| Letters to the Editor | |
| 17 Mar 2009, NewAgeIslam.Com | |
| Let Varun Gandhi not succeed where the worst terrorists have failed | |
Under the circumstances Muslim leaders should realize that the Varun brigade is spoiling for communal clashes and provoking the Muslim community to react. Restraint is what needs to be exercised by Muslims. Communal harmony should be maintained. Let not Varun Gandhi succeed where the worst terrorists have failed. Let not Muslims fall into the trap and be provoked. They should follow the example of Hindus who refused to be provoked by any number of terror attacks. -- Dr. Mookhi Amir Ali, Mumbai
With Taliban at the door in neighbouring Pakistan, we need a secular government in India, not a party with a communal agenda. We must set a better example to hate-filled Pakistan than electing our own venomous leaders. -- A.M. Jamsheed Basha The comments of the news channel (CNN-IBN) are of an editorial nature and not news reporting. I wonder what is communal about this speech. Ashok Chowgule, Vice President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
URL for this Page: http://newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1253 ---------------------------------
Let Varun Gandhi not succeed where the worst terrorists have failed
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:04:51 +0000 [08:34:51 AM IST] From: Dr A R Mookhi To: Sultan Shahin Editor@NewAgeIslam.com
Subject: Yet Another Hindu Hriday-Samrat?
Varun Gandhi has succeeded in getting all the attention on himself by his outrageously communal tirade. While he has enraged Sikhs and Muslims, every right thinking person has been shocked. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have openly expressed disapproval of this style of communal campaigning. One BJP leader has even threatened to disassociate himself from Varun's campaign. Apparently a "highly objectionable slang used by Varun in his reference to Muslims could just spark off a violent communal clash."
Under the circumstances Muslim leaders should realize that the Varun brigade is spoiling for communal clashes and provoking the Muslim community to react. Restraint is what needs to be exercised by Muslims. Communal harmony should be maintained. Let not Varun Gandhi succeed where the worst terrorists have failed. Let not Muslims fall into the trap and be provoked. They should follow the example of Hindus who refused to be provoked by any number of terror attacks.
If Haroon Ahmed of the Samajwadi Party has an audio-recording of Varun's words running down Muslims it is best that he does not gather an audience of Muslims to play the audio to. He should trust Varun's rival or the Election Commissioner or the Law Enforcement agencies to take the appropriate action.
If as he says Muslim leaders "have been restraining" Muslims "from retaliating" it is a sensible and Gandhian thing to do. It is in the interest of the country and the community. However his question in the next breath "but how long can we stop people from reacting?" does not sound so Gandhian. Such subtle provocation is best avoided.
Dr.Mookhi Amir Ali Sushma, Dadabhai Rd., Santacruz West, Mumbai 400054 170309 ---
Date: 17 Mar 2009 14:52:24 -0000 [03/17/2009 08:22:24 PM IST] To: Sultan Shahin Editor@NewAgeIslam.com
Dear Sultan Shahin,
I am very much disturbed at the hatred-filled speech of Varun Gandhi against Muslims, which was unwarranted at this stage. I have thus expressed my views in the following article. Jamsheed Basha ---
Varun Gandhi's Tirade Against Muslims: BJP's Communal Agenda Exposed
By A.M. Jamsheed Basha, Chennai-based Columnist. Posted: 17.3.2009 7.35 p.m.
BJP is in tatters over internal squabbles between the top brass of the party. Varun Gandhi's speech at Philibhit, came as a shocker sending tremors within the party. BJP's Muslim poster boy Mukhthar Abbas Naqvi, VP, instead of condemning the speech of Varun Gandhi in Philibhit, has blamed his Congress lineage calling it a manifestation of his family's past Congress culture and that his outburst did not reflect BJP's traditional culture.
Many BJP leaders were speechless and unable to hide their resentment over the remarks which were uncalled for and unnecessary given the charged atmosphere prevailing in the country over India's fight against terrorism. BJP unable to come to terms with two of their top leaders: Arun Jaitely and Rajnath Singh are on logger heads over Mittal factor. The crisis in the party is deepening with Arun Jaitely and Yedurruppa skipped the important poll panel meeting held today. At this stage when the BJP is still to come to terms with its internal dissension and conflicts, Varun Gandhi's speech has added to its woes and it was a perfect fodder for secular front to lambast the saffron party for its communal outlook. RSS spokesperson came in high defence of Varun and tried to justify his speech, while BJP's leadership expressed their anguish over it.
All said and done, immeasurable damage has been done by the young Gandhi to the Party and its tremors would be felt all over the country in the coming elections. This single speech though made inadvertently or at the behest of communalists, is going to cost too much for BJP in the elections. It is now clear that BJP has its hidden agenda and any outward secular projection is only to deceive Muslim voters. They have thus been exposed. Muslim voters would now have a clear view of the saffron agenda and would certainly rally around the secular outfits. It is time for Congress and other allies believing in secularism to tighten the noose around the BJP and its allies to expose their hidden agenda. India does not need a communal party to form the next govt, is for sure as barbaric forces of the Taliban are sounding their presence not far away from India. India needs to fight its own battle against the growing menace of the Taliban and their terror outfits as US and allies have their own agenda fixed in the region and they did not wish to do away with Pakistan in their fight against terror. In such a situation, only a secular combination would provide a very stable govt to tackle these situations.
It is therefore UPA, who else, with its secular credentials intact would be the best option for Muslims to vote en block, to safeguard their interest and that of the country. Such a derogatory speech coming at a time when there was a marked change in the overall attitude of Muslims towards Indian nationalism following the dastardly attack on Mumbai on 26/11 in which more than forty Muslims were also killed, was most unfortunate.
Muslims demonstrated their love for the country expressing solidarity and unity during the trying hours following 26/11. The Muslims of Mumbai even travelled an extra mile to demonstrate their loyalty to the country by refusing to bury the dead militants even though they were Muslims, for the reasons that those who carried out the heinous attack on the innocent civilians in Mumbai were not Muslims but criminals and they cannot be buried in a Muslim cemetery. What better example one can give of Muslim change of attitude than the one above demonstrated by the Muslims of Mumbai? The bodies of dead militants are still lying in morgue in Mumbai. At this stage, when Muslims have thrown their weight with the government and security forces to combat the menace of terrorism, Varun Gandhi's speech against Muslims, was very unfortunate and it only reveals the extent to which this young man was indoctrinated with hate-Muslim agenda by the communal elements.
What is now required on the part of the Muslim community is to react proactively to such tirades and hate campaigns through ballot by casting their votes to the secular parties and only to those parties which promise to safeguard their interest and secure their future. Nothing should be done to disturb the placid waters of communal harmony prevailing in the country. Muslim leaders and Muslim intelligentsia have an important role to play and to rise above fissiparous tendencies at this hour and express their anguish at such insinuations against Muslim community.
It is for sure that what Varun Gandhi said was certainly not the view of the majority of Hindus in the country. Muslim voters may be educated to guard against such parties and support only those who stand for India's unity in diversity and promise to implement all the recommendations of Sachar Committee report which is gathering dust in the Central Secretariat. What is needed today is a strong government to lead India without any discrimination on the basis of religion, region, caste or creed. India's basic strength lies in its unity of people of all faith, and Muslims form an important link of the long chain of all faiths. BJP's image has now touched the rock bottom after the hate-speech of Varun Gandhi. It has to do damage control in the wake of the arrest warrant issued against Varun Gandhi on the basis of the swift action taken by the Election Commission.
Condemning the tirade of Varun Gandhi, Congress spokesman Abhishekh Singhvi said "Varun is associated with a party which has this ideology (anti-minority) and culture". BJP seems to be much embarrassed and was quick to issue an advisory to all its nominees for the polls to "practice caution" in their speeches. When asked whether the party would initiate disciplinary action against Gandhi for his inflammatory speech, party spokesperson Siddhart Nath Singh said, "that is to be seen but we do not subscribe to such views and this is sure."
A bare reading of the speech of Varun Gandhi would reveal his bent of mind. What he said at rallies in Philibhit is too offensive to be published in any media, though some sections of the electronic media are telecasting some of the less hateful remarks he made at one of the rallies.
I leave it to the readers to draw their own conclusion from the venom spewed by none other than the young scion of estranged Gandhi family, Varun Gandhi, and a member of BJP. A call to Muslims to maintain unity at any cost. Jai Hind. ----
from Ashok Chowgule to Sultan Shahin Editor@NewAgeIslam.com date 17 March 2009 11:16
subject VIDEO OF VARUN GANDHI'S SPEECH
The comments of the news channel are of an editorial nature and not news reporting. I wonder what is communal about this speech. As far as a 'new low' is concerned, the media should be concerned about the support that the Marxists (and even the Congress party) are giving to a known terrorist in Kerala. And they should be concerned about comments like 'Maut ke Saudagar" by Sonia Gandhi during the time of the Gujarat elections.
Do see the video:
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/87851/varun-gandhis-speech-marks-a-new-low-in-indian-politics.html
Namaste Ashok Chowgule, Vice President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) ---
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:14:40 -0400 [04:44:40 PM IST] From: The Wisdom Fund To: Sultan Shahin Editor@NewAgeIslam.com
Subject: Grandson of Indira Gandhi Targets Indian Muslims
March 17, 2009
Varun Gandhi Targets Muslims, BJP Shocked
If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus then I swear on the Gita that I will cut that hand, says Varun
Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh): The strident communal overtones of the campaign being run by Varun Gandhi has left his own party (BJP) workers shocked.
The 29-year-old son of Maneka and late Sanjay Gandhi is contesting his maiden Lok Sabha election from Pilibhit constituency. Maneka Gandhi gave up the seat to ensure his easy entry into the Lok Sabha.
On Sunday Varun was issued a notice by the district authorities in Pilibhit. What came as a shocker is his staunchly pro-Hindu and rabid anti-Muslim vitriolic that his opponents and supporters say could trigger a communal clash.
From taking up issues like the ban on cow slaughter to asking a Sikh leader to leave a Hindu meeting, Varun has been ruffling feathers everywhere.
Though just one offensive remark captured by a TV channel drew the attention of the local authorities, the scion of the estranged Gandhi family has been busy making such statements all over Pilibhit.
While "Jai Shri Ram" is his battle-cry at all roadside meetings or assemblies, some of the other slogans being used are "Gau hatya rukwana hai, Varun Gandhi ko jitana hai" (Cow slaughter must stop, Varun Gandhi must win) and "Varun nahin yeh aandhi hai, doosra Sanjay Gandhi hai (Varun Gandhi is like a storm, he is another Sanjay Gandhi)".
Varun has already addressed three 'Hindu sammellans'. While the district administration has taken cognizance of his utterances at a meet in Barkhera on March 8, those at earlier meetings in Dalchand on March 6 and at Lalori Khera locality on February 22 have almost gone unnoticed.
On March 6, he said at the Dalchand meeting - "Agar kissi galat tatv ke aadmi ne, kisi Hindu pe haath uthaya ya hinduon ke upar yeh samajh key ki yeh kamzor hain, unke peeche koi nahi hai... hinduon ke upar haath uthaya, mein geeta ki kasam khake kehta hoon ki mein uss haath ko kaat daaloonga. (If somebody lifts a hand against Hindus, or thinks they are weak, there is nobody behind them, then I swear on the (Bhagvad) Gita that I will cut off that hand)".
It has left even leaders who are working for his victory flabbergasted.
"I am a BJP activist and a Hindu too. But I am not in favour of launching a communally charged campaign. If Varun Gandhi persists with such style of campaigning, I would be compelled to keep myself away from it," a popular BJP leader in Puranpur, Naresh Verma told IANS.
"Varun is going out of hand. If he is not restrained, this election could end in a bloody communal clash," added another BJP veteran Gurdial Singh.
The 70-year-old Sikh from Ramnagar village was even asked to leave one of the Hindu meets being addressed by Varun.
"He neither has respect for any other religion nor even for elders. In his arrogance, he has gone to the extent of forgetting that his mother was also a Sikh before her marriage," Gurudial said.
If the BJP is alarmed, other parties are determined to ensure that this stops.
"We have audio-recordings of the provocative language used by Varun Gandhi to run down Muslims," claimed a local Samajwadi Party leader, Haroon Ahmad.
"We have been restraining our people from retaliating because that will lead to a clash, but how long can we stop people from reacting?" he asked.
Varun's Congress rival VM Singh said he was "going to make a detailed complaint in this regard to the Election Commission".
"I have been gathering all the evidence against him so far but now I am going to make a written complaint," Singh added.
"The highly objectionable slang used by Varun in his reference to Muslims could just spark off a violent communal clash here." --- Political Parties Response:
Congress leaders meet EC officials to complain over Varun's speech
Posted by Ash gee on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 14:41 This news item was posted in Latest News About India News category and has 0 Comments so far.
New Delhi: Congress leaders on Tuesday met Election Commission officials in New Delhi to complain about Bharatiya Janata Party's Pilibhit candidate Varun Gandhi and his alleged hate-Muslim speeches.
"Whatever Varun Gandhi has said is not only deplorable but deserves action by the Election Commission. We have put up a verbal complaint. We are trying to acquire the CDs. Once we get them, we will file a formal complaint," said Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, who is party in-charge of Uttar Pradesh.
Digvijay Singh, who was accompanied by state party chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi, also accused BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani for communalising Indian politics.
"LK Advani through his Rath Yatras has communalised Indian politics. Whenever polls come up, BJP does this," he told reporters.
The 29-year-old son of Maneka and the late Sanjay Gandhi - younger son of former prime minister Indira Gandhi - was on Sunday issued a notice by the district authorities in Pilibhit, the constituency so carefully nurtured by his mother who gave up the seat to ensure his easy entry into the Lok Sabha.
Varun Gandhi said in Pilibhit on Tuesday that the CD containing his speech had been tampered with.
He also said that he would address a press conference in Delhi from a proper party platform on Wednesday and clarify his stand on the controversy. ---
BJP ISSUES ADVISORY BJP asks leaders to be careful after Varun's hate speech
CNN-IBN: Published on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 12:01, Updated on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 15:37 in March 16, 2009
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued an advisory to all its candidates to refrain from targeting any particular community during election rallies after the Election Commission issued a notice to Varun Gandhi after he reportedly delivered a speech against Muslims.
"BJP has advised all the candidates in the election fray to maintain caution and restrain while giving their speeches and otherwise as well. This issue has been answered by Varun and EC has taken note of this so let EC decide on it. We must understand that Varun says this CD is tampered," BJP media cell convenor Siddharth Nath Singh said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The party also admitted that Varun Gandhi's speech has affected BJP's image.
"BJP believes in integration and what we have seen on TV is unacceptable. This is Congress culture. This is not our culture. Yes! the BJP's image has been affected by his comments BJP has instructed all its candidates to integrate and we will decide what action has to be taken against him by party after his explanation," said BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
However, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, a prominent Muslim leader of the BJP demanded that Varun Gandhi publicly apologise for making the speech.
EC slaps notice on Varun for anti-Muslim speech Varun's speech marks a new low in Indian politics Varun Gandhi made the hate speech targeting Muslims during his election rallies in Pilibhit from where he will be contesting Lok Sabha elections for the first time.
The Election Commission will meet on Tuesday to discuss the issue and has also asked for the tapes to review his speech.
CNN-IBN on Monday showed Varun making a provocative speech targeting Muslims in which he reportedly said that he will cut the hands of those who target Hindus.
A Congress delegation led by All India Congress Committee member Digvijay Singh will also meet Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy at Election Commission office in New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon. ---- URL for this Page: http://newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1253
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10:18 PM
Sultan Shahin
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