A free-for-all freestyle
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. — Voltaire
Speaking of freedom of speech, an angry blog post by Amrutha provided me with the link to this post by one Deepak Kamat. Kamat writes of an Islamist conspiracy that involves luring Hindu girls into conversion. He says:
The Rama Sainiks have done a good job in saving Hindu girls. I am not saying this. The masses in Mangalore stand by these so-called hooligans because they want to protect their women from the clutches of the oh-so-peaceful Islamic jehadis — whom the media is ever eager to please.
To put it mildly, I think the man is an A-grade bigot. The sort to whom being Hindu means being against everything non-Hindu. The exclusivist nationalist whose ‘nation’ only exists inside his head. Kamat seems to be exactly the sort of man I have been at odds with my entire life.
And yet, his blog post made me happy. I am happy because he wrote that blog post and I am happy that that blog post exists on the web along with this blog post by me and this one by Amrutha.
I am happy that none of us are being asked to shut up or being threatened with a lawsuit for saying what we need to say. I am happy that we are all talking.
When I look at the post you linked to, it is the same argument said in different ways. There is a very strong movement to recreate the Goebbelian truth (or lie). It has been happening on the ground and it’s spread online too. The comments on Amrutha’s post follow a similar pattern. The labeling is now blatant and it’s only a matter of time when a centrist view will be called anti-national.
The only way out is to engage. And thank god for the internet, it is possible to do so, without getting into a physical brawl. Although this online interaction will not change the ground reality. Hopefully in a few years there will be enough momentum to make a small impact.
Keep blogging. More. And More. The open letter style is nice.
The Comic Project
31 Jan 09 at 10:03 pm
I have always believed that you can’t change nutheads with sane talk. But the reason we should speak up every time someone says blatant absurd things in public is for the benefit of the bystanders. If you can’t shut them up, then put across your viewpoint with force and let it be known that the nuthead does not represent you.
A culture is made – or destroyed – by its articulate voices. — Ayn Rand
Vijayendra Mohanty
31 Jan 09 at 10:08 pm
Umm.. I must thank Mr Kamat for inventing the term “Jihadi Sex”. Sounds like a action+porn movie out of the middle east.
I forgive him his bigotry. Hope Jihadi Sex becomes the next internet meme…
Fly, You Fool Comics
1 Feb 09 at 11:02 pm
Hey! C’mon over. This Mr. Kamat is trying to justify his stance by calling me a bigot instead…
Interesting discussion is on…
Amrutha
7 Feb 09 at 7:18 am