H
hariharan1972
Guest
I picked up this title, written by Mani Shankar Iyer, recently and in the processing of completing the reading.
As the title itself suggests, MSI takes on the 'communal forces' of the country aka VHP, BD, BJP, SS et all, pillorying them for their 'communal agenda' and passionately argues about the supremacy of 'Secularism'.
Noble intentions.
But the execution ?
Alas! this is where MSI disappoints.
In a manner that can be strictly identified as the 'Brahmana Kusumbu' (no 'serious' offence meant), MSI, quite cleverly, calls the parties of other faiths as 'communitarian' while any pro-Hindu party is communal.
Infact he does not even wait for the first page to unleash his BK. Even when he is dedicating the book to the memory of his mother, MSI, does pack a punch by noting that the book is dedicated to his mother who was 'religious AND secular' as if to indicate that his mother was one of the rare specimens among the believers.
Declaring himself as an atheist, MSI, doesnt mind invoking "Inshallah" when hoping against hope. Even i do this, so while it may seem nit-picking, the point i want to drive home is that even in a lighter vein, MSI wants to be very "politically correct".
There are ofcourse many points where i find myself agreeing with his views. His covering of the events that unfolded before the Partition was really eye-opening. I have not, thus far, come across a book where the role of "Hindu rigidity" in the Partition has been explained. I will have to find another book.
I am just about 50 pages away from finishing the book. I must say that MSI has written with amazing felicity and lucidity and the book is nothing short of a racy thriller who like such genre of books.
A recommended read, ofcourse, keep a pinch of salt nearby
KRS Sir, hopefully to your absolute delight, MSI devotes an entire chapter defining "Secularism".
As the title itself suggests, MSI takes on the 'communal forces' of the country aka VHP, BD, BJP, SS et all, pillorying them for their 'communal agenda' and passionately argues about the supremacy of 'Secularism'.
Noble intentions.
But the execution ?
Alas! this is where MSI disappoints.
In a manner that can be strictly identified as the 'Brahmana Kusumbu' (no 'serious' offence meant), MSI, quite cleverly, calls the parties of other faiths as 'communitarian' while any pro-Hindu party is communal.
Infact he does not even wait for the first page to unleash his BK. Even when he is dedicating the book to the memory of his mother, MSI, does pack a punch by noting that the book is dedicated to his mother who was 'religious AND secular' as if to indicate that his mother was one of the rare specimens among the believers.
Declaring himself as an atheist, MSI, doesnt mind invoking "Inshallah" when hoping against hope. Even i do this, so while it may seem nit-picking, the point i want to drive home is that even in a lighter vein, MSI wants to be very "politically correct".
There are ofcourse many points where i find myself agreeing with his views. His covering of the events that unfolded before the Partition was really eye-opening. I have not, thus far, come across a book where the role of "Hindu rigidity" in the Partition has been explained. I will have to find another book.
I am just about 50 pages away from finishing the book. I must say that MSI has written with amazing felicity and lucidity and the book is nothing short of a racy thriller who like such genre of books.
A recommended read, ofcourse, keep a pinch of salt nearby

KRS Sir, hopefully to your absolute delight, MSI devotes an entire chapter defining "Secularism".