On Exporting Indian Islam and Dharma

Back in 2005 making an observation on Europe Tom Friedman said it best that “Europe today resembles an Assisted Living Facility with Turkish nurses”.

Kanchan Gupta writing earlier today in his blog extensively chronicled the growing disquiet in Europe over the shifting demographics with a spike in Muslim minority populations.

Paranoia over Eurabia saw a direct democratic vote in Switzerland ban Minarets drawing asinine reactions in India with more fear pan-Islamic fear mongering.

While all of this is a sideshow the reality is Europe is in denial of Eurabia while the rest of the world is in denial over the cancer of Islamic radicalization.

There exist three possible responses to this cancer of Islamic radicalization.

The first response manifested itself in Switzerland with the attempt at errecting legislative walls. This at best is a short term fix for it does little to deal with the socio-economic reality of shifting demographics.

The second response manifests itself in rhetoric that dreams of a clash of civilizations of sorts. Those who suffer delusions of such a decisive clash have neither a sense of reality nor a sense of responsibility towards themselves.

So between denial and delusions there really exists no meaningful response to arrest the cancer of radicalization.

Hence exploring a third response becomes imperative. Nitin Pai over at The Acorn had argued some time back in favor of exporting an Indianised version of Islam as a response to arresting the cancer of Islamic radicalization.

One may disagree with the finer details and much of the proposal merits legitimate challenges and debate but on the face of it Nitin’s proposal merits attention.

To appreciate the nuance in this proposal it is important to suspend legitimate skepticism that is rooted in popular association of Indian Islam with bodies like the Deoband and political entities who have traditionally tapped into Muslim insecurity.

If we were to look beyond the self appointed guardians of the Muslim Community we would find pockets of communities in India who continue to retain their native memory of Dharma and Indian Culture. These communities have managed to find a harmony between their current practise of Islam and their native memory of local Culture rooted in Dharma.

This harmony is not just unique to pockets of Muslim Communities in India but extends to all those South East Asian nations that have their cultural roots in Dharma and subsequently embraced a version of Islam exported from India. Indonesia with its cultural memory of Sanskrit, Ramayana stands out amongst these nations.

This is not to say these communities have escaped the cancer of radicalization. The AfPak mess, fundamentalists in Bangladesh and Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists in Indonesia continue to remind us that the cancer of radicalization is real and far from benign.

 But then in these Islands of “resistance to complete submission” to the literal text of Islam lies the only hope of arresting and perhaps reversing the cancer of radicalization. For these “Islands of resistance” by retaining their memory of native culture and an innate sense of Dharma have found alternatives to the literal text in their practice of Islam.

In these native alternatives to the literal text of Islam lies the anti-dote to the pan-Islamism that is at the heart of radicalization. The same pan-Islamism that sees Islamists from Somalia to Chechencya making a common cause.

This precisely is the reason why NDTV’s Vishnu Som makes a very dangerous argument when he describes the Swiss Minaret ban as a psychological threat to Indian Muslims. For by doing so he perpetuates the same radical pan-Islamism that is the anti-thesis of the local alternatives which from their memory of native culture have found harmony and tolerance.

In this battle against radical pan-Islamism we have a choice to make.

We can errect legislative walls to further fortify the ghetto within which the cancer of radicalization will continue to breed.

OR

We can delude ourselves into believing that a defining Culture Clash will magically eradicate all traces of this cancer

OR

We can repudiate every attempt at pan-Islamism by exporting that which makes these Islands resist the literal text of Islam – a memory of native culture rooted in Dharma that is not influenced by edicts and diktatrs issued in Arabia and elsewhere.

To all my friends who are predictably agitated by this line of argument let me urge that they reflect on what the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat means when he tries to remind Indian Muslims of their ancient cultural heritage with references to Qawwalis and Mazaars. He essentially is referring to this same memory of a native culture that makes their practise of Islam in India harmonious and tolerant.

Filed under: DesiPundit, India Lok Sabha Elections 2009, Shveta Chhatra, War on Terror

Vishnu Som breeds Muslim Victimhood

A lot has already been said about Vishnu Som’s tweet-a-pow with fellow blogger Nitin Pai over at the Acorn .

Three things stand out in Vishnu Som’s response to comments on Nitin’s blog and to the blog itself.

#1 – its ok for a religious group in one country to get worked up over consequences to fellow followers of faith in another country

#2 – the UNHRC is the final aribiter of morality in public debate

#3 – the European Convention on Human Rights trumps a democratic constitutional vote

So what do we attribute Vishnu Som’s curious logic to

a leftist value system where dubious Internationalism that passes for “Human Rights” activism trumps national interest

OR

a mutant form of Trotskyite Universal brotherhood that has Jihadists and their bleeding heart Leftist apologists joined at the hip across the globe making common cause on issues

It should come as no surprise to see Trotsky’s ghost in Islamist rhetoric in recent times. This paper titled “Radical Islam and infantile Marxism” by Dr. Philips Bounds chronicles how

Devout followers of Muhammad and excitable disciples of Leon Trotsky have joined together to oppose the wars and even to found new political parties and movements. This process has probably gone furthest in some ofthe most culturally diverse regions of Britain, notably the East End of London and the North of England.

Closer home Islamist rhetoric in the Deccan Mujahideen e-mail sent after 26/11 also finds an echo in this piece from 1946 by Henry Judd to the Trotskyite Bolshevik-Leninist Party of India.

Thus, we must clearly state that the Moslem people shall have the right to form independent states, including enclaves within Hindu territory, if they so wish and so decide for themselves. We will point out the general economic disadvantages of such separation and the greater advantages that lie in regional affiliation to a Federated India, but we cannot deny the right of the Moslem masses to attempt such a separatist experience, if they so wish

Just as easily Vishnu Som labels every intellectual challenge to his remarks as a “right wing conspiracy with an edge in numbers”, Mr. Som must realize he can as easily be labelled a Troskyite pan-Islamist.

Be that as it may what really stands out in Vishnu Som’s response is this

As I have argued earlier, this is part of a larger wave against Muslims … perhaps part of the generalisation that Muslims are universally terrorists or inclined to violence.

I cannot tolerate such a generalisation and cannot tolerate people who believe that to be the truth. And it is generalisations like this which represent a fundamental threat to Muslims in India and around the world.

where Vishnu Som is treading dangerous territory stoking the fires of Muslim Victimhood.

We cannot and must not tolerate this brand of irresponsible Journalism.

NDTV has an obligation to clarify if it stands by Vishnu Som’s irresponsible and provocative remarks on imaginary threats to Indian Muslims.

If not it must ask Vishnu Som for a retraction failing which it must seek a resignation.

Filed under: DesiPundit, India Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Stand up, be counted OR Liberhan’s Law of Unintended Consequences

It seems Justice Liberhan’s contribution to the Indian Political discourse will likely not be his voluminous report as conventional wisdom might suggest if this latest piece by Swapan Dasgupta in the Tehelka is anything to go by.

Titled “Rising from the Rubble” the piece may be mistaken for the Ayodhya movement rising from the rubble of Babri demolition report but then according to Swapan Da its actually the Liberhan Law of Unintended Consequences at work.

We are told by Swapan Da that rising from the rubble of the Babri demolition report are actually the BJP’s so called “liberals”. While Tehelka puts words into Swapan’s mouth describing them as “moderates” (rightly so according to me) but then Swapan Da is quite unequivocal in what he thinks might be the second coming of the so called “liberals” in the BJP.

Now one can split hairs on parsing the definition of a “liberal” in the context of the BJP, but it is worth asking, if there indeed is such an endangered species as the “liberal” in the BJP, then where exactly was it when the BJP

- in Haryana released a stone age Manifesto high on rhetoric, low on substance and regressive in its outlook ?

- decided to mark its descent to electoral irrelevance in Hyderabad by declaring Vande Mataram issue would be the center piece of its campaign for Municipal elections ?

- allowed itself to be boxed and labelled into a parochial corner by its alliance partner in Maharashtra on a divisive xenophobic plank ?

- released a laundry list for a manifesto indistinguishable from the Congress’ populism ?

The reality is what Swapan Da would have us believe is a “liberal” species in the BJP is actually a moderate species that is amenable to a compromise should the opportunity present itself.

Such opportune moderation was on display on the first day Parliament was convened with BJP making common cause with the Samajwadi Party and Ajit Singh’s RLD on the sugarcane pricing issue.

If the BJP’s opportunistic moderation is indistinguishable from Mulayam’s politics and Congress’ populism it must be asked what exactly does this moderation stand for ?

So Swapan Da while we appreciate your lament for the endangered “liberal” in the BJP this opportunistic moderation is in no way a step towards preservation of that endangered species.

We ask of these endangered liberals what will it take for them tonSTAND UP AND BE COUNTED ?

What will it take to stand up for Minimum Government Maximum Governance ?

What will it take to stand up for Freedom and Autonomy to Local Government ?

What will it take to stand up against a Culture of Entitlement ?

What will it take to stand up for the Spirit of Enterprise ?

What will it take to stand up for Freedom to Faith from Government control ?

What will it take to trade Agitational Politics indistinguishable from those who are the root cause for problems for Aspirational Politics that differentiates itself  with credible solutions ?

What will it take to stand up for a coherent and consistent public stance rooted in Center Right convictions as opposed to opportunistic moderation ?

Perhaps those liberals in the BJP would not be such  an endangered lot if they gave thought to what it would take to actually be known as such in public.

Nevertheless let them make a beginning with this upcoming debate in Parliament on the Liberhan report to propose a Center Right approach to bring the Ayodhya-Babri connundrum to a closure as opposed to an opportunistic moderation that is neither here nor there.

Filed under: DesiPundit, India Lok Sabha Elections 2009, Shveta Chhatra

Putting the BJP on notice – An Open Letter

Dear BJP High Command

With a lame-duck President and a reclusive Leader of the Opposition at the time of writing this open letter it is unclear who exactly is in-charge of the shipwreck the national BJP party has been reduced to.

Hence this letter is addressed in an open-ended manner to that nebulous entity that has come to be referred to as the BJP High Command.

It is most unfortunate the manner in which the Party has handled its affairs since its defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

The utter lack of transparency and rationale in its recent actions including the undemocratic manner in which state level decisions have been thrust down from Delhi raises serious questions on who exactly the Party speaks for and what exactly the Party stands for.

The deep denial within the party on this rotten state of affairs as manifested in public pronouncements and public reactions or lack of, has eroded confidence in this sympathiser.

There is also not much hope of that lost confidence being restored given the opaque manner and the semi-finals mindset with which the Party intends to settle the issue of Leadership succession.

This sorry state of affairs is leading this sympathiser with no choice but to put the Party on notice that this sympathiser may have to take his sympathies elsewhere unless the Party takes urgent public and transparent measures to stem the rot.

While this sympathiser is under no illusion on being taken seriously by the Party, let the Party be under no illusion either on being taken seriously by these voices of the next generation that the Offstumped Community has come to represent.

To put it bluntly, there is but one message from the next generation to the BJP – “Reform or perish, take us for granted at your own peril”.

How the Party handles the issue of Leadership succession over the next 45 days will be a Litmus Test to determine where these sympathies will drift to ?

The countdown has begun.

Yours sincerely
An aam sympathiser

Filed under: India Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Arun Shourie at Harvard – Quick Transcript

Some quick transcribing of Arun Shourie’s speech at Harvard, the audio file can be found here.

The event seems to have been coordinated by Jayant Sinha (Yashwant Sinha’s son if one is not mistaken of indiabanao.org fame)

Long introduction by the master of ceremonies refers to Arun Shourie’s recent pieces critical of the state of affairs in the BJP, doesnt miss an opportunity to recall “Alice in Blunderland” wisecrack at Rajnath Singh.

First question is on soul searching by Arun Shourie.

Arun Shourie starts with attributing the confusion in the Party and the defeat of the Party feeding on each other.

Arun Shourie On Soul Searching

never a good time to do it in hierarchical organisations

Organization should be current not just an electoral machine

conduct of individuals must be exemplary

greater need for soul searching within RSS than in the BJP

decision making in all political parties has been reduced to a small privileged clique

small privileged cliques resist soul searching

Second question is on winning confidence of Indian Muslims

BJP should stand for true secularism

Individual should be the Unit of State Policy

Rejects Communal or Caste based Group Entitlements Policymaking

We should not give to a Communal group what we would deny to a Secular group

Shourie on Affirmative action and caste based reservations

Absurd levels of reservations with sub-castes within sub-castes

Points to absurd promotions in government to fill up quota vacancies

Disputes the label “backwardness” being applied to groups like Jats, Vokkaligas, Lingayats etc.. which are politically so “forward” they are able to force the hand of the State to be labelled backward

Cant believe that a man like Manmohan Singh could have issued a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office to Nationalised Banks on maintaining records of loans given to Muslims

Asserts that in the long run BJP stands to gain by standing for True Secularism

Next question is on whether BJP should dilute its policies to gain Muslim Votes

believes that Muslims themselves will see credibility in BJP if it sticks by its beliefs and doesnt succumb to temptation of appeasement

If we can identify BPL for PDS why not for targettting socio-economic backwardness in Muslims

Next question is on need for Affirmative Action to address exclusions due to discrimination. Refers to study by Carla Hoff World Bank economist on Caste exclusion.

Shourie questions the wisdom of reinforcing Caste prejudices by asking for Caste to be identified in employment and other State services

Asserts the wrong lessons being inferred from this World Bank example

Questions the use of “criteria” that reinforce the prejudices in State Policy

Next question is on whether Caste neutral policies can deliver on Social Justice

points to notings by British census officers till 1930 on why caste should not be used an enumeration since it is “meaningless and fluid”

refers to an example of a Caste’s population dwindling from 800k to 100k between 2 Census cycles because a certain caste got elevated to a higher caste

Points that with Caste based politics we have a race to backwardness to the bottom of the pit to be the most depressed weak caste

Makes a plea against regurgitating cliches on Caste prejudices that have been internalised in Indian public discourse

What are the most important legitimate and serious criticisms of the BJP

1. We have to find a way of relating advancement within the party to performance. Confident that its how things will evolve in the future

2. There has to be an Institutionalized and Objective framework for leadership to evaluate performance

3. Greater clarity on Economic Issues. In Mr. Vajpayee’s Cabinet many leaders mutated into Nehruvian Statists. There has to be a deeper reflection and study of Economic issues. All debate is reduced to one-liners. There has to be deep study and deeper reflection to arrive at a considered view rather than reduce to evening news headlines.

4. Stop reacting to what Governments are doing. Stop reducing all politics to merely agitations on people’s problems. We have to convince people about solutions. We have to convince people we have better ideas and better credibility on execution.

5. On BJP being inclusive it should be a True Secular Party and not one that appeases Muslims. BJP should have a pan-India ideology and appeal that doesnt exclude anyone

For those who are less familiar with Indian politics, explain what Hindutva means in terms of Hindu religion

That question is best addressed to those who use the word Hindutva and like to describe themselves as Hindu Nationalists, I dont know.

As a word everybody keeps using it but I have not got a coherent reply on what it means, even Islam is a way of life.

Is there anything special about Hindutva and BJP

BJP has been unique in taking up issues that were peddled in the name of Muslims if not actually in their interests

Bending to religious fundamentalists like Bhindranwale

More specifically on Congress bending to pressures from those claim to speak on behalf of religions

It was these issues that got BJP the label

I still maintain these are not primary ways to convince voters

BJP has to convince voters on delivering on Governance

Who is most responsible for rot in BJP ?

Those outside BJP who use these characterisations, those who drifted state policy towards appeasing groups

Several of the Hindu values not very different from buddhist values were evident in the personal lives of RSS leaders, previous generation BJP leaders – austerity, pride in native traditions, and its relevance, are no longer evident in BJP

On changing levels of tolerance and openness in Indian Society – Mangalore pub incident, cases against M.F. Hussain, Raj Thackeray etc.. was India more tolerant in 1960s 1970s than now

India is an ocean, these incidents are deplorable they have nothing to do with religion or tradition, these are fringe individuals and groups 

Mangalore incident was stage managed

On MF Hussain absolutely no justification whatsoever for him to be in exile for him to be berated or attacked

How is it that MF Hussain that with his great skill has never felt an urge to paint the face of the Muslim Prophet but has always found the inspiration to paint Indian Gods without any hesitation ?

It is a double standard, it  reflects the selective way in which critics on both sides frame issues draws attention to paintings showing Sita deriving erotic pleasure from Hanuman’s tail while no paintings on Prophet’s wives

On vegetarianism and buildings brilliant Market based solution – let us build more buildings so there are many alternatives and those who are exclusionary are passed over

On Narendra Modi – should he be projected as a future Prime Minister or should that be off the table to build a winning BJP

1. This is a question that requires an extended answer

2. We should not underwhelm or trivialize his Development track record and on Governance

3. His work on development is exemplary

4. When he brings water to Kutch or Saurashtra its not that water is only to Hindus and discriminating against Muslims same goes for fruits of development from Roads and Power. Why dont we see that track record  ?

5. His critics have made him a national figure today. I personally saw this.

6. One day I was travelling from Delhi to Manipal in Karnataka. It happened by coincidence when assembly election results from Gujarat came out. I was in the Plane and I was working the election was out of my mind. In the middle of the plane the Air Hostess comes to tell me that the Captain sends you a message that Narendra Modi is doing well in Gujarat. In the airport the porters came to congratulate that Modi was winning. Many hours later in Mumbai people in the airport came to me to congratulate. The baggage handlers in Mangalore airport embraced me when Modi’s tally in Gujarat crossed 121 seats.

7. Can he be the future of the winning party – he will immediately electrify the party if he comes to Delhi but there will also be deep divisions in the country. He will have to overcome those divisions if he has to make it a winning Party. But no doubt he will immideately electrify the Party.

We should not under-estimate his potential to be elected to High Office if the current trend of religion based entitlements continues

Open House questions followed.

What should BJP’s future economic policies be  India versus Bharat ?

Yashwant Sinha gave a very good answer to this.

How is it that in Punjab those economic reforms got the BJP seats but in Haruyana BJP got wiped out. That they lost in Maharashtra gained in Gujarat. Lost in Andhra won in Karnataka.

The cliche of India Shining versus Aam Admi is a media inspired cliche

Filed under: India Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Manohar Parrikar – An Open Letter from Offstumped

Update – Read Kanchan Gupta’s latest blog post on Manohar Parrikar’s remarks on BJP and LK Advani earlier today.

Also recent Offstumped tweets on Manohar Parrikars remarks earlier today.

• Manohar Parrikar needs to get more savy in handling delhi based media, with some help from new age media so his message doesnt get hijacked
• Manohar Parrikar’s clarification to national media that “he stands by his comments” are significant, liked the emphasis on young new face
• Just posted my comment on @KanchanGupta’s blog on Manohar Parrikar’s unambiguous emphasis on need for BJP to shed its baggage with new face
• It is clear Parrikar wanted to make a point not mincing words, wanted to be heard by national media, he shud have preempted the distortion
• Manohar Parrikar has his first lesson in handling national media, he shud get much better at it if he is a serious contender for bjp top job
• Manohar Parrikar’s interview to Rediff http://is.gd/3zj95 sets the record straight on LK Advani minces no words on change in BJP

Dear Mr. Parrikar

As a fellow IIT Mumbai alumnus and a sympathiser of the BJP it is a great matter of pride that an IITian could be in serious contention for the top job at the main political opposition in India.

However it is also a matter of great concern as a voice of the next generation with a firm belief in Center Right politics to see the kind of rationale being offered for your candidacy attributed certain anonymous voices by the media.

While a legitimate debate has been started by eminent voices like Swapan Dasgupta on the need for transparency and institutionalized processes for leadership transition I can also see concerns voiced by others.

There can be no denying the fact that the novelty of your candidacy given your IIT background is bound to be a game changer in the battle for perceptions being fought in the english language media to win back the Urban Middle class.

However it would be a great tragedy if your candidacy were to be reduced to only matters of perception while substantiative issues of policy and agenda will be settled elsewhere with no transparency or popular mandate.

There is sufficient reason to suspect this given the kind of rationale advanced in the media a sampling of which is below.

Sources recalled that the RSS had made sure that the president of the Jana Sangh was mostly a notional head who would not craft policies and take decisions autonomously without consulting his team. The general secretary in charge of the organisation was more powerful than the president because he was the bridge between the party and the RSS in an era when the latter’s authority was unquestioned.

It is believed that in choosing someone like Parrikar, the Sangh wants to reassert its supremacy over the BJP and revive the importance of the organising secretary

It is hard to believe that as an achiever in your professional academic life you would be reconciled to being a mere notional head.

With such a pre-determined standing for your future Presidency it is also hard to believe it would have the legitimacy and moral authority to overcome the dissidence and second guessing  that have been the bane of the BJP for the last 5 years.

While all of this maybe in the realm of speculation at this time, it would be great if you could clear the air on the manner of your potential candidacy as well as give consideration to an open and transparent process with the “ballot” as the basis for conclusively settling such a potential candidacy.

Doing so would not just give you an opportunity to make a convincing and compelling case for your candidacy for pan-India acceptability it would also arm you with the legitimacy and moral authority to effect the outcomes that we all so fervently desire in fixing what ails the BJP.

I sincerely hope you would not think of this open letter as presumptuous and also hope you give it a thoughtful consideration in the interest of rejuvenating the Center Right movement and reclaiming the political space as the natural party of governance.

Yours Sincerely

an Aam Admi

Filed under: India Lok Sabha Elections 2009, Shveta Chhatra, jeetega-bharat

Offstumped Survey Part 1 – on Political Ideology

With the objective of initiating a debate to coherently articulate what the broad political space to the Center Right must stand for, Offstumped is initiating a series of online surveys. Click on the below links to take the survey.


Do political labels like Left, Right and Center matter to you ?
(polls)

Should a political party have some unshakeable core beliefs ?
(polls)

Does it matter to you if those core beliefs are labelled as ideology ?
(polls)

Do you care if that ideology is articulated in a coherent manner so you know what it stands and doesnt stand for ?
(polls)

Filed under: India Lok Sabha Elections 2009

BJP expels Jaswant Singh – Offstumped debate

With the so called Shimla Chintan Baithak leading to mindless manthan, Offstumped is suspending its hiatus from the blogosphere to invite debate from its community of readers and twitter followers on the developments from Day 1 of the Chintan Baithak.

• White Umbrella awaits mass leader to build liberal national big tent as national alternative to Congress from BJP ruins http://is.gd/2oDqc
  20 minutes ago from web
  Signing off from today’s BJP discussion on why we need a new liberal national Big Tent http://is.gd/2oDmw
  21 minutes ago from web
  Going by tweets from Young India who feel betrayed and aspirations dashed by BJP implosion there is hope for a new Center Right party
  23 minutes ago from web
  @Gogni Dont know anything about Calcutta Quran petition
  36 minutes ago from web
  @Calamur Credit goes to @Acorn for coining the phrase as far as my memory goes
  36 minutes ago from web
  @Calamur Agree the banning disease is much more recent, god save us from this politics of competitive intolerance
  about 1 hour ago from web
  The belated Sardar Patel spin to spare LK Advani the blushes http://is.gd/2oC2j if Modi took this one for Advani one is lost for words
  about 1 hour ago from web
  When “convenience” trumps “convictions” it adds to the “trust deficit” @Nazdaq24, no amount of spin can change that
  about 1 hour ago from web
  @Calamur It is tragic but then it was not without reason had scripted the contours of a new Big Tent with the White Umbrella for a metaphor
  about 1 hour ago from web
  Moments like these are a key test of leadership @ZoomIndianMedia Namo will be judged and unfortunately on this one he comes on wrong side
  about 1 hour ago from web
  Gujarat BJP could have called for a voluntary boycott to make its point if indeed it was about Sardar Patel and Gujarati Pride
  about 1 hour ago from web
  No Hero can be so weak that a mere academic exercise of little consequence diminishes his importance @PNiraj007 this is a pathetic excuse
  about 1 hour ago from web
  Thats a lame excuse @NR_Tatvamasi doesnt wash
  about 1 hour ago from web
  Streak of intolerance against academic exercise of no electoral consequence wont hold Narendra Modi in good stead, he has lost a wellwisher
  about 2 hours ago from web
  If this is Narendra Modi’s way of winning over elements of the Parivar http://is.gd/2oyLs it is tragic indeed battle won but the war is lost
  about 2 hours ago from web
  URL please @Retributions
  about 2 hours ago from web
  More Jaswant Singh in interviews with TimesNow on BJP expulsion http://is.gd/2oy3M
  about 2 hours ago from web
  First tid-bits on day 1 of mantha sans meaningful chintan by BJP http://is.gd/2oxpK so what was NaMo thinking as he sipped Coffee ?
  about 2 hours ago from web
  The rate at which BJP is self destructing @TanmayNK the more pertinent question to ask is can BJP restore itself forget Bharat’s old glory
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Swapan Dasgupta comments on Jaswant sacking by BJP http://is.gd/2owwK calls it over-reaction attributes it to interview on Muslim alienation
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Agree @Pragmatic_D hence the need for structured and transparent process by which leaders are “elected” rather than selected in the backroom
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Sorry once again @TanmayNK but let me repeat those who abuse Hindu Dharma in the name of Hindutva understand neither
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Not sure you can describe relationship with RSS as illegitmiate @Pragmatic_D every party is entitled to its base question is of transparency
  about 3 hours ago from web
  RT @KanchanGupta Advani@Jinnah Mausoleum “Jinnah was a RARE individual. My respectful homage to this GREAT man.” Still hosted on his website
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Not angry at sacking of Jaswant Singh @TanmayNK I am angry at intellectual moral bankruptcy of party in going after him instead of reforming
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Opinions cannot constitute core ideology, ideology must guide on issues, for BJP it is utter confusion beyond abstraction called Hindutva
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Unfortunately @TanmayNK there is no such thing as core ideology, if there was such thing we would not have witnesed incoherence of last 5 yr
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Sorry @TanmayNK for disappointing you but a Party that has lost the ability to confront tough questions is undeserving of any sympathy
  about 3 hours ago from web
  @KanchanGupta @Swapan55 looking forward to blog posts on Day 1 of BJP’s Manthan sans meaningful Chintan
  about 3 hours ago from web
  Full text of Jaswant Singh interview with IBN after BJP expulsion http://is.gd/2ou7W
  about 3 hours ago from web
  That is funny that it should take effort on the part of the Party to ease out those without a mass base @PrabhuChawla BJP disgraces itself
  about 4 hours ago from web
  Rest of India there is little culture of independent enterprise with more Crony Capitalism attendant culture of patronage and entitlements
  about 4 hours ago from web
  Center Right movement’s rise invariably linked to societies which place premium on enterprise, natural Gujarat R’sthan rooted for Swatantra
  about 4 hours ago from web
  Center Right movement always existed @Acorn in certain pockets mostly Gujarat and R’sthan which saw Swatantra candidates win back in 60s
  about 4 hours ago from web
  Narendra Modi need not speak for Jaswant @JaideepSK but he can speak on larger issue against “Status Quo” to send a clear signal
  about 4 hours ago from mobile web
  being a mute spectator Narendra Modi will be party to the current mess @Pk3021976 he cant absolve himself of responsibility without speaking
  about 4 hours ago from mobile web
  There wont be another moment of truth for Narendra Modi, will he renounce office, challenge the status quoists to build the new Big Tent ?
  about 4 hours ago from web
  Nitish Kumar has no currency outside Bihar @TantricNinja, one man can do it if he sets aside personal aspirations, doesnt look like he will
  about 4 hours ago from web
  The new liberal and national Big Tent cannot wait anylonger, the White Umbrella awaits its mass leader to herald Center Right rejuvenation
  about 4 hours ago from mobile web
  It riles one up when psuedo progressives like @ShashiTharoor describe the sycophatic Congress as a big tent
  about 4 hours ago from mobile web
  Agree @IndiaVoice the leadership has gone soft in the belly and in the head, tragedy is no mass leader has spoken up yet ?
  about 4 hours ago from mobile web
  Dont forget @Acorn even mass leaders like Kalyan Singh and Uma Bharati failed after going it alone, split has to be scripted by mainstream
  about 4 hours ago from mobile web
  Split in a BJP can be meaningful if its by a mass leader @Acorn, dont see that in the horizon unless Vasundhara Raje in R’sthan parts ways
  about 5 hours ago from web
  Is this an inspired leak or factual account http://is.gd/2only With what conviction did Mr. Advani demand Jaswant Singh’s expulsion from BJP
  about 5 hours ago from web
  “Open Shut Case” of Jaswant Singh’s expulsion from BJP http://is.gd/2on17 the intellectual dishonesty of this rationalization is mindblowing
  about 5 hours ago from web
  Meghnad Desai’s take on BJP Jaswant Singh explulsion http://is.gd/2omPJ for once have to agree with the Lord
  about 5 hours ago from web
  Jaswant Singh thinks BJP is drunk on power, RT @SardesaiRajdeep, what power they are in the doghouse and are on their way to irrelevance
  about 6 hours ago from mobile web
  Well said @KanchanGupta they were wimps indeed to pick on Jaswant Singh, shame on them and their misplaced phoney machismo
  about 6 hours ago from mobile web
  Rajnath Singh’s spinmeister lets the cat out of the bag http://is.gd/2ojjH Jaswant expelled from BJP for “indiscipline”, hilarious
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  Dibyattb BJP or what remains of its lumpen bankrupt former self is entitled to its anachronistic opinions and looming grand irrelevance
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  Sreejith_PA that is the difference between employment based on a contract and association based on free will, time Indian politics matured
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  KanchanGupta Good one – if Jas expulsion can ensure BJP win Maha imagine what else can happen if others are sacked
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  Dibyattb Having an Opinion on an individual cannot be described as ideology, those who think views on Jinnah constitute ideology are foolish
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  KanchanGupta If Narendra Modi had nothing to do with it, did he atleast speak up on the suicidal death wish of those who pushed for expulsio
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  RT @KanchanGupta Narendra Modi had nothing to do with Jaswant Singh’s expulsion from BJP
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  Dibyattb Have said thid before it is juvenile to have an ideological stance on Jinnah or any individual
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  With this Ostrich like view of an ideology trapped in the past if BJP believes it will win in Maharashtra it is deep in denial
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  BJP is making an ass of itself with “no compromise on ideology line”, Vinaasha kaale viparita buddhih comes to mind
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  Jaswant Singh is right BJP is indeed a party living in the past time to bring it to an end, a new Center Right party must emerge
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  Sreejith_PA it is juvenile of the party to have a stance on Jinnah and ridiculous to expect every one to toe that line
  about 7 hours ago from mobile web
  Jaswant Singh’s sad remarks on his explusion from BjP highlight how morally bankrupt the party has become, shameful indeed
  about 8 hours ago from mobile web
  @PrabhuChawla it makes no sense why Narendra Modi wud force Jaswant Singh’s expulsion, this rumor looks like a plant
  about 8 hours ago from mobile web
  @PK3061972 Jaswant Singh was no liability he was electorally inconsequential to have gone out of their way to expel him speaks volumes
  about 9 hours ago from mobile web
  @Calamur Narendra Modi is only mass leader left in the BJP he has immense political capital with rank file he can use it if he chooses to
  about 9 hours ago from mobile web
  Pity Nalin Kohli for having to defend the indefensible, his spin sounds as lame as Manish Tiwari’s used to http://is.gd/2o88K
  about 9 hours ago from mobile web
  One had hoped Narendra Modi’s Minimum Govt Maximum Governance cud be basis for Center Right reinvention but that hope has dimmed
  about 9 hours ago from mobile web
  @Calamur there was some hope of Narendra Modi’s Minimum Government Maximum Governance to be the basis for a Center Right reinvention
  about 9 hours ago from mobile web
  Time the BJP avatar ended and some Hindu reincarnation took place, whether a new Big Tent based on White Umbrella emerges remains to be seen
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  When Offstumped had conceived the new Big Tent with the White Umbrella as its symbol little did we know BJP wud self destruct in this manner
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  @Sreejith_PA The BJP avatar needs to end just as the JS, JP avatars ended its time for some Hindu reincarnation
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  @Acorn @KanchanGupta Big question is there not one moral intellectual giant left in the BJP, will Narendra Modi stand up ?
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  For then we can tell the boys from the men and if we can harbor any hopes of courage conviction in BJP
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  It is important to know who amongst the BJP’s so called GenNext stood up against this shameful witchunt and who was willing party to it
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  When Offstumped had hoped this Chintan would lead to some Manthan this was not what it had in mind
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  Frankly more than Manmohan Singh it is Mr. LK Advani who is beginning to look like lamest of lame ducks
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  It is unfathomable with what credibility Mr. Advani expects to remain Leader of Opposition after being party to shameful Jaswant expulsion
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  Best thing BJP can do is identify completely with the Murali Manohar Joshi, Rajnath Singh faction, so the rest of us can formally move on
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  @KanchanGupta cannot believe the fissures were this deep and personal, real shameful, now I appreciate your despondency
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  The real tragedy in Shimla is aspirations of a new generation got purged from the BJP after having raised hopes during the election campaign
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  So who is next in the firing line Yashwant Sinha for leaking letters or Arun Shourie for telling the bitter truth, it is disgusting
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  That senile old men completely at odds with the senitments of the nation decided their first act was to purge someone for a book is shameful
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  For the first time Offstumped is writing off the BJP, its time it self destructed and got replaced by a new Center Right party
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web
  Shame on BJP, if this is the best they could come up with then there was no chintan at all
  about 10 hours ago from mobile web  

Filed under: India Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Shevta Chhatra Debates – Week of June 14th

Compilation of about 100 Tweets from the preceeding week on Shveta Chhatra, the new Big Tent and the ongoing debate on BJP in Swapan Dasgupta’s & Kanchan Gupta’s blogs.

1.  
   1. Signing off this Sunday with this great Hindu Paradox – To be Trusted with Power one must show moral detachment to Walk Away from it anytime
   2. Mint makes a persuasive case for Liberal National Center Right reinvention of the BJP http://is.gd/11Kwd there is hope for the new Big Tent
   3. @Calamur More on the new Big Tent on my wordpress blog and in the latest post compiling tweets since May 16th expanding on it
   4. @Calamur It is a metaphor a concept for an inclusive Liberal National Platform into which the BJP or its adherents must reinvent themselves
   5. @Calamur Exactly hence the new Big Tent must stand for the Freedom of the Community to make choices locally on socio-economic issues
   6. @Calamur While that is true in general Big Tent must differentiate itself from Progressives One-Size-Fit-All approach with Local solutions
   7. @Calamur Hence the need for movement to become a Big Tent with grassroots representative democracy with a strong emphasis on local issuesThat trust must be earned with a missionary zeal and a visionary appeal with credible moral detachment from the fruits of power
   8. The detached Moral Leader must send a message a loud & clear that it is not about contention for power but about earning the people’s trust
   9. Speculation and debate on Swapan & Kanchan’s blogs on the next Prime Ministerial candidate is misplaced and counterproductive
   10. @SunLaad The movement needs its detached Moral Leader, it was not without reason a speech has been written for him/her http://is.gd/11GFx
   11. @SunLaad There has to be responsibility for Adharma commited in the name of Hindutva hence my call for cleansing taint on Saffron with White
   12. @Acorn Vision will follow once the process works to weed out dead wood & to elect the next Mass Leader any otherway it will lack credibility
   13. @KushanMitra Have to sign off I hope Future Group realises there has been far more imaginative introspection on blogs since May 16th
   14. @KushanMitra they never will there will always be victimhood that thrives on greivances, key is to draw a sharp ideological distinction
   15. @KushanMitra When someone as close as u are perceives it this way it is a wake up call on need for uncompromising commitment to Rule of Law
   16. @KushanMitra I disagree with how you are framing the issue wrt Muthalik, it appears cosmetic, it must not be “disancing” but abt Rule of Law
   17. @Calamur The media has always been shortsighted else they wud not have sensationalised negative stereotypes on Mangalore & Malegaon for TRPs
   18. @KushanMitra Give the Cadre a stake in the introspection as I have argued since May 17th, go for transparent ballots on all key issues
   19. @Calamur Agree, as I have said the Progressives in the media would like nothing better than a Congress monopoly and the sycophancy-patronage
   20. @KushanMitra Agree with you, the need of the hour is a structured process by which democratically transition, reinvention takes place
   21. @Kushanmitra It is not about no ideology but about the right ideology, they need to introspect on how Congress+Hindutva=PartyWithADifference
   22. @KushanMitra thanks for clarification, correction to earlier tweet, let us take it that powers that be want it known there is a Future Team
   23. @Calamur Shankar Aiyar is bang on BJP needs to become the “Right Team” rather than be seen as Congress+Hindutva and hence the new Big Tent
   24. With the White Umbrella for a metaphor, Dharma for a moral compass, new Big Tent will be no B-Team of Congress, it will be the “right” team
   25. This is the reason why new Liberal & National Big Tent must draw a sharp distinction with Hindutva as it is percieved and also Progressivism
   26. When Sangh veterans & Progressives think BJP sans Hindutva is Congress-B team its a wake up call on Ideological coherence & differentiation
   27. Beware again of Progressives masquerading as well-wishers http://is.gd/11CvF they wud like nothing better than Congress B-Team in opposition
   28. Shri M.G. Vaidyas prescription for BJP is flawed for neither does it address how & why Hindutva failed BJP nor offers a credible alternative
   29. RT @KushanMitra He has let the cat out of the bag, his dad Chandan Mitra is on a 3 member committee drawing up a future plan for the BJP
   30. @KanchanGupta NDTV IBN TimesNow HT Outlook Hindu Countercurrents JNU to name a few
   31. The Progressives will have a field day as this painful process plays itself out http://is.gd/11eH2 no reason to lose focus or act unhinged
   32. Reinvention by another name & constitution may not be such a bad idea http://is.gd/113qe the Shveta Chhatra awaits its detached moral leader
   33. The new Big Tent must expose how Progressivism hurts middle class interests to offer inspirational alternatives symbolized by White Umbrella
   34. Hence the case for the new Big Tent as a Liberal & National Umbrella Platform to capture the imagination & aspirations of new middle class
   35. Most bravehearts are still fighting the last election with dreams of next one. The real battle is for hearts & minds of new Middle Class.
   36. Vir Sanghvi muddled but timely analysis on new middle class is a wake up call to all those who subscribe to the broad space Right of Center
   37. In the new Big Tent freedom to indivudal & freedom to community on education will mean independence to use vouchers to increase choice
   38. Swami Aiyer bats for school vouchers as an affirmative action instrument in urban areas http://is.gd/110pY Will the progressives fall for it
   39. Exhibit A for new definition of Progressivism – http://is.gd/10ZQJ Vir Sanghvi validates peer group guilt and global victimhood
   40. Progressivism -a fundamentalist faith sans God, Pontiff, Dogma or Doctrine where morality is assigned by peer group guilt, global victimhood
   41. I am thinking of offering a new definition for this variety of global progressivism that is gaining currency in India as well
   42. BBC lecture on “Moral Limits of Markets” is quickly veering into familiar terrain of assigning moral stigma based on shared global values
   43. The Professor is turning me off as he is playing to the gallery by giving a moral spin to classic left wing progressivism
   44. The Prof argues that the “greed critique” is flawed, he seems to be preparing the ground for overbearing State intervention into markets
   45. The good professor quickly makes the jump from morality to the pursuit of the common good, this is beginning to sound like Progressivism
   46. Its a 4 part lecture series on Morality covering Markets, Politics, Bioethics and Global Citizenry
   47. Listening to BBC Lectures a Harvard Prof speaks on the Moral Limits of Markets, interesting that the West is discovering Dharma after bust
   48. The White Umbrella shall stand for a commitment to the principle of transparency and to the legitimacy of ideas that prevail democratically
   49. In the new Big Tent transparency in debate and open ballots will be norm to provide ample room for dissent structured mechanisms to reinvent
   50. Such a democratically elected leader and democraticall settled agenda will carry weight to silence or purge those who fail to fall in line
   51. The next mass leader will not have legitimacy unless he or she is seen to have put his or her claim, vision and mission to the ballot test
   52. If there is one lesson from 2004 for BJP it is that days of “wisdom of the tallest leader inside backroom” are over, wisdom is in the crowd
   53. Individual Leaders with a questionable base of support may have something to lose but an open democratic process will strengthen the party
   54. Why is the BJP fighting shy of getting bold and embracing an open and democratic process to settle the debate, what does it stand to lose ?
   55. It would have been better if Mr. Rajnath Singh had announced process by which competing agendas and claims will be put to the ballot test
   56. Rajnath Singh’s gag order is a tad juvenile this debate must be public it must be transparent on all the different motives, agendas & claims
   57. Yashwant Sinha’s resignation from party posts is nothing to get worked up about. More such developments expected as catharsis takes place
   58. WSJ today reports confirming AL-Qaeda Pakistan link to Mumbai 26/11 in Brescia Italy, see Offstumped archive on same http://is.gd/10yNa
   59. The new Big Tent can be a reality if the different stakes for claim on future of the movement are put to the ballot test with open debate
   60. So far we have only piecemeal prescriptions from Swapan, Kanchan Kulkarni. Only comprehensive proposal so far is by Rajesh Jain Amit Malviya
   61. All this back and forth in the public debate needs to find positive convergence on how the succession debate will be put to the ballot test
   62. It is also interesting that Swapan while pointing to Advani being hands-off in fixing the party has nothing to say on the Party President
   63. Swapan’s ciritque of Kulkarni on BJP-RSS relations is disingenuous for he himself by raising the Hindutva issue is challenging the Sangh
   64. Swapan’s use of the phrase “visible detachment” is on target, to a large extent this detachment must be attributed to inability of GenNext
   65. Swapan’s critique on dichotomy of Advani & Party wud carry credibility if it addressed GenNext’s failure to rise post Jinnah fiasco head-on
   66. Swapan Dasgupta’s rejoinder to Sudheendra Kulkarni makes it to print on Tehelka http://is.gd/10q6c interesting twist to a heated debate
   67. Regular Offstumped readers commenting on Kanchan’s blog – thx for quoting Offstumped but plz be accurate
   68. Swapan and Kanchan’s blogs have become avenues for free and open debate, incumbent on them to chk conspiracy theories
   69. The process for reinvention will not start till Leaders stand up and take responsibility and put to rest conspiracy theories distractions
   70. Conspiracy theories and personalized vendetta are not a substitute for reinventio or rejuvenation to rediscover the ideological coherence
   71. Harini Calamur further expands on her views on BJP on Kanchan’s blog, food for thought on how the Center Right space on broadening appeal
   72. Substance behind symbols is a legitimate subject for debate for ideological coherence is reflected in symbols
   73. Symbols are important but substance behind symbols is more important. To get worked up over mere presence\absence obfuscates the debate
   74. Kanchan Gupta has an update to his blog on alleged ommissions from the BJP website, the angst and response are symptomatic of the malaise
   75. All the more reason for the new Big Tent to assert Freedom and Justice with Dharma as the moral compass for a Liberal and National platform
   76. Harini Calamur’s comment on Kanchan Gupta’s blog is a good example of how bigots like Ram Puniyani have reinforced negative stereotypes
   77. The new Big Tent is open enough for all Indian but there will be no legitimacy to Ram Puniyani left wing bigotry that thrives on canard
   78. Ram Puniyani’s piece in the Tehelka http://is.gd/ZSt0 is less about objective analysis and more about reinforcing negative stereotypes
   79. Nothing wud plz left wing extremists like Ram Puniyani better than see the political space to the Right deprived of a strong political voice
   80. The White Umbrella awaits its detached Moral Leader http://is.gd/ZM9B who shall herald the Third Freedom Movement http://is.gd/ZMau
   81. The broad space to political Right must differentiate itself from Progressives by leveraging the findings of this study http://is.gd/ZM70
   82. This study validates the big ideas for the new Big Tent around Freedom to the Individual and Freedom t the Community http://is.gd/ZM4a
   83. Deepa Narayan observes “government machinery needs to treat the poor with dignity and respect” in a clear repudiation of aam admi mindset
   84. The study Identifies freedom to individual and community thru local opportunities and skills as the top need – consistent with BPL census
   85. World Bank Study by Deepa Narayan titled “Moving out of poverty” echoes Offstumped on BPL census analysis http://is.gd/ZLSm
   86. Next detached moral Leader will have to inspire change in speech, thought & action with coherence, credibility & confidence with a big idea
   87. Swapan’s themes to be pursued make sense however in the absence of a broad ideological anchor they will not inspire credibility & confidence
   88. The reinvention must be thorough and complete, it must take the contentious issues head on and lay out a path to resolving them lawfully
   89. Swapan’s call for 2 year moratorium on contentious issues is flawed, does little to resolve them while putting artificial gag on advocates
   90. Leadership is about making tough calls and delivering bitte mesages. It cannot be about seeking cosmetic changes and artificial moratoria
   91. Swapan Dasgupta says its time to cleanse the ugly H-image, http://is.gd/ZIHc but that shud not be cosmetic it must be a thorough reinvention
   92. The White Umbrella will symbolize economic freedom to states while eliminating barriers to trade across state borders & attendant corruption
   93. It is something else to centralize decision making on tax regimes, this may suit Industry but it may impair states ability to compete
   94. It is one thing to have standard systems and technology to ensure transparency and eliminate inter-state trade barriers and corruption
   95. In new Big Tent states and local communities will have the economic freedom to set their tax rates and economic policy on a host of issues
   96. There maybe merit in some states opposing a GST proposal A one size fit all tax rate set by the Center is a step away from freedom to states
   97. How the BJP brass handle the Jaswant Singh episode will be an indicator of readiness to swallow pride, bear consequences of hard decisions
   98. The first blog post on the Shveta Chhatra debate via twitter compiles around 289 tweets since May 16th after the elections http://is.gd/ZtXr
   99. To keep the debate on the new Big Tent and Shveta Chhatra going, Offstumped tweets will be compiled every week into a new blog post

Filed under: India Lok Sabha Elections 2009

Important Announcement

It is time to freeze the discussion thread on Elections 2009 Archive.

You can continue to visit Offstumped @ Indian National Interest.

I want to thank everyone, especially those who had words of feedback for Offstumped. They are all food for thought.

Over the next few days I shall be giving thought to what role Offstumped wp.com site must play if any.

Any feedback is welcome offstumped-at-gmail-dot-com or via @Offstumped on twitter. Thanks once again

Filed under: India Lok Sabha Elections 2009