--- On Sun, 8/1/10, Rajan P. Parrikar <parri...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Criticism of Hinduism, Hindus, Hindu Right, Hindu Anything in itself >does
> not make anyone anti-Hindu. To cite an extreme case, I have never >thought
> of Nascy as anti-Hindu. Semi-literate clown, yes. Anti-Hindu, >no.
>
I am not sure what Nascimento is, and I don't really care. I only like the
entertainment he provides in the Goanet circus, and am always looking forward
to goading him into lowering the semi-literacy level of this forum further with
each post.
>
> The "anti-Hindu" fellow harbours a deep resentment towards any assertion >of
> Hindu identity or any attempt at Hindu organization, whether it is >political
> or social. Anytime he sees something which in his mind >demonstrates Hindu
> strength his instinct is to smear it, or fabricate >stories to tar the
> individual or group.
>
I see nothing wrong in being opposed to politicization of religion, or to an
assertion of a political (not social) identity based on religion, as long as it
is even-handed, i.e. applied to all religions equally, if one claims to uphold
the Indian secular outlook. The latter is where in my estimation Admin Noronha
and others like him fall short, even after making allowance for the fact that
minorities should receive special protection in a democracy driven by the
majority vote.
And yes, there is no reflection, self-reflection and weighing on a case by case
basis. There is always the same boiler-plate narrative that is applied to
everything, and everybody who has a difference of opinion, about a political
issue or event.
Cheers,
Santosh
* * *
In every way, the Goans of Bombay were part of the great melee that was this
metropolis, distinct perhaps in the way communities often are, holding on to
their own traditions but merging slowly nonetheless and forming the thin thread
of nationhood that would eventually become India. -- Selma Carvalho, in *Into
the Goan Diaspora Wilderness*. Available at Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph
+91-9822488564] Price (in Goa only) Rs 295.
http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
* * *
