Thursday, January 29, 2009

Moral Policing and India!

What is moral policing? Moral Policing is in actuality a religious police or Clerical Police and it exists in Saudi Arabia. In India it seems to be an attempt to control the cultural and moral atmosphere prevalent in society. How did it start here in India, an amalgamation of cultures and traditions? See how it has grown in the South...It seems to me that this is the quick fast approach taken by political groups to gain mileage.

The shameful brutal attack in Mangalore is evidence of an increasing intolerance thanks to moral policing in society. Exactly who has given the right to Rama Sena to protect us? What I am appalled at is the confidence with which the unlawful attack was carried out. What is more disturbing is that Women are being targeted. Good to know that the NCW will be probing the attack.

Though nothing much has changed in the past 4 years. This was the case in 2005 and it still rings true.

Thanks to the media, who have been telecasting the incident over and over again there have been close to 27 arrests made. The erstwhile chief Pramod Mutalik has finally been arrested for the Mangalore case.
Women are being misused and misguided. We oppose this. Women have to be protected as the law has failed. We are the custodians of Indian Culture, Pramod Mutalik | President, RHS

Who exactly is misguiding and misusing Women? If the law has failed, work towards setting the law right. Taking the law in your own hands does not solve the problem. It makes you criminal in the eyes of law. Hooliganism is not the answer. And who made you the custodians of Indian culture? Who has
given you the right to morally police us, especially the women. if they are so interested in uplifting and defending our virtues there are a number of cases they can take up. Female foeticide, Rape, Domestic Violence...to name a few. Work towards enriching a woman's safety and future instead of harassing her. And why specifically target the pub culture? Relaxing with friends is no crime. If they object to the drinking then they really should practice what they preach.

And which religion says violence and subjugation is the way to preserve Indian Culture? Educate the men that women are not mere objects of sexual desire. They are living human beings too with their own desires, wants and feelings and ambition. If the men are taught to behave and not believe that they are gods gift to man kind, such outfits will have no place in our country. Does Indian culture mean being a Hindu and not socialising with people of "other religions"?

And banning the outfit is really not the solution. All of them have to be booked and suitably tried in court. Why does our government shy of trying them. Anytime any outfit takes the law into their own hands, they talk of banning them as though that will solve the problem and keep the common people happy.
Their method was wrong. I apologise for that. It should not have happened. But it was done to save our daughters and mothers from an alien culture," a defiant Muthalik said

yea right! first you attack and then apologise! I love it when the media does get responsible and Arnab deserves a pat on the back. My biggest grouse is that this whole incident could have been avoided had the media that was present been responsible and informed the police of the attack.

This whole hog wash about protecting and guiding women stems from the fact that today women are more independent and are refusing to be subjugated. Today she is demanding equal rights to everything. She is a liberated woman today and the fact that she does not have to depend on any man is a major cause for grievance for such outfits. That is the primary reason why the women are being targeted.

I'd really like to let go of my religion and be only known as an Indian and not be classified by my religion or gender. how many would like to do that? And just imagine if all of us just denounce our religion, not faith in god. Wouldn't that be a great way to live, in harmony. That is a far away dream.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

India Helps!

In wake of the Mumbai Terror, there are so many who have helped, and those who would like to help but do not know how. For those, Kiran has started India Helps, an effort to help in anyway possible. The description below is straight copy and paste from the blog description.

What is IndiaHelps?

This blog is an effort to help. Help India, help ourselves to help ourselves. Because if we dont do it, no one will. Anyone with an urge to do more than just be a bystander to the carnage and mayhem that wrecks the parts of our country everytime we have a disaste r causes by external elements or through natural causes, can help.We will maintain a database of people who are in a position and are willing to be of assistance, either immediately during the crisis itself, or later in relief and rehabilitation.We will put people wanting to contribute financially to victims in direct contact with NGOs doing the same or the victims directly.We will look for good samaritans who are willing to contribute towards medical expenses, post traumatic therapy requirements, and prosthesis requirements for those rendered disabled in such situations.We will attempt to sponsor the education of the bereaved children by putting dedicated and serious citizens who wish to do so in direct contact with the bereaved family.We have many hopes. And need all the help we can. We're looking for those who can contribute skills at the times of crisis: Doctors, medically trained personnel, ex-army personnel, even anyone who has a vehicle and is willing to drive critically injured people to hospitals or ferry people from danger spots to safe zones. Anyone with a space that can be used a s a refuge area for people stuck in times of natural calamities like floods or total power blackouts, please do write in.Write in to indiahelps(at)gmail(dot)com if you would like to help in anyway, or have any suggestions.

Kiran Manral
Founder

Do contact Kiran at
indiahelps(at)gmail(dot)com if you can help with donations, food, clothes or other specialized services. Also you could get the message across by adding this badge on your blog.


Code to the badge:

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