Panel Discussion:Being “Apolitical”: Is it right way for India?

 Details
Topic : Being “Apolitical”: Is it right way for India?
Venue:
Jay Hind College, A Road, Churchgate, Mumbai – 400 020
Date and Time:
13Sept2011 ; Time: 4pm

Speakers:

The eminent speakers to discuss the burning issue are:

·         Mr. Chetan Bhagat, Well Known Author

·         Mrs. Kiron Kher, Film Actor & Social Activist

·         Mrs. Meenakshi Lekhi, BJP Mahila Morcha National Vice-President

·         Mr. AdityaRaj Kaul, Indian editor at The Indian (Australian Magazine)


 

Background of the Discussion:

 

The latest addition to our vocabulary is “Apolitical”. Other words like “Unelectable” and “Unelected” have also been bandied about but have not found wide acceptance or usage in the regular public discourse.

We really need to understand  – is it a word, a term, an ideology, an ism, a statement or an expression ? Is this an accessory or a new product ? What is its true meaning? Does it have a definite meaning as do other words if it is a word ? What are the implications if we do accept this in any of the above forms ? How does this measure up; when we compare with words such ‘Amoral’ & ‘Atheist’? Is “Apolitical” the opposite of “Political” and “Politics” or is it devoid of politics.

Do we need this ? If yes why ?

Does this pit one against the other ? Is this an oversimplification or an overkill given the current state of affairs in India ! Would this involve Indians increasingly engaging with the political process or will it make Indians more cynical about our political process and hence our Democracy. There is an urgent need to deconstruct and place this in its true perspective lest we cause any long term damage to our Democracy.


Kindly register here: http://friendsofbjp.org/content/friends-bjp-maharashtra-organizes-panel-discussion

 

MF Hussain … WTF

At the outset, This blog is written by a Proud HINDU who is Indian first. Also the thoughts presented here are by no means mixed with religious inclination.

An artist thinks ahead of time.”- Hussain. He is right, I do agree with him. An artist with his thought at higher bar from society always gives direction to society. Leonardo da Vinci, when he painted Mona LISA wanted to convey through smile of lady the kind of mythic embodiment of eternal femininity. He had the message and the reason for Mona LISA painting is still considered to be greatest art. Take another recent example of Taslima, when she should be supported for her idea towards freeing women is something to admire of. Her writings too has message for the society. An art is above all religion. It is to be respected beyond boundaries of religion or ideology. But an artist too has some responsibilities, no TOM, DICK or Harry and Harry’s brother can use art as disguise to project his dirt filled mind.

If Hussain believes his art of uncivilized portrait of GODDESS has some message or meaning, why has he not come out and explained it. Just by using parallels of other great artist one can never get away from his nonsense work.

Hussain is not targeted because he is a muslim or old artist, but because he insulted GOD. The intellectual media who tries to protect him saying he is old man and is targeted since he is minority (read muslim) should be ashamed. For I can assure, had the artist been HARICHAND or HIRALAL, the agitation would have been much stronger. The media is to understand, when a mother is insulted you don’t go out to check the nationality or religion of the culprit.

The media comes out with the idea of freedom of expression/ freedom of thoughts / freedom of art, this is just hogwash. Will any of the intellectual allow any of their loved one to be painted NUDE and will they applaud the painting as art (without taking consent of the concerned person).

Right always comes with responsibility, and without responsibility it is abuse of the power and right. Hussain in his capacity painted what he thought, but it was no more than an insult leave aside calling it a art. If he has message or idea behind this painting, which I guess would be as dirty as the person is he, but still let him convey what he wanted to say through the painting.

An artist has to be a good human first, if he insulted the feeling of GOD, and not the myths on blind faith traditions. At this point I would also add that the manner of protest against him was wrong, violent protest is by no means a civilized way. The culprit protestors should be punished, but first Hussain has to be brought back and tried and if possible be given a sentence. No one is seeking to BAN his right of painting, but to demand the punishment for his offense which is criminal, is by no means illegal.

The media is stooped and hypocritical to the core, while if foreign advertisers use the GOD and GODDESS figure on the product or even use GANHIJI as tool of promotion is considered as insult by media. At times they also show GOD in uncivilized manner on shoes or holding cigarettes. Why don’t they give discount to creative advertisers that freedom of expression? Or do media believe that only Indians should insult India Or is it like only pseudo great artist people get the license to insult India.
Disclaimer – I oppose vehemently advertiser playing with religious feeling of any human being.

I am just afraid, these pseudo intellectuals will soon start advocating for PORN as form of expression and art. And if GODESS are to be painted nude, then y der is hue and cry over morphed nudity of celebrity, Hussain didnt took the permission of GOD to paint them nude so does these cyber criminals will not take permission and paint any 1 nude and circulate in name of art. I am not at all advocating this kind of acts, but just making media and pseudo intellectuals what an abuse of “FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION can lead to

A monkey face of Micelle Obama is racism, a rant against Shilpa Shetty is racism but the belief in GOD to painted NUDE is art …. WTF, media when will you be using your mind, if you have any
Certain political party is up in hands to bring back hussain and are advocating freedom of art, my question will they allow Hussain to paint their party leader in uncivilized manner and frame it in every party office? They can’t take a word against their party leader and goes on crying foul, but an insult to GOD of million believers is just an art.

If Freedom of expression is advocated sooo much; then anti-social people giving out hate speeches will also use this right to advocate their notions. The Babri Masjid demolition is crime; it can also be advocated freedom of expression and thought. Can media understand the fallout of their narrow mind and narrow thinking to grab TRP by supporting wrong cause.

I would say get real man! Understand the fine line between progressive thinking and an insult. Everyone has freedom of thought and expression but kindly use it wisely, Its not to please millions and masses, but if your thoughts are revolutionary get up and explain, just by being an artist and you insult and think of getting away is nonsense. I do agree, we should get back Hussain to kick his a$$. A example for other people to understand, that while we salute path breaking thoughts of Taslima we can kick a$$ of person insulting our mother