Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Fascist tendencies in India and Pakistan
21 January, 1997
Mumbai’s premier Urdu newspaper, Inquilab has published an article by a Pakistani Columnist, detailing the Trotesky treatise ‘Fascism and how to fight it”. The writer warns that following the discredit of all nominally democratic parties in Pakistan including PPP of Benazir Bhutto and Muslim League (N) of Nawaz Sharif, there are chances that public will turn to religio-fascist Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan or ethno-fascist Mohajir Quomi Movement (MQM) which is bound to result in serious excesses in the name of religion or ethnicity or both. He asserts same trends in India and the eventuality of BJP coming to power, if the democratic forces do not spruce up to face the challenge.
In India, J.N. Dixit, too has cautioned about the virtual institutionalisation of miliatry rule in Pakistan, in the shape of National Defence Council and the dire need for India to strenghthen its own democratic institutuions.
#196
Mumbai’s premier Urdu newspaper, Inquilab has published an article by a Pakistani Columnist, detailing the Trotesky treatise ‘Fascism and how to fight it”. The writer warns that following the discredit of all nominally democratic parties in Pakistan including PPP of Benazir Bhutto and Muslim League (N) of Nawaz Sharif, there are chances that public will turn to religio-fascist Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan or ethno-fascist Mohajir Quomi Movement (MQM) which is bound to result in serious excesses in the name of religion or ethnicity or both. He asserts same trends in India and the eventuality of BJP coming to power, if the democratic forces do not spruce up to face the challenge.
In India, J.N. Dixit, too has cautioned about the virtual institutionalisation of miliatry rule in Pakistan, in the shape of National Defence Council and the dire need for India to strenghthen its own democratic institutuions.
#196
Seminar on ‘Conflict Resolution : Hindu - Muslim Case in India’
8 January, 1997
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir,
Your report ( 8/1) on the recent Seminar on ‘Conflict Resolution : Hindu - Muslim Case in India’ has unfortunately, missed out the drama played out over the 2 days of vigorous discussion, intrigues, behind-the-scene manipulations and the sheer antipathy of even the so-called secular left-liberals to the very name of the Muslim community. Swami Agnivesh, in an aside, related how his fellow-passenger commented when he mentioned about the proposed Seminar, while traveling from Delhi to Mumbai. The wise man commented on how strange it was that Asgharali Engineer and Swami were to try to solve the conflict, while Muslims do not count Engineer as Muslim and Hindus do not count Swami Agnivesh as Hindu. Swami and the joint organiser of the Seminar, Prof. Iqbal Ansari had come with a set agenda and it remained for Mr. J.B. D’Souza to say the last word, when he wrote out a message, and passed it on to Asgharali Engineer, who read it out to the participants. It read:
“Dr. Engineer: Listening almost silently to the discussions over the last two days, I get the impression that we are unduly, and unwisely, concentrating on how accommodating Muslims should be, on how they should appease the majority.
Should we not recall to what appeasement led in the 1930’s in Europe?”
#189
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir,
Your report ( 8/1) on the recent Seminar on ‘Conflict Resolution : Hindu - Muslim Case in India’ has unfortunately, missed out the drama played out over the 2 days of vigorous discussion, intrigues, behind-the-scene manipulations and the sheer antipathy of even the so-called secular left-liberals to the very name of the Muslim community. Swami Agnivesh, in an aside, related how his fellow-passenger commented when he mentioned about the proposed Seminar, while traveling from Delhi to Mumbai. The wise man commented on how strange it was that Asgharali Engineer and Swami were to try to solve the conflict, while Muslims do not count Engineer as Muslim and Hindus do not count Swami Agnivesh as Hindu. Swami and the joint organiser of the Seminar, Prof. Iqbal Ansari had come with a set agenda and it remained for Mr. J.B. D’Souza to say the last word, when he wrote out a message, and passed it on to Asgharali Engineer, who read it out to the participants. It read:
“Dr. Engineer: Listening almost silently to the discussions over the last two days, I get the impression that we are unduly, and unwisely, concentrating on how accommodating Muslims should be, on how they should appease the majority.
Should we not recall to what appeasement led in the 1930’s in Europe?”
#189
Indian Express Editorial: 'Save the (voter's) cards' - 18/1/1997
18 January, 1997
The Editor
The Indian Express FAX:2852108
Mumbai PHONE:2022583
Sir,
Your editorial ‘Save the cards’ (18/1) is the first information for the newspaper reading public that a controversy is going on to junk Voters’ Cards. In a matter of such importance, where the country has already invested 1000 Crores, bypassing and ignoring public opinion is most serious breach of democratic governance, whatever may be the legal sanctions the move can line up. Granted the scheme is costly; it was stigmatised because of the controversial name of T.N. Seshan; it opens up new areas of corrupt practices; but a nation on the march for the 21st. Century, which already is reckoned as emerging information technology star of tomorrow; has to make the voter card the basis on which to build up modern infrastructure for better and deep-rooted access to people and their problems.
#195
The Editor
The Indian Express FAX:2852108
Mumbai PHONE:2022583
Sir,
Your editorial ‘Save the cards’ (18/1) is the first information for the newspaper reading public that a controversy is going on to junk Voters’ Cards. In a matter of such importance, where the country has already invested 1000 Crores, bypassing and ignoring public opinion is most serious breach of democratic governance, whatever may be the legal sanctions the move can line up. Granted the scheme is costly; it was stigmatised because of the controversial name of T.N. Seshan; it opens up new areas of corrupt practices; but a nation on the march for the 21st. Century, which already is reckoned as emerging information technology star of tomorrow; has to make the voter card the basis on which to build up modern infrastructure for better and deep-rooted access to people and their problems.
#195
Minority mind about the coming Mumbai municipal corporation elections
13 January, 1997
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir
The report by your S. Balakrishnan (13/1) has correctly assessed the minority mind about the coming Mumbai municipal corporation elections. Muslims had held Narasimha Rao responsible for the destruction of Babri Masjid and they hold Sharad Pawar and Congress responsible for Mumbai riots which resulted in so much devastation to the city. Innocents are still suffering behind bars under TADA, while the dreaded law itself was abolished long back. Muslims have neither forgotten nor forgiven Congress. The recent meeting of OBC Muslim organisation at Haj House saw a strange coming together of Sharad Pawar, Janata Dal, Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan, Left opportunists and Muslim elites of Bandra. A section of Muslims does feel that any reservation, in whatever name is better than nothing. But seasoned people know that this election exercise will never translate into any boon for the people as buearucracy has its own way of carrying out the charade of giving but not giving. The third force is still the first choice of majority of the minorities.
#192
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir
The report by your S. Balakrishnan (13/1) has correctly assessed the minority mind about the coming Mumbai municipal corporation elections. Muslims had held Narasimha Rao responsible for the destruction of Babri Masjid and they hold Sharad Pawar and Congress responsible for Mumbai riots which resulted in so much devastation to the city. Innocents are still suffering behind bars under TADA, while the dreaded law itself was abolished long back. Muslims have neither forgotten nor forgiven Congress. The recent meeting of OBC Muslim organisation at Haj House saw a strange coming together of Sharad Pawar, Janata Dal, Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan, Left opportunists and Muslim elites of Bandra. A section of Muslims does feel that any reservation, in whatever name is better than nothing. But seasoned people know that this election exercise will never translate into any boon for the people as buearucracy has its own way of carrying out the charade of giving but not giving. The third force is still the first choice of majority of the minorities.
#192
Apropos Vidya Subrahmaniam’s article: ‘Elect not select’ (10/1/1997)
Friday, January 10, 1997
Apropos Vidya Subrahmaniam’s article: ‘Elect not select’ (10/1).
Both Kesari and Pawar represent two separate and distinct orientations to the future shape of Congress Party and its possible future Government.
Kesari is on record, for being bold and committed to the cause of upliftment of poor and underprivileged. If allowed to rule effectively, is easily capable of major initiatives to align Congress with common people and bring back old flavor of Congress commitment to the masses rather than the classes.
Pawar represents brute power; power solely for the sake of power. He revels in power games and has no genuine receptivity to any populist compulsions. His tenor of governance will be elitist and the gap between the haves and have-nots is bound to widen, creating further social turmoil.
#186
Apropos Vidya Subrahmaniam’s article: ‘Elect not select’ (10/1).
Both Kesari and Pawar represent two separate and distinct orientations to the future shape of Congress Party and its possible future Government.
Kesari is on record, for being bold and committed to the cause of upliftment of poor and underprivileged. If allowed to rule effectively, is easily capable of major initiatives to align Congress with common people and bring back old flavor of Congress commitment to the masses rather than the classes.
Pawar represents brute power; power solely for the sake of power. He revels in power games and has no genuine receptivity to any populist compulsions. His tenor of governance will be elitist and the gap between the haves and have-nots is bound to widen, creating further social turmoil.
#186
8 January, 1997
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir,
Your report ( 8/1) on the recent Seminar on ‘Conflict Resolution : Hindu - Muslim Case in India’ has unfortunately, missed out the drama played out over the 2 days of vigorous discussion, intrigues, behind-the-scene manipulations and the sheer antipathy of even the so-called secular left-liberals to the very name of the Muslim community. Swami Agnivesh, in an aside, related how his fellow-passenger commented when he mentioned about the proposed Seminar, while traveling from Delhi to Mumbai. The wise man commented on how strange it was that Asgharali Engineer and Swami were to try to solve the conflict, while Muslims do not count Engineer as Muslim and Hindus do not count Swami Agnivesh as Hindu. Swami and the joint organiser of the Seminar, Prof. Iqbal Ansari had come with a set agenda and it remained for Mr. J.B. D’Souza to say the last word, when he wrote out a message, and passed it on to Asgharali Engineer, who read it out to the participants. It read:
“ Dr. Engineer: Listening almost silently to the discussions over the last two days, I get the impression that we are unduly, and unwisely, concentrating on how accommodating Muslims should be, on how they should appease the majority.
Should we not recall to what appeasement led in the 1930’s in Europe?”
#183
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir,
Your report ( 8/1) on the recent Seminar on ‘Conflict Resolution : Hindu - Muslim Case in India’ has unfortunately, missed out the drama played out over the 2 days of vigorous discussion, intrigues, behind-the-scene manipulations and the sheer antipathy of even the so-called secular left-liberals to the very name of the Muslim community. Swami Agnivesh, in an aside, related how his fellow-passenger commented when he mentioned about the proposed Seminar, while traveling from Delhi to Mumbai. The wise man commented on how strange it was that Asgharali Engineer and Swami were to try to solve the conflict, while Muslims do not count Engineer as Muslim and Hindus do not count Swami Agnivesh as Hindu. Swami and the joint organiser of the Seminar, Prof. Iqbal Ansari had come with a set agenda and it remained for Mr. J.B. D’Souza to say the last word, when he wrote out a message, and passed it on to Asgharali Engineer, who read it out to the participants. It read:
“ Dr. Engineer: Listening almost silently to the discussions over the last two days, I get the impression that we are unduly, and unwisely, concentrating on how accommodating Muslims should be, on how they should appease the majority.
Should we not recall to what appeasement led in the 1930’s in Europe?”
#183
Thursday, January 02, 1997
The Editor, The Pioneer, New Delhi
This refers to your editorial ‘Malignant myopia’ (The Pioneer, ?/12). All reservations have their justification in the discrimination that any certain group faced in the past and due to that discrimination, they having suffered denial of their rights and consequent deprivation in political, social, economic, educational opportunity, reservation is considered as a remedial measure to compensate that victimised group and give them the opportunity recoup its position vis-à-vis others in the society. If the discrimination is on the basis of caste, then reservation is on the basis of caste. In the case of Muslims, this discrimination had been on the basis of religion. It then stands to reason, that any reservation for them has to be on the basis of religion. There is no compromise on state secularism involved. Your editorial, therefore tantamounts to an emotional outburst and a knee-jerk reaction to the PM’s announcement about reservations for Muslims among others. There is a limit to the persecution of 150 million Muslims on trumped up accusations of historical wrongs. No present day Muslim can be blamed for the partition, Mughal excesses or other imaginary slight to 6 percent upper-caste Varnas who feel they are the Chosen and therefore have to rule other lesser children of God. This charade has to stop.
#180
The Editor, The Pioneer, New Delhi
This refers to your editorial ‘Malignant myopia’ (The Pioneer, ?/12). All reservations have their justification in the discrimination that any certain group faced in the past and due to that discrimination, they having suffered denial of their rights and consequent deprivation in political, social, economic, educational opportunity, reservation is considered as a remedial measure to compensate that victimised group and give them the opportunity recoup its position vis-à-vis others in the society. If the discrimination is on the basis of caste, then reservation is on the basis of caste. In the case of Muslims, this discrimination had been on the basis of religion. It then stands to reason, that any reservation for them has to be on the basis of religion. There is no compromise on state secularism involved. Your editorial, therefore tantamounts to an emotional outburst and a knee-jerk reaction to the PM’s announcement about reservations for Muslims among others. There is a limit to the persecution of 150 million Muslims on trumped up accusations of historical wrongs. No present day Muslim can be blamed for the partition, Mughal excesses or other imaginary slight to 6 percent upper-caste Varnas who feel they are the Chosen and therefore have to rule other lesser children of God. This charade has to stop.
#180
28 December, 1996
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir,
The Times front-page report - Secret meeting gives reprieve to ‘corrupt’ state ministers (28/12), is most disturbing to all law-abiding citizens. It may be recalled that when Pakistan’s Zulfikar Bhutto tripped for a personal notation on official file ordering to ‘eliminate’ an adversary and was sentenced to be hanged, all the world leaders pleaded for his reprieve. President Zia is reported to have commented that they are all members of a club and want to protect their fellow member, lest sometime they all get caught in such unfortunate predicament. Similar club loyalties are apparent in all leaders across party lines to extend sympathy, suggest reprimand and recommend reprieve for public officials who might have committed gross misuse of their public powers and who could return the favors to others within the club membership. People should go on record that they are not a party to such mockery of law and justice and demand prompt and adequate justice for all wrongdoer, however high and mighty may he be; the law being higher to him.
#172
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir,
The Times front-page report - Secret meeting gives reprieve to ‘corrupt’ state ministers (28/12), is most disturbing to all law-abiding citizens. It may be recalled that when Pakistan’s Zulfikar Bhutto tripped for a personal notation on official file ordering to ‘eliminate’ an adversary and was sentenced to be hanged, all the world leaders pleaded for his reprieve. President Zia is reported to have commented that they are all members of a club and want to protect their fellow member, lest sometime they all get caught in such unfortunate predicament. Similar club loyalties are apparent in all leaders across party lines to extend sympathy, suggest reprimand and recommend reprieve for public officials who might have committed gross misuse of their public powers and who could return the favors to others within the club membership. People should go on record that they are not a party to such mockery of law and justice and demand prompt and adequate justice for all wrongdoer, however high and mighty may he be; the law being higher to him.
#172
31 December, 1996
The Editor
The Pioneer FAX:2672928
Mumbai PHONE:2673085
Sir,
Apropos your editorial ‘Shalom, Mr. President’ (30/12). It is true that there are no permanent friends and enemies in politics; only permanent interests. Still any nation without reference to its commitments to justice, peace and human rights, cannot hope to aspire for honourable place in the comity of nations. India had sided with Arabs against Israel on the principles of freedom from colonial imperialism. Around the time India received its independence, a string of nations received a boost in their struggle against the western colonists. Palestine was supposed to be one of them. However, just as in the case of India, which got its freedom with the British deliberately dividing the nation in the hope of future stranglehold between feuding parties, they left Palestine with a high-handed partition under the influence of European Jewish financiers. A Jewish state was imposed on Palestine, just as a new state was created out of India. We are still suffering from that British perfidy and should empathise with Palestinians who are still struggling to get their state and their freedom. Israel with the active assistance and encouragement of western countries has made a colony of Palestine and freedom struggle of Palestine is not over yet. India, therefore, should clearly define its stand on Palestinian freedom struggle and her own contribution to the conflict resolution efforts, which have acquired more importance and urgency, after coming to power of Benjamin Netanyahu, the hard-line Likud leader, who has systematically aborted all terms of agreement, so meticulously worked by well-meaning intermediaries, including Norway and USA. India should demand that President Weizman should take back a message from India, that Israel should follow the accord in letter and in spirit, so that Palestinians who were fighting for their independence at the same time that India herself was struggling against British, should at least get their goals, even now, though after the passage of half a century. India owes this much to its own glorious memories of freedom struggle.
#176
The Editor
The Pioneer FAX:2672928
Mumbai PHONE:2673085
Sir,
Apropos your editorial ‘Shalom, Mr. President’ (30/12). It is true that there are no permanent friends and enemies in politics; only permanent interests. Still any nation without reference to its commitments to justice, peace and human rights, cannot hope to aspire for honourable place in the comity of nations. India had sided with Arabs against Israel on the principles of freedom from colonial imperialism. Around the time India received its independence, a string of nations received a boost in their struggle against the western colonists. Palestine was supposed to be one of them. However, just as in the case of India, which got its freedom with the British deliberately dividing the nation in the hope of future stranglehold between feuding parties, they left Palestine with a high-handed partition under the influence of European Jewish financiers. A Jewish state was imposed on Palestine, just as a new state was created out of India. We are still suffering from that British perfidy and should empathise with Palestinians who are still struggling to get their state and their freedom. Israel with the active assistance and encouragement of western countries has made a colony of Palestine and freedom struggle of Palestine is not over yet. India, therefore, should clearly define its stand on Palestinian freedom struggle and her own contribution to the conflict resolution efforts, which have acquired more importance and urgency, after coming to power of Benjamin Netanyahu, the hard-line Likud leader, who has systematically aborted all terms of agreement, so meticulously worked by well-meaning intermediaries, including Norway and USA. India should demand that President Weizman should take back a message from India, that Israel should follow the accord in letter and in spirit, so that Palestinians who were fighting for their independence at the same time that India herself was struggling against British, should at least get their goals, even now, though after the passage of half a century. India owes this much to its own glorious memories of freedom struggle.
#176
22 December, 1996
The Editor,
Mid-Day
Mumbi
Sir,
Poor Mr. M. V. Kamath has been calling Muslims of India for last so many years, but his, is a cry in the wilderness. In his article ‘ A saving grace’ ( Mid-Day, 21/12), he once again indulges in a dialog of the deaf. He tries desparately to figure out why Muslims do or did what they did in the matter of Babri Masjid. He will not get any confirmation from the other side of one kind or another, as nobody is there to reply to him. It reminds one, of the time Napolean entered Moscow after a lifetime of struggle and there was nobody in the city to hand him over the keys of Moscow. His soldiers searched and called out at every nook and corner. There was nobody except a few drunks who were oblivious of what was going on around them. The people had all disappeared; to surface again, when Napolean was on his way to Paris, dragging himself and his bedraggled soldiers in deep slush and mud, that made passage difficult. Thousands perished. He had won a hollow victory, if at it was victory.
#170
The Editor,
Mid-Day
Mumbi
Sir,
Poor Mr. M. V. Kamath has been calling Muslims of India for last so many years, but his, is a cry in the wilderness. In his article ‘ A saving grace’ ( Mid-Day, 21/12), he once again indulges in a dialog of the deaf. He tries desparately to figure out why Muslims do or did what they did in the matter of Babri Masjid. He will not get any confirmation from the other side of one kind or another, as nobody is there to reply to him. It reminds one, of the time Napolean entered Moscow after a lifetime of struggle and there was nobody in the city to hand him over the keys of Moscow. His soldiers searched and called out at every nook and corner. There was nobody except a few drunks who were oblivious of what was going on around them. The people had all disappeared; to surface again, when Napolean was on his way to Paris, dragging himself and his bedraggled soldiers in deep slush and mud, that made passage difficult. Thousands perished. He had won a hollow victory, if at it was victory.
#170
30 December, 1996
The Editor
The Afternoon FAX:2870371
Mumbai PHONE:2871616
Sir
Mr. Kripa Shanker Singh, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice-president, has come out and charged Shiv-Sena for fooling North- Indians. Coming from a party official whose party has been fooling not only North Indians but all Indians, for the last fifty years, this is nothing but sheer audacity. The norms for serving the people too are all self-serving. If a few ministerial posts are given to a certain community, by a party, it does not automatically result in redress to that community’s interests. The ethos of party’s internal politics has been so institutionalised by Congress, that all such appointees are first to serve their own interests by recouping their huge illegal investments in funding the party. Only, then and then, they care for even party’s own private agenda. People’s interest come last, if at all. So the bench-mark in judging any Government’s redressal of any particular community’s genuine grievances is not the appointment of any minister or cabinets official, but the policies and implementation results that the Government produces or is capable of producing. The more the party is dependent on money-power to project itself, the more it is prone to encourage or allow its members to indulge in corruption. If Congress party which enjoyed people’s trust for over a hundred years has not sunk into a vicious circle of illegal money power to keep it afloat, it would not have lamented for the loss of North Indians or South Indians. For all practical purposes, Congress has lost its pioneering soul and all its present leaders are nothing but pall-bearers.
#173
The Editor
The Afternoon FAX:2870371
Mumbai PHONE:2871616
Sir
Mr. Kripa Shanker Singh, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) vice-president, has come out and charged Shiv-Sena for fooling North- Indians. Coming from a party official whose party has been fooling not only North Indians but all Indians, for the last fifty years, this is nothing but sheer audacity. The norms for serving the people too are all self-serving. If a few ministerial posts are given to a certain community, by a party, it does not automatically result in redress to that community’s interests. The ethos of party’s internal politics has been so institutionalised by Congress, that all such appointees are first to serve their own interests by recouping their huge illegal investments in funding the party. Only, then and then, they care for even party’s own private agenda. People’s interest come last, if at all. So the bench-mark in judging any Government’s redressal of any particular community’s genuine grievances is not the appointment of any minister or cabinets official, but the policies and implementation results that the Government produces or is capable of producing. The more the party is dependent on money-power to project itself, the more it is prone to encourage or allow its members to indulge in corruption. If Congress party which enjoyed people’s trust for over a hundred years has not sunk into a vicious circle of illegal money power to keep it afloat, it would not have lamented for the loss of North Indians or South Indians. For all practical purposes, Congress has lost its pioneering soul and all its present leaders are nothing but pall-bearers.
#173
27 December, 1996
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir,
Apropos M. Yusuf Khan’s article: ‘Muslims must aim for higher than Quota’ (TOI, 27/12). Muslims should certainly aim for higher goals than reservations in few govt. jobs; but in these competitive times, more than ever, a bird in hand is hundred times better than two in the bushes. Muslims may do well to follow Israel’s strategies vis-à-vis Arabs. While Arabs wasted 5 decades fighting to regain Palestine, on all or nothing basis, Israel was grateful for even crumbs and gradually worked towards more and more, till today it has several times more land than it was granted in 1948. This, however, should not preclude them to scientifically plan for the future. In these modern times, as community survival and prosperity depends on more than one single factor, Muslims could work out a social budget, where weightage could be apportioned to various human endeavors ( say Education 40%, business and industry 40%, political struggle 20%) and resources should be marshaled and utilised in conformity with the national budget worked out by a national consensus. A national survey of communities, best suited culturally and/or temperamentally for different vocations, may be used to invite groups with special skills and experience to lead in their respective field of specialisation. Mr. Yusuf has correctly said, Muslims are too obsessed with the past. Their concern should be the future. Unfortunately, there is some substance to the conjecture that they are not allowed to forget their past, lest they monopolise the future.
#171
The Editor
The Times of India FAX:262 0144 / 0401
Mumbai PHONE:2620271
Sir,
Apropos M. Yusuf Khan’s article: ‘Muslims must aim for higher than Quota’ (TOI, 27/12). Muslims should certainly aim for higher goals than reservations in few govt. jobs; but in these competitive times, more than ever, a bird in hand is hundred times better than two in the bushes. Muslims may do well to follow Israel’s strategies vis-à-vis Arabs. While Arabs wasted 5 decades fighting to regain Palestine, on all or nothing basis, Israel was grateful for even crumbs and gradually worked towards more and more, till today it has several times more land than it was granted in 1948. This, however, should not preclude them to scientifically plan for the future. In these modern times, as community survival and prosperity depends on more than one single factor, Muslims could work out a social budget, where weightage could be apportioned to various human endeavors ( say Education 40%, business and industry 40%, political struggle 20%) and resources should be marshaled and utilised in conformity with the national budget worked out by a national consensus. A national survey of communities, best suited culturally and/or temperamentally for different vocations, may be used to invite groups with special skills and experience to lead in their respective field of specialisation. Mr. Yusuf has correctly said, Muslims are too obsessed with the past. Their concern should be the future. Unfortunately, there is some substance to the conjecture that they are not allowed to forget their past, lest they monopolise the future.
#171
