Hypocricy - Unconscious bias

Hello,

In a gathering on Thursday we discussed two topics.

One: MF Hussain getting Government nod about security cover on coming to India and whether he should be excused for his excessively sexual potrayal of Hindu Gods and Goddess.

Second: The growing menace of the Maoist and whether their being asked to come to the negotiation table is correct.

Most of us were liberal, secular, democratic, timid and Pseudo intellectuals who thrive on our ability to accept every attrocity with open arms.

Not surprisingly, a majority said that MF Hussain has done no wrong. Most felt that he was being targetted because he was from the minority (22% of the population and still minority). Few said that what wrong has he done when what he actually did was replicating what has been done in Ajanta & Ellora. Some felt that what he has done is less vulgar than heroines posing semi-nude for gods and goddess in films and calendars.

It was felt that MF Hussain has freedom of expression as an artist and no one has the right to stop him from doing so.

When it was pointed out that the world does not tolerate such expression (eg: the protest of sikhs against Dera chief for dressing as their Guru and the Dane being pulled up for the cartoon on Islam) and that MF Hussain has been selective about his liberties, they claimed that there ought to be difference between a moderate, secular viewpoint and a radical fanatical outlook. For them the protest against the paintings was a radical outburst that needed to be condemned.

We then taked about the Maoist and how they were killing inncoent people and getting away with it. When some expressed anguish at the Governments decision to bend and call them for a dialogue, most of the others protested saying that the maoist had no option and they were taking up arms because they have been exploited, abused, insulted.

Now if you look at the discussion it will be obvious that while on one side the group preaches tolerance and avoidance of any protest on the other side it sympathises with perpetrators of aimless violence.

Selective bias, is it not.

Could anyone sympathize with the maoist if their son was killed. Would you sit without protesting if MF Hussain had painted your mother, your sister, your wife, your daughter naked.

So why do you have such opinions my friend.

All because it is you are not personally affected.

Best regards,

Manoj

Brazil at the top of the world - once again, India collapse to quality short pitched bowling - once again, Lalgarh falls - once again

Yesterday was an eventful day.

Brazil were at it again:
The magicians worked their magic around the upstarts and got back from a 2-0 deficit to triumph in the confed cup finals.
I said once again the samba boys play their music. Besides the match what did I notice. The Brazilians (several of them) took off their yellow jerseys after the match and showed off their faith in Jesus. The vests they wore carried messages like "I love Jesus" and "I belong to Jesus".

India succumbed to genuine short stuff
Teams have been working on the drawing boards and in the nets. The Calypso kids make the Indian batters dance to their chin music and the much talked about replacements of Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid and Lakshman fall like nine pins.
Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall once again I say. Funny for an attack that did not even have a Fidel Edwards.
Do the Indians have a plan? Not that it is visible. The batters come and go as if it is normal to be out for a duck and bowlers have no set plan. The captain played a good knock with the bat (saving grace) for some insipid captaincy since the last few months. Time he took a break I feel.

Lalgarh has fallen - Naxals beware there is no future for your kind of politics
The days of glamour associated with organized crime is slowly getting over. Sri Lanka has shown us the way and it is really heartening to note that instead of playing politics over the issue the cetral government has really worked hand in hand with the state government. If dirty politics had dictated this was a good opportunity for them to add fuel to fire. The fact that they decided to use the fire brigade instead speaks volumes about the maturity of the present leadership. (handng over the ID card project to Nandan Nilekani is another sign of mature politics). Now that the maoist are on the run we can say that Naxals are on the backfoot.
Kanu Sanyal never again.