To my comment ("In this thread, the point made by Mashall is valid only if the
exhibition in question was organised by the BJP."), Marshall Mendonza writes:
"Sachin, you and I and everyone knows that the organisation holding the
exhibition is from the sangh parivar stable which includes the BJP."
I am sorry, but I do not know that this is a fact. And if Marshall has some
proof on the subject, then please let me know.
However, I do know for a fact that Vidyadhar Gadgil is a Marxists, in the way
he signs off his messages. I am not much enamoured with the Communist ideology.
But that does not mean that I should ignore what he says.
Secondly, when the Sambhaji Brigade in Pune vandalised the Bhandarkar Oriental
Research Institute due to some unsavoury remarks against Shivaji made by an
author who claimed that he had the support of the Insitute, there were
immediate accusations that this Brigade was part of the Sangh or Shiv Sena.
Very soon it turned out that the Brigade is actually a political opponent of
both. I know that Vidyadhar had posted a long note on why the Hindu Jangaruti
Samiti is a Sangh Parivar organisation. But that was just a verbal allegations,
without any basis.
To my more important comment ("Secondly, even if the BJP did not do anything,
does it mean that the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits should be ignored? More
than 300,000 have been living as refugees in their own land, since 1989."),
Marshall writes: "I do agree that the Kashmiri Pandits should be rehabilitated
in their homeland. But the sangh parivar is not sincere about this. Please let
me know what measures they have taken to rehabilitate them, other than use them
for propaganda purpose."
Even though I said that even if the BJP did not do anything, he wants to know
from me what measures the Sangh has taken to rehabilitate them. And while he
seeks from me about these measures, should he not ask so many others, who claim
to be the champions in protecting the rights of the minorities, about what they
have done? For example, Ram Punyani comes all over from Mumbai to talk about
the plight of the Muslims. Why does he not talk about the Kashmiri Pandits?
(Incidentally, being in Mumbai, I have read quite a few times the name of Ram
Punyani, but never in context of the rehabilitation of the Pandits.)
I do look forward to a focussed response from Marshall.
Sachin Phadte.
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