathens, infidels, kafirs, pagans and so on.
Can Indians research about others?: Even today, there have been certain ideologists who go on claim that the British only formed “India,” they only gave all political principles, institutions, and infrastructure like railways, Universities, hospitals and so on. In other words, had they not given all those things, Indians would have been living in the worst conditions, perhaps worst than any other poor country without any facilities. India and Indians are continued to be researched by the experts of the UK, USA and other countries and they have written about India and Indians and Indians have to accept what they or others say and write about them. Indians do not know as to whether Indians have gone to those countries studied and researched their culture, tradition, heritage and civilization and say and write about them. Suppose, if they have not done so, if they start doing now, whether they/ Indians would be allowed to do so in their respective countries. Whether they are allowed to pursue such studies in their respective universities and schools of expertise to bring out theses, papers and books.
Muslim students bully Hindu classmates, pressure them to convert to Islam: Report reveals ‘Hinduphobia’ in UK schools. Citing incidents like Hindu students being bullied to convert to Islam by Muslim classmates, a report by the think tank Henry Jackson Society has claimed that Hinduphobia is rampant in UK schools[1]. In one incident, beef was thrown at a Hindu pupil, the report added[2]. 51% of Hindu parents say kids are bullied over religion. ‘Anti-Hindu Hate in Schools’, by the counter-terrorism think-tank Henry Jackson Society, found that 51 percent of Hindu parents surveyed reported that their child faced anti-Hindu hate at school. It also recorded that teaching on Hinduism was reported by some participants of the study as fostering religious discrimination towards Hindu pupils.
Hindus dubbed as kafirs and herbivores: The study even details how Muslim pupils told their Indian classmates to convert to Islam, which would make their lives “so much easier”. The sub-section for Islamist extremism detailed references to Islamic supremacy, calls for Hindus to convert as well as threats of hell for disbelievers. The report mentions instances where Muslim pupils have used terms such as “kaffir” for their Hindu classmates and the parents of the students even said that their kids are being brainwashed to convert to Islam[3]. The usual daunting[4] – “Harassed and told that if they convert to Islam, their life will become so much easier (i.e. bullying will stop)” or “You aren’t going to survive very long… If you want to go to paradise, you’ll have to come to Islam… Hindus are the herbivores at the bottom of the food chain, we will eat you up.”
Discrimination against Hinduism teaching in schools: Fewer than 1 per cent of the schools with Indian pupils, queried by Freedom of Information (FOI), reported any anti-Hindu incident in the last five years, the study showed. The report, Anti-Hindu hate in schools, highlights that Hindu students have to go through bullying and it even detailed that such hatred propagated through the teaching of Hinduism in schools. “This report highlights the prevalence of discrimination against Hindus in British schools, with 51 per cent of Hindu parents surveyed reporting that their child has suffered anti-Hindu hate at school,” the report concludes. “The findings underscore the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding of the Hindu experience in schools and further research into other lesser-known types of prejudices that may be manifesting in Britain’s classrooms. It highlights the need for more specific and accurate reporting mechanisms to capture such incidents it notes.
Religious Education (RE) is compulsory in schools in England: Religious Education (RE) is compulsory in schools in England up to the age of 16, with the option to take it as an exam module under the GCSE curriculum. The report’s analysis is based on freedom of information (FOI) requests from 1,000 schools around the country, alongside survey results from 988 parents about the experience of schoolchildren. “This report has shown a torch on an important issue. If we have children fearful of going to school, that is not acceptable regardless of their faith,” said Baroness Sandip Verma, during a launch event for the report.
India-Pakistan cricket match can be exploited by the Muslims: Charlotte Littlewood, the author of the report, said her focus on schools emerged over the course of her analysis of the violence that broke out between Hindu and Muslim communities in Leicester last year, in the wake of an India-Pakistan cricket match in the Asia Cup held in Dubai at the end of August. “What we found was that teachers were playing into the problem, including covering reductive and in some places prejudiced views of Hinduism, said Littlewood. “If we are to be an equal Britain moving forward, we have to tackle all forms of hate in our classrooms,” she said.
Discrimination exhibited in the classroom belittling their deities: Her report notes that some of the discrimination exhibited in the classroom showed similarities to the manifestations of hate witnessed during the unrest in Leicester between Hindus and Muslims. “There were numerous instances of derogatory references made towards Hindus, such as mocking their vegetarianism and belittling their deities, which were also made by Islamist extremists rallying against the Hindu community in Leicester. Twenty mentions of Hindus being held responsible for politics and social issues in India is reminiscent of the treatment of Jews with regard to Israel and of Muslims in the post-9/11 climate, the report notes. It makes a series of recommendations for the government, including the need to record all types of hate-based bullying, reporting such incidents, specialist demographic and faith-based training for schools, and greater engagement with the Hindu community.
Is it ideologized?: The report of the Henry Jackson Society under caption, “Anti-Hindu Hate in Schools” is found here[5]. The full report is available here[6]. A careful reading of the report also points out that some Hindu students reacted against the Muslim students, but, the wordings used about Modi, article 370 etc., appear to be more of political nature than social or research oriented perspective, as pointed out in the context. Perhaps, the researchers of the society try to prove their secularism, anti-communalism, danger of majoritarianism etc., as defined and advocated in India by all the categories of Communist (Marxists, Maoist, ML), Mohammedan (Islamist, Wahabi, AMU) and secular ideologists (JNU, DU, JV) and now Dravidian models.
[1] Firstpost, Muslim students bully Hindu classmates, pressure them to convert to Islam: Report reveals ‘Hinduphobia’ in UK schools, FP Staff April 20, 2023 02:56:55 IST.
[3] Times Now, Hinduphobia In UK Schools: Beef Thrown At Hindu Student, Pressured To Convert To Islam, Written by: Times Now Digital, Updated Apr 19, 2023 | 09:57 PM IST
[6] Charlotte Littlewood, Anti-Hindu Hate in Schools, 19th April 2023, Charlotte Littlewood, Anti-Hindu Hate in Schools, 19th April 2023, Centre on Social and Political Risk, London, UK, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP;
The Anti-Brahmin graffiti appearing red on the walls demanding blood: what is the psyche of the students who are there for pursuing studies? (2)
The JNU issued statement for formality: Hours after the incident, the administration issued a statement, saying such incidents will not be tolerated as JNU belongs to all[1]. That is perhaps, complaint given to the Police, but, the VC must have taken action immediately. That the statement issued to the effect, “The Vice Chancellor, Prof Santishree D Pandit has taken a serious note of the incident of defacement of walls and faculty rooms by some unknown elements in SIS, JNU. The administration condemns these exclusivist tendencies on campus,” the statement said[2], amounts to formality, as any administration would do that and keep quite. “The Dean, School of International Studies and Grievances Committee have been asked to inquire and submit a report to the VC at the earliest. JNU stands for inclusion and equality. The VC reiterates zero tolerance for any kind of violence on campus, it added.
As usual politicization of the issue forgetting the threat and vengeance revealed: RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad accused the left of the vandalisation. “ABVP condemns the rampant vandalisation of academic spaces by communist goons. The communists have written abuses on the walls of JNU in the School of International Studies- II building. They have defaced chambers of free-thinking professors to intimidate them,” said ABVP JNU President Rohit Kumar[3]. “We believe that academic spaces must be used for debates and discussion and not for poisoning the society and students’ community,” Kumar added. BJP also condemned it as[4], “Communist forces working in JNU”. The JNU has been a den of Communists and left forces, as they have been observing the activities of certain groups of students for many years. JNU Students’ Union member and former president N. Sai Balaji has denied the left’s involvement in the incident. Rather, he expressed doubt that it could be the handiwork of the ABVP activists themselves. This has to be noted carefully and seriously, because, such wordy accusation has coming from a fellow-student just to politicize the incident, but, not treating the issue with concern, when somebody is calling for blood. A JNU teachers’ body too posted a tweet condemning the act of vandalism, and holding responsible the “left-liberal gang” for it. “While the Left-Liberal gangs intimidate every dissenting voice, they appeal to elect EC representatives that ‘can assert the values of mutual respect and civility, & equal & just treatment of all.’ ‘civility’ & ‘mutual respect.’ Highly deplorable act of vandalism!” wrote the JNU Teachers’ Forum on Twitter.
Police complaint given by a Supreme Court Lawyer[5]: Due to these slogans, once again a new controversy has started in JNU campus. At present, instructions have been given by the JNU administration to investigate this incident. At the same time, Supreme Court lawyer Vineet Jindal has lodged a complaint with Delhi Police- Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West) regarding the matter of writing controversial and objectionable remarks on the wall in JNU[6]. He has demanded the Delhi Police to register a case under various sections against unknown people in the matter[7]. The complainant has requested the police to register an FIR against “unknown persons” under sections 153A and B, 505, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code[8]. Now, it has to be wait and see what action the Police would take, because, the students would object to the entry of police inside the campus. For every incidence recorded above, “JNU has already filed complaints with the Delhi police and investigations into the matter are underway,” but, it is not known, what action has been taken even after five years from 2019.
The Chairman of the Backward Commission also condemned: Former Union Minister Hansraj Gangaram Ahir has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Backward Commission[9]. Today 02-12-2022, he has taken charge of his post in Delhi. He has said on the incident in JNU that ‘Who says what, it shows his perverted mentality and prejudice inside him. I do not agree with these things that it is okay to comment or paint a wall about this caste. It should be condemned. Every person should speak his thoughts in good language and in parliamentary language[10]. Here, not only the language, but, explicit venom poured out through such words with red demanding blood. Considering the violent precedence of records of the university and the behaviours of certain groups of students, it cannot be taken just like graffiting or sloganeering. The psyche of the persons should be analyzed thoroughly. The Delhi has already been witnessing gruel and cruel crimes of all sorts excelling in Hollywood horror and terror movies.
Forms of Violence in the Colleges and Universities: Violence is prevalent in all countries and includes physical, psychological and sexual violence, and bullying, but, that exhibited in the Universities comes under a special scanner. These students have come here with education, degrees and maturity after spending more than 10-15 years in schools and colleges. Therfore, root causes include gender and social norms and wider structural and contextual factors such as inequality in income, deprivation, marginalization and conflict and such other reasons cannot be taken as routine to analyze and come to conclusion. If our country aims to achieve the Education for All goal, due attention must be given to violence in learning contexts and that is how, they get education and have come to universities. That Numerous factors like cultural understanding of violence, socio-economic factors, a student’s home life and the external environment of the school, can take the form of violence in universities cannot be taken as decided. Though, some researchers have found that there can be great disparities between cultures and societies in defining what constitutes a violent act or environment, they have to critically analyze the psyche of students imbibed with sertain ideologies. Regardless of the cultural or socioeconomic context of the school, violence occurs in both physical and psychological forms.
The comprehensive factors that might affect the University students in the current context: Given below are the main forms of violence as identified by the World Report on Violence against students, and of course, they have been enlarged in the Indian context, taking other issues also into account.
Domestic, home and brought-up factors – the bringing up of children, from the formative periods, the social, economic and religious backgrounds etc.
External Violence: Movies, print and electronic media, books, songs, Effects of gangs, Conflict situations, weapons and fighting
Physical Violence e.g., corporal punishment, hitting, kicking, smacking, etc., quarrels, scuffling and fighting among the student-groups for various reasons.
Psychological Violence e.g., passing belittling and humiliating comments, ridiculing students, threatening them, etc.
Bullying e.g., calling names, hurtful remarks, teasing, social exclusion, physical harm, etc.
Sexual and Gender-based violence e.g. , acts reinforcing gender inequalities. These have become more, as the school, college and university campuses witness both male and female students moving together, very often touching together etc., as friends, lovers or otherwise.
Politics, politicization of Student Unions, starting branches of respective political parties, and frequent interference of politicians with the academic activities.
Ideology – ideologization of academicia and academic curriculum, inviting ideologists to take classes, deliver lectures and talk in seminars, conferences and workshops.
The educational institutions themselves have been owned by the politicians, ideologists and theoreticians – they pose as educationalists, pro-VCs, professors, and doctors (with honourary and conferred degrees, titles etc.,), where, all the above factors could influence.
International factors- westernization, globalization, and related factors affecting through material and non-material culture, including education, syllabus, books and others
[1] Indian Express, JNU VC orders probe after campus defaced with casteist slogans, Published: 02nd December 2022 07:46 AM | Last Updated: 02nd December 2022 07:46 AM.
[5] ABP.Live, Caste slogans on JNU wall: Complaint to Delhi Police, VC asks for report, Anil Vij said – attack on culture, By: ABP Live | Updated at : 02 Dec 2022 11:51 AM (IST)
[9] aajtak.in, Complaint to Delhi Police on anti-Brahmin graffiti controversy in JNU, know what is the whole matter, New Delhi, 02 December 2022 (Updated 02 December 2022, 3:10 PM IST)
The Anti-Brahmin graffiti appearing red on the walls demanding blood: what is the psyche of the students who are there for pursuing studies? (1)
JNU – nerve-centre of controversies: Now, news is coming that “anti-Brahmin” slogans are written on the walls of the JNU. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has been the centre of many controversies, academic wrangles and students’ unrest for many years. During the pre and post-Babri Masjid-Mandir issue, the JNU spearheaded the anti-temple movement with all historians exploiting every platform. From WAC-III to IHC and other platforms were reverberating with their voices, sloganeering and shouting also. From Mandal-Masjid, they travelled and settled with the rise of Right-wing or BJP polity. It is well-known that it has become nerve centre or Headquarters of Left-wing activities of all sorts irrespective of cadres. From VC to gate-keeper, all have been involved in such ideological state and stupor, affecting the academic proceedings considerably. The JNU badge gives certain groups of students to indulge in demonstrations, sloganeering and strikes, even resorting to verbal and physical violence, as the Students Unions, Academicians and politicians would support them. They have been under the impression that, “We can do anything and get away with ideology,” implying the political power would save them.
2016 sedition row – Anti-India controversy: On 9 February 2016, some students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) held a protest on their campus against the capital punishment meted out to the 2001 Indian Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, and Kashmiri separatist Maqbool Bhat. The event organisers were former members of the Democratic Students’ Union (DSU). The event was held despite the University administration withdrawing permission for the event shortly before it was due to begin, due to protests by members of the student union of ABVP. The event saw clashes between various student groups. A video was circulated by Indian news channel Zee news in which a small group of individuals, whom a later investigation described as outsiders to the University wearing masks, shouted “anti-India” slogans. The slogans were criticized by many individuals, including political leaders and students of JNU. Four days after the event, JNU Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested by the Delhi police and charged with sedition. Two other students were arrested soon afterwards, including Umar Khalid. The arrests drew heavy criticism from many sections of society, on the grounds that the Bharatiya Janata Party government was attempting to silence political dissent.
Politicization and communalization of JNU students: Thousands of students, faculty, and staff protested the arrest at JNU, and classes at the University were stopped for several days. The arrest was also criticized by a number of prominent scholars internationally. Protests against the arrests were held in the University of Delhi, Jadavpur University, Osmania University, Aligarh Muslim University, Panjab University, and University of Kerala. Investigations into the incident were carried out by the Delhi government and the University administration. Both found that the controversial slogans had been shouted by outsiders to the University. The arrested students were all granted bail, with the judge noting in one case that there was some evidence of the accused shouting slogans. However, the University inquiry found a number of students to have violated University rules and enacted sanctions, varying from fines to rustication, on 21 students. In response, the students went on an indefinite hunger strike. The Delhi High Court suspended the enactment of the University sanctions on the condition that the students end their strike. The hearing on this issue has been postponed to 19 October.
2019 – full of controversies: Apart from Najeeb incidence after thea bove, the students and the administration have always found a way to initiate battle against each other, as in March 2019, the Vice Chancellor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar levelled charges against students that they confined his wife inside his residence after they broke into the house, to protest against Mamidala’s decision to ban protest in vicinity of Administration block[1]. Just a few months later, the university administration announced that walls of the varsity will not be used to put up posters or to write slogans for any protest. The students saw the step as an attempt to cut-short their right to expression, while the university admin argued that it was step to stop defacement of University’s property. The matter was still on boil when the Hostel draft manual was dropped by the administration which proposed hike hostel fee along with other changes like hostel curfew timings, dress code for mess[2]. It is the proposed hostel draft manual, which might have brought biggest controversy for the university.
2019 – Dr. Vandana Mishra, held captive by the students: In attempts to oppose the hike fee structure for hostels, the students went ahead to first confine a female associate professor – The Associate Dean of students in Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Dr. Vandana Mishra, – in a classroom for about 20 hours[3]. The professor was rescued by a Station Head Officer of Vasant Kunj police station along with an ACP rank official[4]. Later, the students went ahead to confine Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ who was inside the AICTE headquarters, the venue for JNU convocation. The minister was confined in the venue for over five hours as a protest by the JNU students against a steep hostel fee hike escalated. But the protest did not stop here, just two days after this incident, the students of the university allegedly broke into the administration block of the university, beat up female security guards present at the venue and defaced entire block with graffiti. In the quest the students allegedly also vandalised and defaced the yet to be inaugurated Vivekananda statue installed in the vicinity of the block.
December 2022 – anti-Brahmin graffiti appeared: Now, in 2022, this vandalism started with a new twist, targeting Brahmins, of course, Baniyas added through graffiti writing. Several walls on the JNU campus were defaced on Thursday 01-12-2022 with anti-Brahmin slogans[5] in both English and Hindi. It is not known how and why they followed two-language formla here also. Students claimed that the walls in the School of International Studies- II building were vandalised with slogans against Brahmin and Baniya communities[6], but, how they could have missed the culprits who did that. Meanwhile, the administration has condemned the incident, saying that the School of International Studies and Grievances Committee has been asked to inquire and submit a report to Vice Chancellor Santishree D Pandit at the earliest[7].
What the bilingual slogans convey?: Some of the slogans on the wall are –
“Brahmins Leave The Campus”,
“There Will Be Blood”,
“Brahmin Bharat Chhodo” and
“Brahmino-Baniyas, we are coming for you! We will avenge, ” and
Several university students and student organisations have expressed their displeasure over this. However, the university administration is yet to take any action. The slogan ‘Shakha Laut Jao’ was written on the door of the cabin of a female professor of the university[9]. According to some JNU students, the female professor was “held hostage” for 3 days by the Left-wing students in 2019[10]. Thus, the graffiti-experts imply that she was a “Sanghi” or RSS ideologist and hence all Sanghis should go to “Shakha” (training imparted on the play grounds to RSS members). According to the information, these slogans were written on the night of November 30, 2022. Any CCTV camera or somebody had seen or based on observation? Though the university officials have not issued any comment on the matter, but the university administration has started an investigation into the matter and efforts are on to find those involved.
[1] Indian Express, JNU: Hub of controversiesThe unwanted journey, began with the infamous 2016, ‘Tukde-Tukde’ episode which allegedly brought University the ‘anti-national’ which the varsity is yet to recover from., Published: 16th November 2019 03:02 PM | Last Updated: 16th November 2019 03:02 PM
[3] Republic World, Detained By Students, JNU Prof Shares Ordeal Of Inhuman Treatment, Lack Of Compeer Support, Last Updated: 17th November, 2019 21:36 IST.
[5] DECCAN CHRONICLE, JNU campus defaced with anti-Brahmin slogans, admin condemns, PTI | Published: Dec 2, 2022, 7:57 am IST; Updated: Dec 2, 2022, 7:57 am IST.
Manu, Manu Smriti, burning and interpretation of it, politicization by ideologized politicians – VCK vs BJP (3)
23-10-2020- case filed against Thirumavalavan: The city police on Friday 23-10-2020 registered a case against Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan for his statement that the Manusmriti denigrated women[1]. The party has also announced a state-wide protest on Saturday calling for a ban of the Hindu text[2]. The VCK leader said all women were “belittled and treated badly” as per Hindu dharma and quoted the text as saying “every woman was created that way (parathayar) by God.” He stated this while participating in a webinar ‘Periyar and Indian Politics’ last month. In Tamilnadu, many-many cases have been filed on the politicians, ideologists and others (Siman, Kamal Hassan, H. Raja, etc.,), but, no action has been taken and all have been in the cold storage.
26-10-2020 – Murugan appreciates and supports Khusbhoo: President of BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit L Murugan on Monday 26-10-2020 called Manusmriti an ‘illusion’ created by people with vested interests[3]. He condemned DMK leader M K Stalin for shielding politicians who denigrate women and the Scheduled Castes. The BJP leader said Stalin’s dream of becoming the chief minister has been destroyed as women are waiting to give a befitting reply to him. “Manusmriti is an illusion and it does not exist anywhere in the country. Only the Constitution framed by Dr B R Ambedkar still exists in the country,” said Murugan in contradiction Khushbu Sundar’s statement that VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan misunderstood Manusmriti. Khushbu even stated that she had read Manusmriti[4].
27-10-2020- Khusbhoo arrested and placed in a resort: Actor Khushbhu, who quit Congress and joined BJP earlier this month, was arrested by the Chengalpet police on Tuesday 7-10-2020, while on her way to Chidambaram to take part in a protest against Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and MP Thol Thirumavalvan for his alleged remarks that Manusmriti denigrated women[5]. Moments after her arrest, Khushbu took to Twitter and wrote that the party will fight till their last breath for the dignity of women[6]. In a series of Tweets, Khushbu condemned VCK workers, calling them cowards and said respecting women is alien to them. She also questioned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for blocking the BJP protest.
27-10-2020- VCK cadres attacked BJP functionaries at Madurai: A group of male functionaries of the BJP, including district OBC wing president Anand Jeyam and deputy president S Thangam, came to the collectorate to collect a form. The BJP had postponed its protest due to the Marudhu brothers’ guru puja. However, tension prevailed at the Madurai district collectorate on Tuesday 27-10-2020 as members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi manhandled two BJP functionaries[7]. They also attacked a car bearing BJP’s flag and broke the flagpole. Police personnel posted at the collectorate prevented unruly members of the VCK and later arrested them[8]. Some other media reported that[9], “The BJP workers were protesting against VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan’s alleged remark against Manusmriti when a group of VCK party supporters arrived at the spot and a clash broke out between the two sides. The workers from both sides were purportedly seen chasing each other in a video, while the police had a tough time controlling the mob”. DMK chief M K Stalin condemned the filing of the case and said that Thirumavalavan’s words had been twisted with an intent of inciting communal clashes[10].
Social gimmick, political publicity stunt and anti-Hindu attention-grabbing trick: It is evident that the political parties want to politicize the issue that is not there, definitely, because of the quoted Manusmriti. It has been a social gimmick, political publicity stunt and anti-Hindu attention-grabbing trick used and exploited by the groups, reportedly following Ambedkar and EVR. In reality, nothing happened, has happeed or happans in India, because of burning Manu Smriti or anyother demonstration, as caste has been constitutionalized. No politician wants to abolish caste, as his business thrives on caste. Manusmriti has been manufactured by the British, just like Artha Sastra was compiled by Shyama Sastri, Indica fabricated and some puranas interpolated. As there has not been any critical edition of Manu Smriti, many versions had / have come out, that too, with varied translations in Indian languages. Evidently, most of the translators do not know Sanskrit and they attempted to translate English versions in the vernacular languages. Thus, many versions of Manu Smritis have been produced without any authority or authenticity. That the anti-Hindu rabble rouser K. Veeramani has manufactured one proves the fact. That is why, now the politicians, why even actresses (Khusbhu, Gautami etc.,) claim that they know Manu Smriti, as they have read it.
Caste system, untouchability are not in the Manu Smriti: Manu Smriti itself doesn’t talk of untouchability, though prohibits marriages among the groups. In reality, the whole India, Manu Smriti is not followed, but, flouted many times. Manu Smriti’s dictates were freely flouted.
For example Manu forbids marriage between close relatives. But in South India and amongst the speakers of Dravidian languages, marriage between cross-cousins and even cross-uncle and niece is known to happen.
When his dictates flouted customary law, Manu was not listened to.
Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Lingayat, Christian, and even Muslim societies have caste system, not because of Manu.
The Tamil Nadar Christians refused Tamil Scheduled Caste Christians entry into their churches
A Bengali washerman doesn’t normally marry a Bengali fisher woman.
A washerman’s caste doesn’t marry from a fisherman’s caste or a plumber caste doesn’t marry from a carpenter caste even though all belong to the same Varna.
Mala-Madhiga marriages have been rare.
For that matter, even among the “Paraiyars” and other SCs, they do not inter-marry with same gothra, Kula deivam and practices.
Manu Smriti is revered in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Burma. It forms the basis of Thailand’s traditional law Thammasat. Yet these countries never had India-style caste system. How could they read the same book and not come up with Indian caste system?
The answer is the root of the caste system is not in the book.
Why then, all jump, hop and leap over Manu Smriti? Without reading, understanding or understanding, they interpret to fool others?
When there have been 300 Ramayanas, definitely, there could be 3,000 Manu Smritis: Following the interpretation of A. K. Ramanujam, now not only non-ndian ideologists, but, Indian counterparts have also started mentioning the prevalent of 300 Ramatanas. Then, what about the various, varied and weired Manu Smritis are existing? Can it be said that there are 3,000 Manu Smiritis, as no two Manu Smritis tally with each other. Manu Smriitis, of various versions of manuscripts have been found in the Southeast Asian countries also. However, now the politicians have taken two-three versions, including that of DK Veeamani and started debates and demonstrations. Gautami claimed that she had conducted research and she could not find such thing (verse), as Thirumavalavan mentioned[11]. Khushbhu criticised him of using religion against women and objectifying them. “He is a political party leader and should be aware of what he is saying..women cannot be objectified… you should apologise,” she said, as quoted by HT. She also reminded Thirumavalvan that he has women folk in his family too. Sundar also said that the womenfolk of leaders also go to temples and click pictures. Anyway, it is noted that much research has been going on in BJP and its parivar about Manu Smriti.
[3] The Times of India, Manusmriti row: Stalin’s dream of becoming Tamil Nadu CM has been destroyed, BJP leader Murugan says, Shanmughasundaram J | Updated: Oct 26, 2020, 19:59 IST.
[5] Indian Express, Manusmriti row: Actor Khushbu arrested on way to protest against VCK Chief Thirumavalavan, By: Express Web Desk | Chennai | October 27, 2020 11:54:23 am
Manu, Manu Smriti, burning and interpretation of it, politicization by ideologized politicians (1)
Woman issues not discussed properly and solutions brought: During 1980s, much discussion had taken place in the print media about Manu Smriti and at that time, the political players, who discuss now, were not there in the discussion. In those days, the discussion would be based on evidences. Even “Letters to Editor,” columns would be of such nature, contributed by well-researched persons and experts. Only paid-writers, court-journlists and of the ilk used to write in the “Centre page,” Opinion and so on[1], but these well-researched and informative responses would be accommodated in the “Letters to Editor,” only, that too, with deiting and censoring, to protect the honour of the “official columnists.” As Sha Bano issue and judgment[2] were debated, seculasrists blamed Manu Smriti for the present conditions of Sati, etc. Instead of discussing straight to woman issues and finding solution to their problems, the issues were diverted to bring other issues also.
None dealt with Uniform Civil Code – as the Court noted: In 1995, the “Uniform Cicil Code,” judgment also came, but, there was no serious attempt to implement Aricle.44, as directed by the Supreme Court[3]. The Judge himself recorded that[4], “It appears that even 41 years thereafter, the Rulers of the day are not in a mood to retrieve Article 44 from the cold storage where it is lying since 1949. The Governments – which have come and gone – have so far failed to make any effort towards “unified personal law for all Indians”. The reasons are too obvious to be stated…..”. Coming back to the question “uniform civil code” we may refer to the earlier judgments of this Court on the subject. A Constitution Bench of this Court speaking through Chief Justice Y.V. Chandrachud in Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs. Shah Bano Begum AIR 1985 SC 945 held as under:
“It is also a matter of regret that Article 44 of our Constitution has remained a dead letter. It provides that “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India”. There is no evidence of any official activity for framing a common civil code for the country.…”
The politicians have been interested in keeping the vote bank in tact, and thefore, they play “hot and cold” ideologized propaganda, sloganeering and gimmicks to fool the general public.
Tamil Nadu, Dravidian, Racist and casteist politics: The Dravidian ideological politicians, propagandists and rabble-rouses do not bother about history, historical facts and scientific logic. They impose their own standards with the claim of “Paguttarivu = Analytical wisdom,” and browbeat the public with their emotional outbursts. Their tactics have been to warn again and again that “the invaded Aryans have been oppressing and suppressing the Dravidians,” the Aryans are nothing but Brahmins sand therefore, they should even be killed. The dictum of EVR Periyar has been, “If you happen to see a snake and a Brahmin, kill brahmin first,” and hs heir elaborated, “if the snake has poison in its tounge, the brajmin has poison in his whole body.” Though, they reportedly oppose caste, caste system and discrimination and so on, they conduct theie politics only on such factors to in the electoral battles and also keep the ideologized followers wth such philosophical booze. After the MGR regime, the caste organizations multiplied. The parties like Vanniar Sangam, Vduthalai Siruththaikal Katichi etc., openly follow caste politics. The speeches of Thirumavalavan, in recent times have increased with the heavy dosage of attacking Hindus, Hindu religion and Hindu Gods.
27-09-2020 – Thirumavalavan talked about Manusmriti: Forgeting the recent past, Thol Thirumavalavan, Tamil Nadu MP and the founder president of Liberation Panthers Party (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi) is now in the eye of a political storm in the state involving the Dravidian parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and their varied takes on a 100 CE ancient text—Manusmriti[5]. This comes as Tamil Nadu is gearing up for Legislative Assembly elections to be held in 2021[6]. In the state, the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which is an ally of the BJP, is in power while an alliance of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress, Communist parties and VCK is in the opposition. The bone of contention is an online speech given by Thirumavalavan on September 27 during a webinar organised by European Periyar Ambedkar Comrades’ Federation on ‘Periyar and Indian Politics’, during which he is accused of having made denigrating statements against women. While Chennai police has now booked the MP for allegedly making a derogatory statement—‘All women are prostitutes’—Khushbu Sundar, the former TN Congress spokesperson and a recent entrant to the BJP, has demanded an apology from Thirumavalavan.
Manusmriti – how understood by Thirumavalavan and Khushboo: Thirumavalavan, a Dalit leader who was elected to the Lok Sabha on VCK ticket from the Chidambaram constituency, has however, maintained that his remarks merely paraphrased Manusmriti’s Chapter 9. In an interview to HuffPost India, he said, “Manusmriti is a well-known text against women, Shudras, Dalits and working-class people. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on December 25, 1927, burnt the Manusmriti (at Mahad Satyagraha) because it is the root cause of all evils in our country. Discrimination on the basis of gender, caste and work became a part of our society because it was prescribed by Manusmriti. The text naturalises atrocities against the marginalised.” The MP said that the text still informs social and cultural practices in India and it should be banned. VCK has already observed a two-day protest in the state demanding a ban on Manusmriti. “Several people have said that the text is old and not in practice. If that’s the case, why are they defending Manusmriti? They should not be affected by a ban on the book,” he said. Thirumavalavan maintained that Khushbu, whose political stand he had supported on several occasions before she joined the BJP, “was misled”… into opposing him. “Had she listened to the whole of my speech, I think she would not have criticised VCK or me,” he said. While the MP alleges that the BJP wanted to dent the DMK alliance before the elections by “playing cheap politics”, he maintains that the controversy has only strengthened the partnership between DMK and VCK. “The alliance is strong as ever,” he said. Edited excerpts from the interview.
A vocal section on social media, including BJP’s new entrant and former actor Khushbu, has been rallying against part of an online speech which you made in September. The speech refers to Manusmriti and its take on women. What went wrong?
I attended a webinar organised on September 27 by European Periyar Ambedkar association on ‘Periyar and Indian Politics’. The inaugural address of the webinar was by T. Veeramani, the president of Dravidar Kazhagam (founded by Periyar). The next day, DMK’s MP Kanimozhi spoke. Later I spoke about Periyar, the Constitution and social justice in a 40-minute speech.
I expressed the view that Periyar was not anti-Brahmin or anti-Gods. His real fight was against Manu Dharma and gender-based discrimination against women, Shudras and Dalits. He organised working-class people against Manusmriti. He also fought for emancipation of women. In continuation, I said that Manu Dharma is against women. I paraphrased chapter nine of Manusmriti and said that the text regards all women as prostitutes. It was not a direct quote but it encapsulated the crux of the text and its concept of women’s nature.
A month after the webinar, the BJP (supporters) misquoted me on social media, widely circulated 40 seconds of the 40 minute speech which I gave, and accused me of making derogatory statements about women. The fact that I was only explaining Manusmriti’s diktat was willfully hidden from the public.
I had not criticised any women of any culture. VCK and I fight for the rights of the marginalised sections, particularly women, Dalits and minorities. And I still maintain that Manu Dharma denigrates women.
[1] They just steal data and information from others, particularly, “Lettes to Editor,” and write another write-up and get paid for the columns. These plagiarized stuff can be seen in the “Week End” columns, magazines and others. As they know English, they manipulate.
[2] Shah Bano Begum [1985 (1) SCALE 767 = 1985 (3) SCR 844 = 1985 (2) SCC 556 = AIR 1985 SC 945], commonly referred to as the Shah Bano case, was a controversial maintenance lawsuit in India, in which the Supreme Court delivered a judgment favouring maintenance given to an aggrieved divorced non-Muslim woman.
Supreme Court of India
Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum And Ors on 23 April, 1985
Equivalent citations: 1985 AIR 945, 1985 SCR (3) 844
CITATION: 1995 AIR 1531; 1995 SCC (3) 635; JT 1995 (4) 331; 1995 SCALE (3)286.
[4] Supreme Court of India, Smt. Sarla Mudgal, President, … vs Union Of India & Ors on 10 May, 1995; Equivalent citations: 1995 AIR 1531, 1995 SCC (3) 635, Author: K Singh, Bench: Kuldip Singh (J).
[5] Huffington Post, VCK’s Thol Thirmavalavan on Manusmriti Ban, DMK Alliance And BJP’s Smear Campaign, By Nikhila Henry, 27/10/2020 11:57 AM IST.
The 80th session of Indian History Congress held at Kannur University –The Governor speech was interrupted, Irfan Habib created a scene on the stage misbehaving! [4]
Note those two “women-delegates,” who were used as a front, to start the ruckus and ten run riot to spoil the image of IHC.
See her face, how it changes…………..
Yes, she can use force, as could be seen from her facial expression of violence…
In that skirmish, the Lady-police hat was tossed and she catches it and wears! Thus, the so-called “woman-delegate” has no decency to respect a “Woman-police”! Is that way, she has been taught to oppose the authority?
Irfan Habib, the two women delegates and the rabble-rousing historians are not innocent: The media continued to report twisting the facts of events, as follows: “When the governor touched upon the subject of the CAA and defended the Centre, some participants started raising their voices in protest. When he said the house is open for discussion, two women delegates who were research fellows in the JNU, raised placards saying ‘this house (India) is not open for any discussions’. Even though the governor was heard saying that they have the right to protest democratically, the security officers tried to eject them. By then, the atmosphere was charged. Participants, students and professors began chanting slogans against the governor’s “political remarks”. According to some delegates, Khan quoted Maulana Azad, saying “the Partition took the dirt away but some potholes were left behind, where water has collected and now it is stinking.” He told the protestors, “You are causing a foul smell. Maulana Azad had said this for you.” This is when noted historian, professor Irfan Habib stood up and asked him to “quote Nathuram Godse” rather than Maulana Azad or Gandhi”. The media has utterly failed in pointing out the illegal misbehaviour, misconduct and unruly act of Irfan Habib and the so-called “women delegates”!
How the media has been mischievous in glorifying the rowdy behaviour of the historians: The media continued to report twisting the facts of events, as follows: “Particularly unseemly was the pandemonium that marked the inaugural with the distinguished historian and president of the current IHC, Irfan Habib (Aligarh school) getting up from his chair on the stage to remark, “The Governor may talk about Godse but not Maulana Azad.” That punctuated the Governor’s presentation with a full stop[1]. Mr Khan had his dander up, provoking the protesters to debunk the constitutional head for what they called his “unwarranted political remarks”. It needs to be underlined that the Indian History Congress ought not to be the venue of an ideological spat[2]. While the West Bengal Governor was barred from entering the JU campus as Chancellor on convocation day, the Kerala Governor, Mr Arif Mohammad Khan, was booed so severely that he had to wind up his address, claiming that his freedom of speech was being denied”. Silly, stupid and ridiculous for the media to conclude that the act of disrespecting the Governors in the universities is a great job. That proves their ugly mindset of acting against the Act and Rules of this nation.
Irfan’s idiotic talk of IHC not inviting the Governor: The media continued to report twisting the facts of events, as follows: “Historian Irfan Habib said the Indian History Congress (IHC) did not invite Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and it was the host institution, Kannur University, which invited him and other political leaders. “It is the right of the host institution to invite, however, we would not have thought of him,” the historian said criticising the Governor[3]. He was responding to the event that unfolded during the inauguration of the 80th session of the IHC at the university. He told The Hindu that the delegates were provoked when he started to speak about the Citizenship Amendment Act and denounced the Muslims. “The Governor was not invited to speak on CAA and the time of IHC is not for wasting,” he said adding that the Governor had the right to speak to an audience of his own[4]. The historian pointed out that the Governor was going into things that were no concern to the IHC. He was asked to address the IHC and not to a political audience, he asserted. Asked if there was a violation of the Governor’s protocol, Mr. Habib said the protocol did not govern the IHC and they had their own constitution. The members of IHC are governed by the Indian Constitution and the IHC’s, he said adding that the Governor’s protocol was false. Habib pointed out that in the past the President, the Vice-President and other eminent people attended the congress without any protocol. Habib was also critical of the Kerala government for posting the police at the IHC venue. The government should explain why policemen were deputed and four people were detained, he said. Habib also accused the police of obstructing him, when they had no business to be on the podium. So he pushed them aside to speak to the local secretary. He also expressed his concern that it happened in Kerala, where the Left government was governing.
Irfan Habib’s lies and the media coverage: There have been many documents that lay mandatory conditions as to how a Governor has to be treated when he is invited for any function. A University is a place, where, educated people are there, it is unimaginable that such events could have taken place at Kannur. Being a responsible historian, Habib went on telling lies.:
Whether IHC invited, Kannur University invited, that is immaterial, as the so-called historians have to behave properly respecting the post.
The Governor has not only been head of the Kerala State, but, Chancellor of all Universities of Kerala.
The VC of Kannur University is responsible for the behaviour of the historians or delegates, who came there.
As the Kannur University hosted the session, the IHC has been equally responsible for the decent behaviour and smooth proceedings of the deliberations.
That the “women-delegates” were so prompt and ready to swing in action to show the placards, shout slogans and roughly behaved with the police proved that they had planned already.
Habib’s blabbering that, “the Governor had the right to speak to an audience of his own,” is idiotic, because, he was the first person started heckling and interfering with the speech of the Governor.
Habib’s, “I am 88; his ADC must have been 35 or 40. You can imagine the falsity of this statement from these facts,” rant[5] has been totally false, as the video proved his behaviour.
Ironically, not only ADC, the VC had to control him, pull his hands, pulled him aside and made him to sit away from the Governor. So all had watched how the 88 behaved with vigour!
The reporter of “The Hindu” and other media houses should know some fundamentals about the duties of Chancellor, VC and other dignitaries of the University.
The IHC had involved in politics long back and the historians cannot fool common people and citizens of India. Perhaps, the people might start questioning them one day, if they continue to lie in this fashion. It is not their “Marxist or Mohammedan historiography” to interpret, misinterpret or distort to suit them without any objectivity, impartiality and neutrality.
Telling lies bad for historians: The media continued to report twisting the facts of events, as follows: “Historians[6], Jabir Raza of AMU and Farhat Hasan of DU, said[7], “When the protests commenced, professor Irfan Habib, who was on the dais in the capacity of the outgoing president of the IHC, got up from his seat and proceeded to the VC of Kannur University, Gopinath Ravindran, to request him to stop what was happening and requested the governor to refrain from turning the IHC into his political arena. He had also requested the governor to stop making remarks of the nature he was indulging in. As soon as Habib went there, the ADC and the security officer of the governor pushed him aside and tried to stop him. The governor, too, started accusing Habib of trying to stop him from speaking.” But, these two were sitting 100 ft away among the audience, of course shouting at the Governor, as the videos show, therefore, they had lied only. Irony and regrettable that the historians behave like rowdies.
[3] The Hindu, Indian History Congress did not invite Governor: Irfan Habib, C.P. Sajit, KANNUR, DECEMBER 29, 2019 16:55 IST; UPDATED: DECEMBER 29, 2019 17:30 IST
[5] The Telegraph, Habib responds to Kerala governor: No fisticuffs, I’m 88, By K.M. Rakesh in Bangalore Published 31.12.19, 7:15 AMUpdated 31.12.19, 7:15 AM- The governor told a Malayalam channel on Sunday that Habib had started ‘fisticuffs’ with his ADC on the dais
The World Atheist Conference 2018 conducted on January 5th to 7th 2018 at Trichy – Kamimozhi’s dubious talk about her visit to Tirumala (3)
Photo courtesy: TTD
Kanimozhi entering temple…
Photo courtesy: TTD
At Kalyana katta, where, devotees are given free tonsure – Kanimozhi seen listening to Venkauya Naidu.
Photo courtesy: TTD
The women members had symbolic tonsure just cutting few strands of hair-bits or touching with scissors!
Photo courtesy: TTD
The women members went in a queue – Kani in her turn!
Kanimozhi’s visit to Tirumala in 2012 and criticism made in 2017: Kanimozhi, the Rajya Sabha MP claimed that she visited Tirumala, as a member of the Committee under Venkaiah Naidu, during her controversial speech made at the WAC, Trichy on 06-01-2018. She had claimed that she had recently visited the popular Tirupati Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh[1]. Kanimozhi said she, along with some other MPs, was taken to the temple by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, as a part of a Home Affairs Committee, through a special route arranged for the group[2]. “If you give more money and buy a ticket you get special dharsanam [visit]. If not, you stand for 10 hours, 20 hours or two days. That is god………He (accompanied MP) told me that all their wishes are being granted and they are being protected…I then asked him, there is a money collection box right in front of the god. Why is there a security personnel with a stun gun protecting it? People who run the temple are not confident that god can protect the money collection box. Why should I believe in god?”…..” When TNM contacted Kanimozhi she was unfazed by the opposition that the speech has garnered[3]. “Whatever happens, I will face it legally. I said this at an Atheist Conference,” she says[4]. This made me to dig into her visit, because, as an atheist, she should not have visited the temple. The background of the visit and the details are as follows.
Photo courtesy: TTD
Why and how Kanimozhi visited Tirumala and also SHAR, and Kalpakkam in November 2012?: As a part of a Home Affairs Committee, kanimozhi visited the Tirumala temple on November 12, 2012. The team paid a visit to both –
the pilgrim-choked Vaikuntam queue complexes,
Kalyanakatta and
Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba free meals complex and
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs headed by BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu on Friday (November 12, 2012) expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements being made by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) atop the sacred shrine of Lord Venakteswara. Talking to media persons, Mr. Naidu said that the committee has been visiting several important places in the country, including Tirumala, SHAR, and Kalpakkam to study the existing security mechanism at all the places. He said that the committee was also scheduled meet the top brass of the TTD officials, intelligence officials and the officials of the State Home Department on Saturday in Tirupati wherein issues relating to disaster management and security mechanism will be discussed. Besides this, the committee will also discuss issues relating to the marine security in the coastal belt apart from the proposal to bring Tirumala under the ‘no-fly’ zone category. The TTD authorities on their part explained to the team the various initiatives being adopted by the temple administration towards crowd management, queue system and the amenities being extended to pilgrims visiting Tirumala.
Photo courtesy: TTD
Kanimozhi had special darsham tirth, prasad and saree: There have been many official reports, videos of the TTD and TV channels, News reports in English and Telugu as to why she visited the temple, what she did and other details:
Kanimozhi visited the Tirumala temple on November 12, 2012 as a part of a Home Affairs Committee, to inspect the security arrangements being made by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
She met the top brass of the TTD officials, intelligence officials and the officials of the State Home Department on Saturday in Tirupati wherein issues relating to disaster management and security mechanism.
She verified the various initiatives being adopted by the temple administration towards crowd management, queue system and the amenities being extended to pilgrims visiting Tirumala.
She had gone to Kalyanakatta where tonsure is made that involves hygiene and other issues. When two women member had symbolic tonsure, she was there and joined them.
Went to Pushkarni to note the maintenance, refilling of water etc.
She had special darshan of Sri Venkatswara, had tirth and prasadam. She also received a saree given by the TTD.
Went to free-meals section, inspected the vessels for the cooking of food that is fed to thousands daily.
Went to laddu counter, where, laddu and other prasadams were given free to her.
She visited the temple to pray Sri Venkateswara to clear all problems, she was facing.
Photo courtesy: TTD
Kanimozhi crossing Vaikundam entry entrance….
Photo courtesy: TTD
Reaching “Way to Darshan”!!!!
What Kanimozhi spoke on 06-01-2018 at the WAC: From 12-11-2012 to 06-01-2018, what happened to he exposes her psyche.
What Kanimozhi talked
Comments
“If you give more money and buy a ticket you get special dharsanam [visit].
First of all, as an atheist, you should not have visited the temple.
As even when non-Hindus visit, they sign a form that I believe in Sri Venkateswara, you must have signed.
If not, Venkaiya Naidu should be held responsible for violating the norms.
As they went to inspect, evidently, they signed.
If not, you stand for 10 hours, 20 hours or two days. That is god………
You should have waited, paid and went side, but, you enjoyed VVVVIP darshan! Shame, atheist, shame!!
That is Kanimozhi, the principle-less atheist, and thus,anti-Hindu!
He (accompanied MP) told me that all their wishes are being granted and they are being protected…I then asked him, there is a money collection box right in front of the god. Why is there a security personnel with a stun gun protecting it?
The Telugu people explicitly answered that people like you might loot, that is why they stand with guns.
Moreover, as you had gone there to inspect the security aspects, you could not have made such idiotic statement!
People who run the temple are not confident that god can protect the money collection box. Why should I believe in god?”…..”
Shame on you, idiotic that we have MP like you and allowing you inside the temple.
Perhaps, you had gone inside to know the security arrangement to attack!
If that God does not protect, I say that God is not there…..
Had you gone there to inspect the security aspects, or the existence of Go?
Your blabbering exposes your honesty, integrity and sincerity as a MP.
Thus, it is evident that by all means, the MP has lost her credibility and she should be stripped of MP post or she should resign immediately.
Photo courtesy: TTD
Inspecting the “Free Meals – Prasad Hall”….
Photo courtesy: TTD
Posing for photo before “Annadhana Hall, building”
Photo courtesy: TTD
Coming out………………….”If you do not believe……why you enter the temple, had darshan, taken tirth and prasad, the saree……………..prayed to him to remove your problems?”. The AP people openly revealed that she came here to pray “Venkayya” to relieve her from 2G case!
Complaints made against Kanimozhi: The local BJP leaders led by former TTD Board member G Bhanu Prakash Reddy submitted a written complaint to Urban ASP Srinivasulu against DMK MP Kanimozhi here on Thursday, (11-01-2018) for hurting the religious beliefs of Hindus[7]. She made adverse comments on the Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala at a Tiruchi meeting in Tamil Nadu[8]. Rayalaseema Porata Samithi (RPS) convener P Naveen Kumar Reddy has condemned the DMK MP comments against the presiding deity of Tirumala. He demanded that the state government’s Endowments department take legal action against Kanimozhi. The RPS activists staged a dharna near Alipiri. Ironically, in Tamilnadu, the so-called Hindutwavadis, Sangh-parivar, BJPwalas and other “Hindus” have been keeping quite for unknown reasons. The foreign delegates and other responsible delegates who attended the WAC should take care of the facts.
[1] Scroll.in, Tamil Nadu: Complaint filed against DMK MP Kanimozhi for allegedly hurting religious beliefs, Published : 12-01-2018· 07:34 pm Updated 12-01-2018 · 07:58 pm.
[3] TheNewsMinute, ‘Why does god need gunman to protect hundiyal?’: Kanimozhi’s speech rankles Hindu group, Priyanka Thirumurthy, Thursday, January 11, 2018 – 14:05.
[5] The Hindu, Panel inspects security measures in Tirumala, TIRUMALA:, NOVEMBER 10, 2012 03:29 IST; UPDATED: NOVEMBER 10, 2012 03:29 IST. UPDATED: NOVEMBER 10, 2012 03:29 IST
Tying Sacred thread to pigs, cutting of sacred threads of Brahmins, Dravidian radicalism and anti-Brahminism: Dravidian Prohits becoming dominant!
The Dravidianization of Marxist Hindu: During 197o, the Dravida Kazhagam extremists had been emboldened with the DMK rule and started attacking Brahmins on every pretext. In thos days, the cutting of sacred thread and attacking of one Ganapathy, Brahmin employee of “The Hindu” was famous[1], as it was nicknamed as “Mount Road Maha Vishnu” by Karunanidhi. With the labouur activities of Ramajayam, DMK leader, the offices of “The Hindu” slowly came under the grip of Dravidian polity. When Kanimozhi was divorced and mentally disturbed, she was accommodated in the editorial office of “The Hindu”. Priya daughter of Ranganathan was married to Dayanidhi Maran and thus, “The Hindu” has been “dravidianized” with all the dominant Marxism. Now, N. Ram inaugurated the Platinum Jublie of “Murasoli” on 10-08-2017 evidently his relative’s daily and praised the Dravidian movement like anything just sitting by the side of K. Veeramani! Ironically, Kamal Hassan, another Brahmin also was there to praise the “Dravidian civilization”! Here, it has to be mentioned categorically that though Ram and Kamal have been Brahmins, they have been completely secularlized enough to be more anti-Hindu. Thus, this event took place incidentally, three days after the incidence of tying sacred threads to four or five pigs by another radical wing of Dravidar Kazhagam.
“Poonool to Pings” ceremony carried on the road with violence: The story was reported apologetically as Priyanka Tirumurthy wrote that, “The poonool turns a Parappan into a Brahmin and a Tamilian into a Shudhran” – This startling message is embossed on a poster that carries the image of a pig wearing the ‘sacred thread’, or poonool (or poonal) as it is called by Tamil brahmins[2]. Circulated by the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK), the poster is an invite to an event where pigs would be adorned with the poonool, in a symbolic protest against Brahminism. ‘Panrikku Poonool podum porattum’, a protest where pigs will be made to wear the holy thread, was set to be held at the Sanskrit College in Chennai on 7 August 2017. The day marks Avani Avittam, which is a sacred day for Brahmins in Tamil Nadu. It is on this day that they change their sacred threads in a yearly ceremony. According to the TPDK, holding a protest on this day will create shockwaves amongst the Brahmin community[3]. “Brahmins wear the poonool because they want to differentiate themselves from other castes and make themselves seem superior,” says S Kumaran, Chennai President of the TPDK. “By default, the society views being compared to a pig as an insult and so we decided to use the animal,” he explains. According to this Dravidian fringe group, resentment towards Brahmins has seen a dip over the last decade but they are hoping to revive the sentiment in the state.
So, why plan this provocative protest now?: “With the BJP in power at the Centre, the RSS, which is basically a Brahmin outfit, has gained too much power. This is aimed at countering any effort to suppress the lower castes,” says Kumaran. When asked about the attacks of the intermediate castes on Dalits, he said, “Yes, Gounders and Vanniyars discriminate and incite violence against Dalits. But why do they do it? It is because centuries back, Brahmins created the four varnas and a hierarchy of superiority.” Last year, the TPDK tried to burn effigies of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to symbolically show opposition to ‘Aryan invasion’, a theory which has since been discredited. Now, walls across the city are painted with invitations to this anti-Brahmin protest. Anyway, the Marxist Brahmin Ram or the atheist Brahmin Kamal never cared for this and the ceremony went on well with the blessings of Periyar from the heavens. The position of “Papatti” is not known.
Indifferent Hindutwavadis: The Tamil Nadu BJP is, unsurprisingly, not impressed by this. “How can you ridicule something that is very personal to a community? If they think the sacred thread doesn’t make anyone superior, why even protest against it?” ask BJP youth wing President for Tamil Nadu, SG Suryah[4]. “They are also forgetting that it is not just Brahmins who wear this thread,” he adds. Aravindan Neelakandan, writing for the right-wing magazine Swarajya, argues that many communities like potters, carpenters and goldsmiths also don the sacred thread. Valluvars, Purohits and astronomers of Parayar community are also known to wear the sacred thread, he says, adding that wearing the sacred thread is not exclusive to one set of people. “But this is not socially accepted,” says Kumaran. “Nowhere in the vedas does it say that nobody but Brahmins can wear this thread,” he claims. What’s more, the Dravidian outfit is aware that they would not receive police permission to conduct this event. “But we will manage to carry this out without approval from the police,” says Kumaran[5]. Note: The TDPK has since changed their poster, which has been reflected here. An error in the name of the TDPK spokesperson has also been rectified.
When TPDK went to court, the Hindu advocates did not care (04-08-2017): A writ plea has been made in the Madras High Court for a direction to the authorities concerned to grant permission to the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) to conduct the ‘poonool to pig’ (varaham) festival in front of the Sanskrit College in Mylapore on Avani Avittam on August 7, 2017[6]. Justice M S Ramesh, before whom the petitions from two Kazhagam functioneries came up on Friday, posted the matter to Tuesday (August 8) after directing the Public Prosecutor to file the counters[7]. It also prayed to the court to grant permission to conduct Ravana Leela at the same venue on August 7, 2017. According to the petitioner, a community called Parpanar conducts an event called Avani Avittam on Avittam Natchatram, which falls on August 7. On that day they wear a thread made up of cotton called poonool in the name of upanayanam. The story behind wearing poonool is that once a poonool is worn by a Parpanar he will get a rebirth and will be equated to God. Burning the effigies of Rama, Lakshmana and Seetha will form part of the Ravana Leela[8]. When the petitioners approached the Mylapore police for permission, the latter not only refused the nod but also threatened them with preventive arrests[9]. In spite of the Court direction, the drama went on as reported and videographed.
Four or five pigs brought tied, dragged on the road with dying of one pig: A pro-Dravidian group brought Chennai’s Royapettah to a standstill by attempting to make pigs wear holy threads on the road. Volunteers of Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK) brought four pigs near the AIADMK headquarters and tried to make them wear holy threads as a protest against Brahminical ideology and casteism. They named this festival “adorning poonool (holy thread) to pig”, on the day of Aavani Aavitam, a day Brahmins consider sacred. TPDK cadres said that by wearing the ‘poonool,’ Brahmins consider themselves to be superior, and that attempts were made to make pigs wear them to break this thought process. Even though hundreds of cops were stationed in Royapettah, TPDK volunteers released the pigs on the road, frightening the commuters[10]. Police then detained the protesters and seized the pigs[11]. Last year [2016], the same group burnt effigies of the Hindu deities Rama and Sita in protest.
Blue cross and other right activists kept quite: Virtually, none cared for this cruel act of dragging pigs on the road with mouth died and probably drugged, as otherwise, they would have created hell on the roads. In English, it is said that “Pig” means young and “Swine” is aged. Animal activists say this happens every year. They also say that such acts in fact end up giving more prominence to the caste that they are fighting against. In the video, a couple of guys allegedly belonging to the Dravida group are seen dragging the pig with the sacred thread[12]. This incident reportedly happened on August 7 in Chennai near AIADMK office. This is also seen as a deliberate action against Brahmins[13]. Periyar said, “If you happen to see a snake and a Brahmin, kill Brahmin and leave snake”, so if the faithful followers had realy belief in their Guru, they must have chosen “Snake” instead of pigs to perform their radical ritual. However, they have chosen the pigs, that too tied.
[4] The News Minute, Dravidian outfit to make pigs wear sacred thread on Avani Avittam day to protest Brahminism, Priyanka Thirumurthy, Saturday: 22 July, 2017 6:34 PM IST.
[6] Indian express, Plea to permit ‘poonool to pig’ festival on Aug 7, By Express News Service | Published: 05th August 2017 01:28 AM | Last Updated: 05th August 2017 07:27 AM.
[10] Indian today, Chennai: Pro-Dravidian group tries to make pigs wear holy threads to protest against casteism , Pramod Madhav | Edited by Ganesh Kumar Radha Udayakumar, New Delhi, August 7, 2017 | UPDATED 13:11 IST.
Indology 