B Shantanu

Political Activist, Blogger, Advisor to start-ups, Seed investor. One time VC and ex-Diplomat. Failed mushroom farmer; ex Radio Jockey. Currently involved in Reclaiming India - One Step at a Time.

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23 Responses

  1. Sameer says:

    I hold no brief at all for Abu Azmi but this is amusing – I don’t know how one can justify announcing an enquiry just because he visits relatives of those accused of terror. So the entire family of a terror accused becomes terrorits, do they? Interesting because you dont seem to have qualms about supporting the cause of another terror accused Dilip Patidar (Im not even talking about his relatives, by the way) in another post! I seem to get your point – the entire family of “your” terror accused are terrorists, but “my” teror accused is a poor victim. You should get the nobel prize for doublespeak. Im sorry to say this, but Satyameva Jayate seems to be more about Dharma than Bharat.

  2. B Shantanu says:

    Sameer: Let me start off with a word of caution: Pl dont put words in my mouth. It is not funny.

    E.g. “So the entire family of a terror accused becomes terrorits, do they?”
    Where exactly did I say this?

    As for double-speak and the rest, you are free to draw your own conclusions…

  3. Rohit says:

    Well some people have the tendency to cry for justice and the same set of people forget justice when it is otherwise round. For example in secession of Bangladesh, non Muslims got tortured the most inhumane way, which I guess would not be listed in any exclusive rule books which inspires jehadis but the jehadis kept their guns silent. Millions of people die in naxalism, but, jehadis, strangely, never feel the pain. Soilders would also have died in Kargill but jehadis never felt pain or encouragement to go to Kargill.

  4. K. Harapriya says:

    Islam has been waging a terrorist war on Bharat for a thousand years, a war that started without provocation and resulted in countless deaths of Hindus. Until Muslims can face this truth and accept that Islam was responsible for it at least in part, as the ideology behind this, we can never hope to have meaningful dialogue on any issue, past or present. Those who claim that Kashmir is the problem, or Babri or the Gujarat riots etc. are the reason are basically dishonest. These are merely symptoms and events in a long history of terror perpetrated on Hindus by what, in current terminology, are jihadi terrorists–those who killed in the name of their religion.

    Any religion that preaches that is it moral to kill those who do not believe its religious tenets in inherently immoral. And any God that demands submission is nothing but another Hiranyakashyapu.

  5. Amit Bhadhuri,Ex-officer,CISF says:

    *** COMMENT EDITED ***

    The blog created by Shantanu is undoubtedly a good one and it needs spreading as much as possible to save Hindus and Bharat from persistent onslaughts…

    WAKE UP HINDUS WAKE UP BEFORE YOU ARE DESTROYED.

    *** NOTE by MODERATOR ***

    Pl. stick to the topic. No personal abuse and no sweeping generalisations please. Future comments that are off-topic or in this vein may be deleted without notice.

  6. Hemant says:

    I think, Mr Abu is just being ‘secular’ – remember – blaming Hindus and being soft on terrotists and other religions is called ‘secularism’.

    Even Mr. Sameer is trying to be ‘secular’…

  7. Sameer says:

    @Shantanu – that’s rather clever, isn’t it? You did not SAY that it was a family of terrorists and I guess it was just a very innocuous, innocent statement:
    This, on the same day as Maharashtra Home Minister Sh RR Patil announces an enquiry against Sh Azmi for the latter’s visit to relatives of the suspected terrorists arrested by the ATS earlier this week. Contrast this with your note on Dilip Patidar. Moreover, how can Abu Azmi’s statement that Islamic organisations may not be behind Pune, be any different from your assertion that Dilip Patidar and co. are innocent? Note the lack of any significant breakthrough on Pune as well.

    Harapriya talks of “those who killed in the name of their religion.
    ” and goes on to say that the horrors of Gujarat and 1992 are merely symptoms and events. Rather contradictory, is it not. By the way, Islam never thought it was ‘moral’ to kill others because of their religion, unlike other systems that have discrimination built in their DNA. It has become a fashion to talk of imaginary Hindu deaths in the past to justify rape and pillage in the present

    My statement stands – this blog is about dharma (as in religion), not Bharat. If this were about Bharat, I’d have expected you to speak for all Bharatwasis, and not encourage insults at other religious beliefs while extolling your own. Pseudo-nationalism, as they day

  8. B Shantanu says:

    @ Sameer: If you are in a mood to debate, make sure you read the stuff first…

    The sentence that you have cited is from the DNA report (which is hyperlinked)..OK, perhaps I should have put quotes around it. And perhaps DNA is “pseudo-nationalist” too.

    Secondly, please remind me where exactly did you find this:“…your assertion that Dilip Patidar and co. are innocent

    Dilip Patidar may or may not be innocent. That is the not the point. The point is that he has been untraceable for 18 months..(and before you jump, I am *not* saying that there may not be other “Dilip Patidars”).

    As for the rest, I have been called worse names (and accused of more vile things) before. Let the readers decide. This is my last comment on this particular thread.

  9. Bharat Wasi says:

    Sameer,

    There was this thing which is not very old but forgotten. This thing is called as “Direct Action Day”. This DAD was fathered by one Mohammed Ali Jinnah. One important role in DAD was played by one Suharawardy who was elected Chief Minister of Bengal. Suhara directed mass killings of Hindoos which made him so popular among muslims that he went on to become prime minister of Pakistan. Note that Mohamed Ali Jinnah, Suharawardy were technically Indian Muslims. From history it is not difficult to draw conclusions of certain acts… Most of them are repeat.

  10. Ashraf says:

    Why not?

    Is there something which says Hindu right wing organizations do not have it in them to spread terror.

    Pune is afterall an old VHP/RSS stronghold. Nathuram Godse, the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi hailed from Pune. His family is still there worshippimg him and holding.

    I am not saying that the GB bomb blast is the handiwork of Hindu outfits. I am saying that the investigations must be pursued with an open mind.

  11. Sid says:

    Ashraf,
    “Is there something which says Hindu right wing organizations do not have it in them to spread terror.” – So what is there to believe that Hindu “right wing” organisations have it in them to blow up buildings? Off course they are fully capable of instigating riots when “secular”s can burn train compartments full of supposedly Hindu bigots and their death does not even receive any attention.

    Chacha Antulay did provide an important argument, did not he? When the entire country is burning, you guys are very adept at raising important “open-minded” questions like this. This is called patriotism wahabbi-style, I guess.

  12. Ashraf says:

    @Sid- Your comment is so full of rheoteric and false arguments that I am actually laughing.

    Is there something in the right wing ideology which says they cannot be?

    Unless you beleive that the Malegaon and Nanded cases are just frame-ups to please us, pseudo secularists. Much before the arrests of the Abhinav Bharat folks , when the Malegaon attacks were the handiwork of muslims only, people had protested that there should be more open minded investigations. The idea was mocked upon till of course the arrests were made.

    And stop the rheoteric of my violence was more moral than yours. Where did I say violence was right? Its wrong. However the murder of 50 cannot justify the murder of 2000 or vice-versa. The train burning received enough attention. What more did you want?

    Its not about Antulay. The entire country is burning and a big part of the reason is the hate spread by the right wing and its constituents. The Bajrang Dals role in fanning riots is well documented.

    And how the hell do you question my patriotism. This is my country. Muslims have fought and died for this country.

    In my opinion, the misplace narrative that you guys are so adept at spreading is more damaging then anything. The hindu is being discriminated in a country where he dominates everything. I sometimes laugh at all conspiracy theories and hate I see around.

  13. Sid says:

    @Ashraf,
    “Unless you beleive that the Malegaon and Nanded cases are just frame-ups to please us…” – There is nothing to believe. Why do not you ask the government to present the evidence to the court instead of a trial by media? But let us first prove that they indeed broke the law. Hindu or no Hindu – law breakers must be punished. But, no, only Hindus are terrorists. Non Hindus in this country can blow up buildings and can help enemies in killing other Indians because they are ‘oppressed’, are not they? Even if courts can punish them, they can not be hanged, because they are s-o-o-o-o ‘oppressed’ and ‘aggrieved’.

    “Is there something in the right wing ideology which says they cannot be?” – There is nothing in right wing ideology that justifies murder or blowing up anything. Leftist ideology is another matter, given the support for Maoist thugs among Delhi based leftists, leftist apparently have a love for mass murders. But, then, I am the rhetorician because I speak for Hindus and you are the holder of the truth because you are so open-minded. Hah!!!
    “However the murder of 50 cannot justify the murder of 2000 or vice-versa.” – Get your facts correct. A total of 1200+ deaths are registered out of which around 800+ deaths were Muslims. Did the train burning received enough attention, really? So was there an investigation at all against those who burnt the train in the first case? Where is that investigation and how did those who were responsible for it were brought to the justice?

    “And stop the rheoteric of my violence was more moral than yours” – Really? You have written this before: “Nathuram Godse, the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi hailed from Pune.” So, this means because Godse was from Pune, all residents from Pune are people filled with hate and they were fully capable of blowing their own city in smoke. Because Pakistan was never involved in killing Gandhi, they can not blow any building in India. That is a very straight forward “secular” logic, I get it.

    “The Bajrang Dals role in fanning riots is well documented” – How are Antulay and Bajrang Dal connected escapes me. But, then again, you may have a “open-minded” theory that Mumbai carnage was a big Hindu right-wing conspiracy where Pakistanis were hired to defame Muslims. Thus Bajrang Dal’s role can be proved.

    “The entire country is burning and a big part of the reason is the hate spread by the right wing and its constituents” – I am pretty sure that open minded theorists have found that so far all terrorist activity in the soil of India is accomplished by Hindu “right-wing” fanatic groups. The only thing missing in the theory is proof, but then proof is an illusion of closed minded Hindu fanatics who always spread hate-filled rhetoric, open minds really always have full confidence in their theories.

    “Muslims have fought and died for this country.” – I am sure they did. So many have died because of “direct action day”. Md. Afjal is one such great names who fought for the country, his country that is. I am sure you are proving your patriotism by bringing in the question of Hindu right wingers when hand of Pakistan is so obvious. This is now a repeated pattern. Now that every blast would be performed in Indian soil, Hindu right wing groups would be directly involved. If they can not be linked then the blast must be a result of their hate-filled campaign. Pakistan or M-word can not be connected. Antulay style patriotism as I said before. what do you think of others: brain-dead?

  14. Ashraf says:

    Sorry incorrect tag closue. Only quoted stuff was to be in bold.

    @Sid-

    Lolz. You are actually convinced there is a massive conspiracy against Hinduism in a country where Hinduism is in the actual absolute majority.

    Your arguments are just that- rheoteric. There is little eveidence of what you imply. Also you interpret my words to suit your tastes even though I have made my position actually clear to the contrary.

    Why do not you ask the government to present the evidence to the court instead of a trial by media?. The court case is happening. Indian judiciary does take time. Justice will happen.

    But, no, only Hindus are terrorists. Wow, any evidence of this bias. Till now I have heard only Muslims complain that only they can be terrorists. And pretty funny stuff about all that non Hindus can blow up stuff because they are oppressed. I see no evidence to back your assertions.

    There is nothing in right wing ideology that justifies murder or blowing up anything. Right wing ideology has a large component of hate. And hate in its more extreme forms allows everything.

    Because you speak for Hindus.. your words are rheoteric Sorry to burst your bubble but you speak for Hindus in about the same level as Osama Bin Laden speaks for all Muslims.

    Where is that investigation and how did those who were responsible for it were brought to the justice? The train burning happened in Gujrat where BJP was in power and has been still. Are you telling me despite this there was a bias and accused were allowed to go scot free. This is the rheoteric I talk about. Tall statements not based on facts. We can argue about the exact figures but with the same anguish that you condemm the train burning, condemm the murder of the 1200 people also.

    So, this means because Godse was from Pune, all residents from Pune are people Wow, did you not cringe before making this statement. This obviously contradicts everything I have said. How can I stereotype an entire city. What I said Pune has been an old right wing base. The secular logic argument that you give is flawed. Look at my first statement.I am not saying that the GB bomb blast is the handiwork of Hindu outfits. I am saying that the investigations must be pursued with an open mind. I have asked for investigations. The Pune bombing outrages me. Pakistan does as a policy support terror in India and the role is well documented. And it should be condemmed. But the case should be cracked first.However where exactly the pseudo secularist that I am say that Pakistan cannot do this or something similar as you so passionately insist

    How are Antulay and Bajrang Dal connected escapes me. They are not. This is related to the whole country is burning idea. The country is not burning because of terrorism. The biggest threat before our nation in my opinion is Maoists. Huge areas of India are now no go for government because of Naxals. Then second comes hate- because if we hate each other enough everything will burn. No, I dont think the right wing is dangerousbecause it is involved in bomb blasts. They are dangerous because they spread hate which is already poisoning tha nature. Terrorism is the third problem. It needs better prevention and intelligence efforts. Most of the terrorist appear to have links with handlers across the country. This shows the importance of effective intelligence. Terrorism is a law and order problem.

    Muslims have fought and died for this country Your mockery and the failure to acknowledge the sacrifices shows the hate. Md Afzal is just one name. He does not represent Muslims just as no single person represent Hindus. Partition is a story long over but remember while for your forefathers the choice was made, every Muslim in India made the choice to stay in India, beleiving in the idea of India. By dying for the country I talk about people likeBrigadier Usman who died for India in Kashmir in 1948 and so many other Muslims who have served the country since. You whose own actions through hate are probably corroding the nation do not get to question my patriotism or those of Muslims as a whole.

    I may be a pseudo secularist but I still beleive in the idea of India and the plurality of things.

    Jai Hind.

  15. Rohit says:

    There are instances not only in India but around the world which prove that Islam cannot exist in peace with any other religion. China, Russia, Pre Partition India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Phillipine, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, America, Greece, Kashmir, Malaysia etc. Hindus are also present all over world, but one rarely comes across case where they indulged in terrorism and separatism. There is hardly a point in debating on something which needs no debate but conclusion so as to reach to better state of unpartial judgment. After all, everything doesn’t reside in black and white in books/ words and nothing stops us to use common sense, wisdom and knowledge to our own benefit.

  16. Sid says:

    @Ashraf,
    “Your arguments are just that- rheoteric.” – So, why would anyone respond to rhetoric? I know why. Because deep down you know that my response contains stuff you are very uncomfortable with. You are trying hard to shoot down my arguments, whenever you find that tough, you are resorting to ranting.

    “And pretty funny stuff … your assertions.” – did you hear of something called sarcasm? I am not the one who has started with ‘oppression’ theory. It is your pseudo-secular clan that come up with the theory every time terrorists bomb a place.

    “Right wing ideology has a large component of hate.” – Do you even know what is called right-wing politics?

    “Sorry to burst your bubble but you speak for Hindus … Osama Bin Laden speaks for all Muslims.” – So whoever does not agree with you is comparable to someone deplorable. I know your p-sec teachers taught you this line of logic, this generally do not cut anywhere outside English Language Indian media. I can not speak for all Hindus, but neither do you speak for all Muslims to give a blank declaration that all Indian Muslims love India.

    “Are you telling me despite this there was a bias and accused were allowed to go scot free.” – If you have some facts supporting your argument other than “BJP was in power” then I am interested to read about them. But I guess presenting facts and evidences is against p-sec ethos and practices.

    “… condemm the murder of the 1200 people also.” – Nowhere I have said that a murder of even one person makes me feel happy. At the same vein, your anguish about some selective murders and amnesia about the rest makes me not just uncomfortable but very very angry. When some opportunists chose to highlight a few violent incidents and try to claim victim-hood, it becomes necessary for others to highlight other incidents that the opportunists choose to have amnesia with.

    “How can I stereotype an entire city.” – You already did based on what I quoted in the last post. I am not sure if your pseudo-secular brain can grasp the meaning of the sentences you have written yourself but any third person can read the quote and understand. This is a classic “secular” turn-around.

    “Terrorism is a law and order problem.” – It gives me a hope that may be there is something we may agree to. For the first time, I am seeing a p-sec response that is not tying poverty or governance or “grief” of a community to terrorists and trying to provide an implicit justification to mass murder. Maoists are terrorists too. Just because they call themselves Maoists does not mean we have to call themselves same.

    “By dying for the country … Brigadier Usman … served the country since.” – Brigadier Usman is a single Muslim. Just like Md. Afjal. So giving example of Md. Afjal and suspecting some unknowns from the related community is a symbol of hate. But giving another single example and then proving how the entire community is loyal to the country is “secularism”. I am not surprised. This is the logic p-secular community is used to. The very fact that you have to invoke a martyr from 1948 in search of a name from minority community gives evidence (but you did not mention Kalam, may be he is too Hindu-like and thus not fit for the role of a “secular” idle) of the recent sacrifices the “minority” community made towards India’s integrity. It tells a volume.

    “I may … the plurality of things. – I thought you did not like the right-wingers. So you are a pluralist but your plural world has no place for a right winger. I am not questioning the idea of plurality itself, I am just exploring the fascinating and logically inconsistent world of p-secularist politics.

  17. Anupam says:

    Not sure if this is the appropriate thread but outlook is trying really hard to invent Hindu terror..if they keep doing this, day is not far when international media will pick it up as is and this will become an international media thing….this propoganda they must be
    stopped

    http://www.outlookindia.com/content.asp

    this is the cover story again….

  18. B Shantanu says:

    @Anupam: Thanks for alerting…My quick comments…
    The article is grandly titled “Hindu Terror” but does not explain how these acts were motivated by “Hindu” beliefs or “Hindu” traditions. There are also a few references to “Hindutva” but no attempt is made to explain the term “Hindutva” or what it means according to the authors…

    The most revealing bit – in my opinion – is the last line which reads (emphasis added), “Only when the CBI puts all the pieces together will the entire Hindutva terror picture emerge, if at all“.

    In other words, lots of speculation and conjecture here; few firm facts…

    More later. Thanks again.

  19. There is no such thing as “Hindu Terror/Fanatic”. Just as “Islamist ideology” & “Loyalty to Nation” is an oxymoron, by the same token “Hindu” and “Terror” is also an oxymoron.
    “Outlook” should be extremely careful before making such sweeping comments.

  20. Anupam says:

    @Shantanu @AkhandBhaarat

    And they are running it as cover story and I remember that they had run this as a cover story once before as well when Hemant Karakare was working on the Malegaon case…

  21. Sanjay says:

    Here’s an extract from the Outlook article http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?266145

    QUOTE “The 4,528-page chargesheet filed in the Malegaon case offers insight into the grand design of the Abhinav Bharat and its affiliates. Purohit, the Sadhvi and others had spoken to one another “to avenge bomb attacks on Hindu shrines” and had engineered a series of blasts with the larger ambition to establish a “separate Hindu rashtra”. Abhinav Bharat—whose original avatar was started by Veer Savarkar, later disbanded, and restarted by Himani Savarkar—was set up to achieve this ambition. “This organised crime syndicate,” states the chargesheet, “wanted to adopt a national flag, that is, a solo-themed saffron flag with a golden border…with an ancient golden torch.”UNQUOTE

    In keeping with the spirit of this blog and especially of Satyameva Jayate, it would be worthwhile to investigate the raison d’etre and claims of organizations like Abhinav Bharat rather than dismiss the article out of hand because it isn’t in conformity with one’s beliefs.

  22. B Shantanu says:

    In keeping with the spirit of this blog and especially of Satyameva Jayate, it would be worthwhile to investigate the raison d’etre and claims of organizations like Abhinav Bharat rather than dismiss the article out of hand because it isn’t in conformity with one’s beliefs.

    Point well made Sanjay…and taken.
    I hope to dig deeper into this sometime over the next few weeks (slightly tied up work-wise)…
    More on this soon. Thanks