A Boot Stamping On a Human Face—Forever

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 24 March 2025 My erudite and liberal editor friend of an Urdu daily published from Aurangabad and for which I often write, messaged me recently that he got a strict warning from the higher echelons to refrain from mentioning the names of Hindu 'activists' (nowadays, the word 'activist' has become a euphemism for a goon) involved in the riots and vandalism in Nagpur. Only one Fahim Khan's name is being highlighted as the mastermind. While he's a known and confirmed rogue in Nagpur, there's no gainsaying the fact that there were Hindus as well. It takes two to tango. My bibliophile editor friend quoted George Orwell's famous quote in this context, "If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever." This famously grim quote, by George Orwell in his novel 1984, serves as a stark warning to the danger of authoritarian regimes. It speaks of a dystopian future in which a totalitarian government oppresses its citizens with an iron grip and tramples on their basic human rights. It is a warning that unchecked power can lead to a dire and oppressive future in which freedom and liberty are completely denied. It also serves as a reminder that we should always be vigilant in protecting liberty and freedom from those who wish to strip away these rights. Lies and rumours are rampant. They're as discernible as a thick blanket of smoke. This is possible because political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind. Political language is often designed to manipulate and mislead rather than provide clarity and truth. It is a tool that gives power to those who use it, who can warp its meaning to their will. Through language, those in power can make lies sound like facts and moral crimes sound respectable. In this way, they can place a veneer of reliability over their words, even if they lack any substance. Today, the very concept of objective truth is fading out of the world. Lies will pass into history. In a world where truth is no longer universal or absolute, lies and falsehoods can be seen as acceptable or even beneficial in certain contexts. This contributes to a reduction in trust, as well as a decrease in the sense of community and solidarity between people. As the concept of objective truth fades away, it is replaced by a fog of deception, making it difficult to differentiate between what is right and wrong. We're relying too much on lies and the consequences of relying too heavily on lies can be dire. When the Truth is on the scaffold, lies become even more bold. Believe you me, far worse days are on the anvil. Call me cynical or even Cassandra, this is bound to happen. ... A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. ... URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/fahim-khan-nagpur-vandalism/d/134954 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism