On 24/07/07, Santosh Helekar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi Bosco,
...................................
I have not read most of what Chinmay has posted on Goanet, but the heat generated by his appearance and a few private emails by him and others have motivated me to delve into his identity. He has been direct and forthright with me in private and I with him. I found out just a few days ago that he is related to a dear friend of mine. That is why I am writing this. Being skeptical by nature I have independently confirmed everything he has told me. He is a young Goan now living in the U.S. Chinmay Bhandari is his real name. He has not posted from anyone else's IP address now or in the past using any other name. Good, bad or indifferent, from all indications he is a passionate supporter of the BJP, who sympathizes with the views of the Sangh Parivar. For him the Sangh is what the Catholic Church or some other Catholic organization such as Knights of Columbus is to a devout Catholic. He believes his fierce accusations against Church officials and their supporters are simply a counter-attack in retaliation for the charges made against the Hindu organizations he supports. >From what I have read he has criticized the actions of Catholic officials, Catholic religious donors, SFX and Manu, and spoken out against what he regards as the influx of radical Muslims in Goa. To abuse him personally in response to any innocuous post of his just because of the views he holds rather than directly in response to an initial bout of invective from him, as some have tried to do, is counterproductive. The best way to respond strongly to his criticisms and accusations, and challenge his views is illustrated by the excellent responses of Venantius Pinto and Rui Nuvo. As we know from past experience on Goanet personal insults and innuendo do not achieve anything except extreme division along ideological lines, and tragically in some cases, communal hatred. Cheers, Santosh
RESPONSE: I don't know, what you mean to achieve, by informing us that his is related to a dear friend of yours ? maybe he is all of 29 years of age and perhaps he attended Goa University ( what has come to light already ). Is there any implication, in your post that we should treat him with kid gloves ? Not all of us, certainly not me, have the brilliance of a Venatius Pinto or the even most brilliant Rui nuvo, ( who is he ? no intro ) to respond so eloquently to Bhandare, LOL. By his own admission, he supports the ideology of the RSS; whatever that means to different people: I guess you missed out, that admission, through not reading all his posts ! I really have no affinity towards or knowledge of the Knights of Colombus or any of the other Catholic Organizations, which one may deem, extreme or whatever. To be precise the Knights of Colombus, is not the Catholic Church. No one in the current debate took any issue with the Hindu Religion. Most, if not all of us, on the contra side would not have minded if he took issue with one of the legions of organizations related to the Catholic Religion. Bhandare came loaded with a double barrel and fired attacking the Catholic Church and its Hierarchy. With due respect to the Hindus, there was one poster who posted stuff that was demeaning the Hindus, he was put down by quite a few posters. Albeit, I wasn't one of them; my contention being that I cannot defend something, of what I know zilch. Bhandare has overstepped the mark, as far as I am concerned. His age (immaturity ?) or his quality relations, notwithstanding, do not excuse his provocative prodding. Finally, I conclude, that you are so correct that posts initiated and responded to, could create communal disharmony. Bhandare has stated more than once that he would not continue. He has not kept his word..need I say more ? -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England
