“Targeting foreign students in Gujarat University campus exposes bigger and wider dimension of how dangerous uncontrolled rise of communal elements is threatening the civilised society”
Humra Quraishi*
So, the communal assaults here in the country are getting blatantly fiercer by the day. Reaching such obnoxious levels that even students from foreign countries are targeted. Quite obviously, one is focusing on the way several Muslim students residing in the international hostel of the Gujarat University were attacked by the Hindutva goons. Why? Alibi – they were offering namaaz in their hostel premises! Of course, the bigger and wider dimension is the dangerous uncontrolled rise of the communal elements, roaming about rather too freely, out to unleash that poison well-stuffed in them …well-tucked into their psyches by the communal Who’s Who of the day.
Correct me if I am wrong, if these victims of the communal assault were not students from the various foreign countries- Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, and African countries, then perhaps there would be little response from the government men and the machinery under their direct control. And what could be termed as rather shocking is the statement issued by Gujarat University Vice Chancellor, Neerja Gupta, where she talked about the need to sensitise and mentor foreign students about local culture and practices… While mentioning the ‘cultural’ differences, the vice chancellor said that Gujaratis were mainly vegetarian and foreign students consume non-vegetarian food and threw leftovers on the streets, which could attract dogs…She’d even commented that foreign students should be ‘mentored’ to understand the local culture to remain safe! What is going on! How many more alibis must be thrown about to cover the ugly happenings, taking place every single day, under the various garbs and alibis and useless explanations. Making life hellish for students, travelling all the way here, from foreign lands to seek knowledge.
And even in the midst of this messed up situation, there’s no cry to ban Hindutva outfits cum brigades cum private senas. This, when there have been several reported instances of men and women stuffed in these brigades getting ‘trained’ to attack the ‘other’! Also, news reports more than indicate of their direct involvement in rioting and communal assaults and attacks. Yet, we seem to be allowing the communal situation to be getting dangerous by the day. To be nearer precision, there seems a sinister design at work, to spread out the communal unleash with all possible horrifying dimensions, affecting the lives and livelihoods of hundreds amongst us.
In fact, this week another shocker came up. This news report: “Protests have arisen after a cultural procession organized by its Department of Geography at the Bodoland University in Kokrajhar, Assam, had depicted Muslims as criminals in their rally.”
The incident took place on 16 March, where a cultural event intended as a celebration of Bodo Legendary Heroes during the university’s 23rd varsity week and Thulunga Festival was being held, showed a stage act where two people were dressed in Muslim attire, with beards and skull caps, and had their hands bound. They are being walked in the rally behind a man reportedly dressed up as a policeman. The two dressed up people are shown to be beaten up by police personnel in the video of the rally.
Though several students’ unions – The All BTR Minority Students Union (ABMSU), All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) and North East Minority Students Union (NEMSU) – protested and submitted a memorandum urging a thorough investigation into this incident and advocating for disciplinary actions against those involved, but the local activists are sceptical. To quote from the news reports of Sabrang India, the vice-president of Citizens Rights Preservation Committee (CRPC) and former Professor Taijuddin Ahmed said that it was a rehearsal and warned the people to be cautious. “It is a motivated conspiracy and a rehearsal…When this vulnerable minority community was attacked and riots took place since 1993, 1994, 2008, 2012 and 2014, prior to this kind of rehearsals also happened… it was portrayed in the cultural rally that Muslim is a criminal community and it’s highly condemnable and should not happen in such a higher educational institution…It’s not possible without the cooperation of University administration to conduct such offensive act in the university premises… I want the rise of communal atmosphere in the university premises to go down and instead, the university should focus on the educational curriculum with freedom of thought and expression.”
SAHAR ZAMAN’s Book – TALAT MAHMOOD – THE DEFINITE BIOGRAPHY
New Delhi based media personality Sahar Zaman has brought out this well detailed and well researched volume on her grand uncle – Talat Mahmood… Titled – Talat Mahmood – The Definite Biography, it is brimming with just about any and every aspect to the life and times of the legendary singer.
To quote Sahar from the book: “Inching closer to his centenary year in 2024, my wish was to have this exclusive work of non-fiction in the hands of music lovers across the world, to enjoy and marvel at his pioneering journey. This is my gift in lieu of all the love and pride. It is the story of an artist whose career cuts across the history of India. From being a pre-independence celebrity to being Independent India’s film star. Coming from an educated and cultured Muslim family that supported our freedom movement, this is a musical journey in which the birth and evolution of India is closely entwined. The biography explores his indelible mark on the Golden Era of films by taking you behind the scenes of moments from the recording studio, personal friendships with colleagues and the impact of his stardom…”
She also comments, “I feel blessed to be his grand-niece where members of my family have dug into their archives of old letters, diaries, and incidents to revisit his young days and help recreate exclusive insights. My brother Samar, an aficionado of old film songs, has been the constant ‘fact-checker’ of dates, names, and events in his life. This is an attempt to discover Talat as a person and rediscover his music. But it does not claim to be a music analysis of his work. That task is best left to the people who are well-versed in the rich heritage of India’s classical and folk traditions.”
It is a volume written with not just with an abundance of facts and details but with lot of intense involvement and passion and emotions.
Bias Against Muslims: Is Modi Lowering Prestige of PM’s Post?
Unrest in Ladakh: Challenges and Voices for Autonomy Amidst Political Turmoil
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 – Voting Choices For The Muslims In Madhya Pradesh And Chhattisgarh-X
Communal Assaults Getting Blatantly Fiercer, Reaching Obnoxious Levels in India
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
“Targeting foreign students in Gujarat University campus exposes bigger and wider dimension of how dangerous uncontrolled rise of communal elements is threatening the civilised society”
Humra Quraishi*
So, the communal assaults here in the country are getting blatantly fiercer by the day. Reaching such obnoxious levels that even students from foreign countries are targeted. Quite obviously, one is focusing on the way several Muslim students residing in the international hostel of the Gujarat University were attacked by the Hindutva goons. Why? Alibi – they were offering namaaz in their hostel premises! Of course, the bigger and wider dimension is the dangerous uncontrolled rise of the communal elements, roaming about rather too freely, out to unleash that poison well-stuffed in them …well-tucked into their psyches by the communal Who’s Who of the day.
Correct me if I am wrong, if these victims of the communal assault were not students from the various foreign countries- Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, and African countries, then perhaps there would be little response from the government men and the machinery under their direct control. And what could be termed as rather shocking is the statement issued by Gujarat University Vice Chancellor, Neerja Gupta, where she talked about the need to sensitise and mentor foreign students about local culture and practices… While mentioning the ‘cultural’ differences, the vice chancellor said that Gujaratis were mainly vegetarian and foreign students consume non-vegetarian food and threw leftovers on the streets, which could attract dogs…She’d even commented that foreign students should be ‘mentored’ to understand the local culture to remain safe! What is going on! How many more alibis must be thrown about to cover the ugly happenings, taking place every single day, under the various garbs and alibis and useless explanations. Making life hellish for students, travelling all the way here, from foreign lands to seek knowledge.
And even in the midst of this messed up situation, there’s no cry to ban Hindutva outfits cum brigades cum private senas. This, when there have been several reported instances of men and women stuffed in these brigades getting ‘trained’ to attack the ‘other’! Also, news reports more than indicate of their direct involvement in rioting and communal assaults and attacks. Yet, we seem to be allowing the communal situation to be getting dangerous by the day. To be nearer precision, there seems a sinister design at work, to spread out the communal unleash with all possible horrifying dimensions, affecting the lives and livelihoods of hundreds amongst us.
In fact, this week another shocker came up. This news report: “Protests have arisen after a cultural procession organized by its Department of Geography at the Bodoland University in Kokrajhar, Assam, had depicted Muslims as criminals in their rally.”
The incident took place on 16 March, where a cultural event intended as a celebration of Bodo Legendary Heroes during the university’s 23rd varsity week and Thulunga Festival was being held, showed a stage act where two people were dressed in Muslim attire, with beards and skull caps, and had their hands bound. They are being walked in the rally behind a man reportedly dressed up as a policeman. The two dressed up people are shown to be beaten up by police personnel in the video of the rally.
Though several students’ unions – The All BTR Minority Students Union (ABMSU), All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) and North East Minority Students Union (NEMSU) – protested and submitted a memorandum urging a thorough investigation into this incident and advocating for disciplinary actions against those involved, but the local activists are sceptical. To quote from the news reports of Sabrang India, the vice-president of Citizens Rights Preservation Committee (CRPC) and former Professor Taijuddin Ahmed said that it was a rehearsal and warned the people to be cautious. “It is a motivated conspiracy and a rehearsal…When this vulnerable minority community was attacked and riots took place since 1993, 1994, 2008, 2012 and 2014, prior to this kind of rehearsals also happened… it was portrayed in the cultural rally that Muslim is a criminal community and it’s highly condemnable and should not happen in such a higher educational institution…It’s not possible without the cooperation of University administration to conduct such offensive act in the university premises… I want the rise of communal atmosphere in the university premises to go down and instead, the university should focus on the educational curriculum with freedom of thought and expression.”
SAHAR ZAMAN’s Book – TALAT MAHMOOD – THE DEFINITE BIOGRAPHY
New Delhi based media personality Sahar Zaman has brought out this well detailed and well researched volume on her grand uncle – Talat Mahmood… Titled – Talat Mahmood – The Definite Biography, it is brimming with just about any and every aspect to the life and times of the legendary singer.
To quote Sahar from the book: “Inching closer to his centenary year in 2024, my wish was to have this exclusive work of non-fiction in the hands of music lovers across the world, to enjoy and marvel at his pioneering journey. This is my gift in lieu of all the love and pride. It is the story of an artist whose career cuts across the history of India. From being a pre-independence celebrity to being Independent India’s film star. Coming from an educated and cultured Muslim family that supported our freedom movement, this is a musical journey in which the birth and evolution of India is closely entwined. The biography explores his indelible mark on the Golden Era of films by taking you behind the scenes of moments from the recording studio, personal friendships with colleagues and the impact of his stardom…”
She also comments, “I feel blessed to be his grand-niece where members of my family have dug into their archives of old letters, diaries, and incidents to revisit his young days and help recreate exclusive insights. My brother Samar, an aficionado of old film songs, has been the constant ‘fact-checker’ of dates, names, and events in his life. This is an attempt to discover Talat as a person and rediscover his music. But it does not claim to be a music analysis of his work. That task is best left to the people who are well-versed in the rich heritage of India’s classical and folk traditions.”
It is a volume written with not just with an abundance of facts and details but with lot of intense involvement and passion and emotions.
—–
Bias Against Muslims: Is Modi Lowering Prestige of PM’s Post?
Unrest in Ladakh: Challenges and Voices for Autonomy Amidst Political Turmoil
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 – Voting Choices For The Muslims In Madhya Pradesh And Chhattisgarh-X
Shifting Sands of Indian Electoral Strategies: Chronicle of Innovation and Influence