Raut gives bizarre analogy trying to defend party after Azan row: Here are 4 things that he could have meant – OpIndia
Posted: December 8, 2020 at 9:54 pm
Earlier this week, a video of a Shiv Sena leader promising to organise an Azaan recitation competition for Muslim children went viral on the internet. The proclamation drew severe flak from netizens on social media websites and invited criticism from the opposition parties like the BJP.
Several social media users criticised Shiv Sena for its brazen pandering to the minorities. The BJP, on the other hand, accused Shiv Sena of bartering Hindutva for minority votes. One of the BJP leaders slammed Shiv Sena for its decision to organise an azaan recitation competition and alleged that the only thing left for Shiv Sena now is to carry a green flag on its shoulders.
Unnerved by the criticism his announcement garnered, Shiv Sena leader Pandurang Sakpal, who had claimed that Shiv Sena would organise an azaan recitation competition on the lines of Bhagavad Gita recitation and even reward the winners, made an about-turn, stating he has no plans on conducting such an event.
However, it appears that the party is bent on tying itself in knots as it tries to defend the indefensible. Earlier today, an editorial was published in party mouthpiece Saamana, lambasting the critics for Senas contentious announcement of organising an azaan recitation competition.
In its bid to criticise the detractors accusing the party of courting minorities, Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, who is also the editor of Saamana, proffered a bizarre and ambiguous analogy in the editorial that lends itself to multiple interpretation.
Dragging Shiv Sena through the mud on the issue of azaan recitation competition is akin to calling protesting farmers in Delhi Pakistani terrorists, the editorial published in Saamana said. This ambivalent parallel drawn by Sanjay Raut in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece can mean a host of things. Here are the four things that Raut could have meant with this absurd comparison.
The most basic interpretation of the aforementioned analogy in Saamana could mean that Shiv Sena agrees that the protests carried out in Delhi are done by Pakistani terrorists. This assertion may not be far-fetched as the protests convulsing the national capital region and the Punjab-Haryana border has seen participation from pro-Khalistani elements.
At the very least, it would seem like political parties, Khalistani elements etc have come together to mislead farmers, spread misinformation, and ensure that the country burns.
Deep Sidhu, a Punjabi actor, became the face of the protests after his video threatening a security official manning a barricade went viral on the internet. Subsequently, Sidhu was offered a platform by Barkha Dutt and Shekhar Gupta to come clean on the allegations of him being a Khalistani supporter. However, Sidhu dug his heels in, hailing Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a revolutionary fighter who fought for a strong federal structure and refusing to condemn him as a terrorist.
It is an established fact that Khalistanis, in their heydays during the 1980s, were morally and financially supported by Pakistan. The ulterior motive of Pakistanis then was to dismember India as a retributory action for the secession of Bangladesh back in 1971 by aiding the Khalistanis. In this context, Pakistan had waged a proxy war on India with the help of Khalistanis. The Khalistan supporters and sympathisers can therefore be effectively compared to Pakistani terrorists, who are trying to revive militancy and stoke unrest in India.
If Sanjay Raut did not mean that the protesters thronging the national capital are terrorists, then the corollary that naturally follows it would imply that for Shiv Sena and Sanjay Raut, Khalistanis are not terrorists, since the protests were decidedly hijacked by Khalistani proponents.
The protests and blockades carried out by the so-called protesters saw posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale being raised at various places. On other instances, protesters could not hide their Khalistani impulses. The demonstrators gloated on former PM Indira Gandhis assassination and threatened PM Modi with a similar fate. Pro-Khalistan slogans were also raised by the protesters who were apparently demonstrating against the three new agriculture laws.
Since Shiv Sena has a history of trading their ideology for petty political gains, it remains to be seen what is Sanjay Rauts stand on Khalistanis who had taken over the farmers protests. Would Shiv Sena condemn the protests or will it, like its alliance partnersNCP and Congresscontinue to turn a blind to the Khalistani presence in the ongoing protests?
Another interpretation that the ambivalent analogy lends itself to is that Shiv Sena is being humanitarian in respecting azaan and minority sentiments. However, admitting to this would effectively mean that Shiv Sainiks in the past were cruel ruffians who allegedly targeted and harassed the states Muslim populace.
Ironically, Sanjay Raut which claims Sena of being a secular party, had in the past asked for disenfranchisement of Muslims. In an editorial published in Saamana in 2015, Raut had called for barring of Muslims from voting, stating that the masks of the secularists will come off if Muslims are disenfranchised. For a long time now, Shiv Sena had preened itself on being a party whose members played an instrumental role in levelling the controversial Babri structure in Ayodhya. Shiv Sena leaders have also been convicted of orchestrating the riots in 1992 in which several Muslims were killed.
The partys past antecedents do not jibe with this interpretation of Shiv Sena being an inclusive and pluralistic party in organising the azaan recitation competition. Nonetheless, if Shiv Sena still persists with this outlook, it would mean denouncing its past and therefore implicitly admitting that it was a party of radical fundamentalists earlier.
The last interpretation that emerges from Rauts absurd comparison is that whoever does not agree with Shiv Sena is a terrorist and must be treated as one. This appears to be the most likely case when Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that criticising Shiv Sena for keeping Azaan recitation competition is tantamount to calling protesters in Delhi terrorists.
This stance was evident in its full glory when the Uddhav Thackeray government relentlessly pursued Republic TV, just because it asked uncomfortable questions of the Uddhav Thackeray government.
Ever since Arnab Goswami criticised the state government on its handling of Palghar lynching of Hindu sadhus, the Maharashtra government, of which Shiv Sena is a part, carried out a relentless witch hunt against the journalist and his channel Republic TV. Multiple FIRs were lodged against him. Republic TV employees were routinely harassed. A Republic TV crew was unlawfully jailed when they were pursuing an investigative story in Navi Mumbai.
Mumbai Police commissioner called out a press conference to allege that Republic TV had indulged in manipulating TRPS. Later, it was found that the complaint had mentioned India Today and not Republic TV. The culmination of this witch hunt resulted in the arrest of Arnab Goswami, who was arrested by a phalanx of armed police officials and lodged in the Taloja jail. Mr Goswami had claimed that he was treated like a terrorist and not allowed to meet his lawyers.
Similarly, actor Kangana Ranaut was also attacked by Shiv Sena after she likened Mumbai to Pakistan occupied Kashmir after Azaadi graffiti had defiled the streets of the city. In response to her remarks, BMC demolished her office. The Bombay High Court recently slammed that BMC, stating that the demolition was carried out with malafide intent and directed the corporation to compensate the actor for her loss.
We really have no idea what Sanjay Raut really meant, but that is ok. We are used to it. Arent you yet?
Visit link:
- The Bible Passes the Bechdel Test. It Also Goes Beyond It. - ChristianityToday.com [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2020]
- Diwali a celebration of light and hope - Independent Online [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2020]
- Hindutva Hindrance To Economic Growth And Development In India - OpEd - Eurasia Review [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2020]
- Light Without Wind | Opinion - Harvard Crimson [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2020]
- Spreading the message of Sufism through hip hop - Social News XYZ [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2020]
- Heritage corridor to be developed in Karnal - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2020]
- Romila Thapars Latest Is Recycled Work Of An Evangelist Theme Brahminical Oppression - Swarajya [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2020]
- Dhankhar remembers freedom fighter Khudiram Bose on his birth anniversary - United News of India [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2020]
- Arianna Huffington: Why Resilience Is My Word of the Year for 2020 - Thrive Global [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2020]
- Heritage corridor likely in Karnal by April next - The Tribune India [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2020]
- 5 tips to embark on a career in art - India Today [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2020]
- Subhas Chandra Bose, and the idea of India - The Siasat Daily [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- When did Bhishma die? A reading of the Mahabharata reveals a startling possibility - Scroll.in [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- Biden bible in line with tradition - The Columbian [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- Constitutional crisis in AP: Dr Chinta Mohan - United News of India [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- Secret to leading a happy life - The New Indian Express [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- Inauguration Day: Biden to take oath on his family Bible - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- Getting to know: Dr. Shaiv Kapadia with James River Cardiology - Richmond.com [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- Hindu prayer to open Hot Springs Board in Arkansas for the 1st time in 170 years - Goa Chronicle - Goa Chronicle [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- Decoding the Bhagavadgita - Business Standard [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2021]
- Rihanna Has A History Of Creating Trouble: Hurting Religious Sentiments To Getting Banned - News18 [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2021]
- From cultural appropriation to Sanskrit tattoo, times when Rihanna created controversies - DNA India [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2021]
- Hindu prayer to open Rochester Council in New Hampshire for the 1st time in 130 years - NewsPatrolling [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2021]
- Advocate booked for throwing ink on Kannada writer and rationalist Bhagavan - The Hindu [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2021]
- Asking the Clergy: What is Nirvana? - Newsday [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2021]
- Power of yoga - The Hindu [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2021]
- Book Review: Throwing Light on the Lives and Times of Sir Edwin Arnold - The Wire [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2021]
- Live in peace - Economic Times [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2021]
- Want to make the Bhagavad Gita fun in schools in the Netherlands from group 5? Ancient image of two little girls holding Hindu sacred texts is... [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2021]
- AEW DYNAMITE HITS & MISSES 4/20: Punk and Rhodes hit, Baker misses on the mic, more - PWTorch [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2022]
- A tale of two cities: The rippling effects of Islamophobia in Modis India - TRT World [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2022]
- International Mother Earth Day: Time for Recalling Vedic Wisdom | Odisha Special - Ommcom News [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2022]
- Faith: Choosing God over God's army - Kamloops This Week [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2022]
- IIM-A rolling out Bhagavad Gita course aimed at helping execs navigate dilemmas and trade-offs in business - Moneycontrol [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2022]
- Bhagavad Gita, The Song of God Swami Mukundananda [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2022]
- From Baroda to bulldozers: Gods arent crazy, mobs are - The Indian Express [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- Press Freedom and Unity in Sri Lanka - Daily News [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- The power behind yogic and stoic indifference - wknd. [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Birthday Special: Interesting Facts You Should Know About the Founder of The Art of Li - News18 [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- Cultivating Rage Probably Goes Against the Teachings of Your Tradition - Patheos [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- The 21st century digital revolution of Vedic Worship: The Next Big Thing - Sadhana App - PR Newswire [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- Building blocks of a multi-million dollar value creation, and then some more - Medium [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- MBBS course in Hindi, Gita and Vedas in schools: Uttarakhand govts agenda for education - ThePrint [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- Mega museum on Bhagavad Gita to be inaugurated in Hubballi - The Hindu [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2022]
- There is only one solution to the problem of competitive insults to religions - The Indian Express [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2022] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2022]
- Partition is not a thing of the past: Author Amit Majmudar - Daijiworld.com [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2022] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2022]
- In India's Battle Between Sentiments And Principles, Peace is An Orphan - The Quint [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2022] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2022]
- A century old, how Gita Press came to be 'leading purveyor of print Hinduism' - The Indian Express [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2022] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2022]
- The Essence of Bhakti Yoga | Gudjon Bergmann - Patheos [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2022] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2022]
- Should one fight their own family? Sri Gaur Prabhu explains Arjuna's moral dilemma from Bhagavad Gita's Verse 2.5 - The Times of India [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2024]
- Beyond The Lord of the Rings and Bhagavad Gita, Bookchor stealing attention at World Book Fair - The Patriot [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2024]
- The Illusion of Happiness: Bhagavad Gita's Verse 8 of Chapter 2 on Breaking Free from Suffering - The Times of India [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2024]
- Divine Tests: Does God Engineer Challenges in Life? Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Verse 10 Explained - The Times of India [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2024]
- Morning Messages from Bhagavad Gita about Human Faith Conditioning Them - Times Now [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2024]
- Maximum hcps writing a manuscript of bhagavad gita in one minute - IBR - India Book of Records [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2024]
- Bhagavad Gita's timeless lessons on peace and mental well-being - The Times of India [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2024]
- Arvind Kejriwal Allowed to Have Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and Neerja Chaudhary's Book and Essential Medicines in ... - Law Trend [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2024]
- Arvind Kejriwal demands books on Ram, Krishna, and PM: Check Delhi CM's special requests for Tihar Jail - The Economic Times [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2024]
- Does the Bhagavad Gita promote caste? Acharya Prashant offers answers - The Times of India [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2024]
- Bhagavad Gita Explained: Chapter 2, Verse 2.46 - Knowledge vs Rituals - The Times of India [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2024]
- When is Somvati Amavasya 2024? Know Date and Rituals - The Times of India [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2024]
- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal seeks permission to carry Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana to jail - The Times of India [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2024]
- Morning Messages from Bhagavad Gita about Qualities that bring Bondage or Freedom - Times Now [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]
- Morning Messages from Bhagavad Gita about Features of Demoniac nature - Times Now [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]
- How to reach spiritual wisdom by taming the senses: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 68 - The Times of India [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]
- Find lasting peace and what disturbs the human mind and soul: Shri Krishna explains in Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 71 - The Times of India [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]
- Morning Messages from Bhagavad Gita about Problem with Demoniac natured people - Times Now [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]
- Attaining Liberation from Reincarnation: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 72 - The Times of India [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]
- Morning Messages from Bhagavad Gita about Creation of the World - Times Now [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]
- Desires got you flowing? Bhagavad Gita's secret to stillness in Verse 70 of Chapter 2 - The Times of India [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]
- Top 9 Hindu Baby Boy Names Inspired By Bhagavad Gita - TheHealthSite [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2024]