Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Who is this Arundhati Roy ?





Kashmir has never

been integral part of India: Arundhati Roy




Activist Arundhati Roy, who created a controversy the other day by questioning Jammu and Kashmir's accession to the Union, on Sunday harped on

the same thing saying that the state was never an integral part of India.

Roy was speaking at a seminar on the theme 'Wither Kashmir: Freedom or enslavement'

organised by Coalition of Civil Societies (CCS) in Srinagar.

"Kashmir has never been an integral part of India. It is an historical fact. Even the Indian Government has accepted this," the Booker Prize winner said.

Roy alleged that India became "colonizing power" soon after its independence fro

m British rule.

T

oday, my friend Anoop asked me, who is this Arundhati Roy ? I thought for some seconds and answered Arundhati

Roy = ``self appointed rights activist.''

We extol those patriot Americans who led to the protests against American oppression in Salvador, Vietnam and Iraq. Yes I do not support 110 killing my own n

ation populace in 100 days, I can’t even think of bearing this notion.

Imagine had it been any other place in the country,(barring north east and J&K) it would have been a headline everyday. We as Indians should be ashamed of the killing, much as we should be condemning the violence instigated by the separatists. And arundhati roy is a crap, we all know that.

We need to comprehend what is the main philosophy behi

nd arundhati roy avowal. We should think in a roundabout way she wants to impede the ghastly possessions done to the populaces of Kashmir so that Kashmir can be hold on to India.

The demand of the Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley was the early signs, according to the government to take steps in

this direction was even thinking. Why the demand of the BJP, the state required. But Arundhati who

has said, that definitely need to understand a little well. Maoist bases too secretly and writing long articles in his praise is in the earlier controversy. Which led to his latest

statement on Kashmir the discussion has come again, s

omething like that they stand a half - two years ago at K wrote his famous article was another. He was talking to Kashmiri self-determination.

Jaitley is right about the law and the Constitution but he is wrong about the political wisdom of prosecuting secessionists for non-v

iolent offences. Geelani routinely makes speeches in Srinagar that are far more provocative than the one he made last Thursday in Delhi. The fact that he made it in Delhi doesn't worsen the offence. Both Srinagar and Delhi are, after all, in India.

If the aim of those who organised the convention of secessionists in Delhi on October 21 was to court both notoriety and pu

blicity, they can look back with satisfaction on a very successful venture. Middle India may have been absolutely appalled and horrified at the spectacle of pro-Pakistan Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani preaching his divisive message in the heart of the Capital, flanked by the intellectual cheer-leader of the anything-to-offend brigade, Arundhati Roy. However, the organisers w

eren't interested in winning over Indian opinion. Their objective was propagandist.

Lastly, question which I want to ask Arundhati Roy is where was she when Lakhs of Kashmiri Pundits were thrown out of Kashmir. What happened to her crusade for justice then? Where were all these Jhola Wallahs then? However, I don't think Arundhati should be arrested for sedition. It would only be counter productive. Motto of the story writers should stick to writing snag initiate when they begin parleying.

Prateek Pathak

Student

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad

Who is this Arundhati Roy ?





Kashmir has never

been integral part of India: Arundhati Roy




Activist Arundhati Roy, who created a controversy the other day by questioning Jammu and Kashmir's accession to the Union, on Sunday harped on

the same thing saying that the state was never an integral part of India.

Roy was speaking at a seminar on the theme 'Wither Kashmir: Freedom or enslavement'

organised by Coalition of Civil Societies (CCS) in Srinagar.

"Kashmir has never been an integral part of India. It is an historical fact. Even the Indian Government has accepted this," the Booker Prize winner said.

Roy alleged that India became "colonizing power" soon after its independence fro

m British rule.

T

oday, my friend Anoop asked me, who is this Arundhati Roy ? I thought for some seconds and answered Arundhati

Roy = ``self appointed rights activist.''

We extol those patriot Americans who led to the protests against American oppression in Salvador, Vietnam and Iraq. Yes I do not support 110 killing my own n

ation populace in 100 days, I can’t even think of bearing this notion.

Imagine had it been any other place in the country,(barring north east and J&K) it would have been a headline everyday. We as Indians should be ashamed of the killing, much as we should be condemning the violence instigated by the separatists. And arundhati roy is a crap, we all know that.

We need to comprehend what is the main philosophy behi

nd arundhati roy avowal. We should think in a roundabout way she wants to impede the ghastly possessions done to the populaces of Kashmir so that Kashmir can be hold on to India.

The demand of the Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley was the early signs, according to the government to take steps in

this direction was even thinking. Why the demand of the BJP, the state required. But Arundhati who

has said, that definitely need to understand a little well. Maoist bases too secretly and writing long articles in his praise is in the earlier controversy. Which led to his latest

statement on Kashmir the discussion has come again, s

omething like that they stand a half - two years ago at K wrote his famous article was another. He was talking to Kashmiri self-determination.

Jaitley is right about the law and the Constitution but he is wrong about the political wisdom of prosecuting secessionists for non-v

iolent offences. Geelani routinely makes speeches in Srinagar that are far more provocative than the one he made last Thursday in Delhi. The fact that he made it in Delhi doesn't worsen the offence. Both Srinagar and Delhi are, after all, in India.

If the aim of those who organised the convention of secessionists in Delhi on October 21 was to court both notoriety and pu

blicity, they can look back with satisfaction on a very successful venture. Middle India may have been absolutely appalled and horrified at the spectacle of pro-Pakistan Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani preaching his divisive message in the heart of the Capital, flanked by the intellectual cheer-leader of the anything-to-offend brigade, Arundhati Roy. However, the organisers w

eren't interested in winning over Indian opinion. Their objective was propagandist.

Lastly, question which I want to ask Arundhati Roy is where was she when Lakhs of Kashmiri Pundits were thrown out of Kashmir. What happened to her crusade for justice then? Where were all these Jhola Wallahs then? However, I don't think Arundhati should be arrested for sedition. It would only be counter productive. Motto of the story writers should stick to writing snag initiate when they begin parleying.

Prateek Pathak

Student

B.A in Media Studies

University of Allahabad

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Summary of ASI Report on Ayodhya excavations




[Below is reproduced the "Summary of Results" of the Archaeological Survey of India report on the Ayodhya excavations. This is contained in Volume 18 (pages 4299 to 4305) of Justice Sudhir Agarwal's judgment in the Allahabad High Court case on the Ayodhya dispute]


"Summary of Results":

"Excavation at the disputed site of Rama

Janmabhumi - Babri Masjid was carried out by the

Archaeological Survey of India from 12 March 2003 to 7

August 2003. During this period, as per the directions of

the Hon'ble High Court, Lucknow, 82 trenches were

excavated to verify the anomalies mentioned in the report

of the Ground Penetrating Radar Survey which was

conducted at the site prior to taking up the excavations. A

total number of 82 trenches along with some of their baulks

were checked for anomalies and anomaly alignments. The

anomalies were confirmed in the trenches in the form of

pillar bases, structures, floors and foundation though no

such remains were noticed in some of them at the stipulated

depths and spots. Besides the 82 trenches, a few more

making a total of 90 finally were also excavated keeping in

view the objective fixed by the Hon'ble High Court to

confirm the structures.


The results of the excavation are summarized as here

under:

The northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) using

people were the first to occupy the disputed site at

Ayodhya. During the first millennium B.C. although no

structural activities were encountered in the limited area

probed, the material culture is represented by terracotta

figurines of female deities showing archaic features, beads

of terracotta and glass, wheels and fragments of votive

tanks etc. The ceramic industry has the collection of

NBPW, the main diagnostic trait of the period besides the

grey, black slipped and red wares. A round signet with

legend in Asokan Brahmi is another important find of this

level. On the basis of material equipment and 14 C dates,

this period may be assigned to circa 1000 B.C. to 300 B.C.

The Sunga horizon (second-first century B.C.) comes

next in the order of the cultural occupation at the site. The

typical terracotta mother goddess, human and animal

figurines, beads, hairpin, engraver etc. represent the

cultural matrix of this level. The pottery collection includes

black slipped, red and grey wares etc. The stone and brick

structure found from this level mark the beginning of the

structural activity at the site.


The Kushan period (first to third century A.D.)

followed the Sunga occupation. Terracotta human and

animal figurines, fragments of votive tanks, beads,

antimony rod, hair pin, bangle fragments and ceramic

industry comprising red ware represent the typical Kushan

occupation at the site. Another important feature of this

period is the creation of large sized structures as witnesses

by the massive structure running into twenty-two courses.

The advent of Guptas (fourth to sixth century A.D.)

did not bring any qualitative change in building activity

although the period is known for its Classical artistic

elements. However, this aspect is represented by the typical

terracotta figurines and a copper coin with the legend Sri

Chandra (Gupta) and illustrative potsherds.

During the Post-Gupta-Rajput period (seventh to

tenth century A.D.), too the site has witnessed structural

activity mainly constructed of burnt bricks. However,

among the exposed structures, there stands a circular brick

shrine which speaks of its functional utility for the first

time. To recapitulate quickly, exteriorly on plan, it is

circular whereas internally squarish with an entrance from

the east. Though the structure is damaged, the northern

wall still retains a provision for pranala, i.e., waterchute

which is a distinct feature of contemporary temples already

known from the Ganga-Yamuna plain.


Subsequently, during the early medieval period

(eleventh - twelfth century A.D.) a huge structure, nearly 50

m in north-south orientation was constructed which seems

to have been short lived, as only four of the fifty pillar

bases exposed during the excavation belong to this level

with a brick crush floor. On the remains of the above

structure was constructed a massive structure with at least

three structural phases and three successive floors attached

with it. The architectural members of the earlier short lived

massive structure with stencil cut foliage pattern. And other

decorative motifs were reused in the construction of the

monumental structure having a huge pillared hall (or two

halls) which is different from residential structures,

providing sufficient evidence of a construction of public

usage which remained under existence for a long time

during the period VII (Medieval-Sultanate level - twelfth to

sixteenth century A.D.) It was over the top of this

construction during the early sixteenth century, the

disputed structure was constructed directly resting over it.

There is sufficient proof of existence of a massive and

monumental structure having a minimum dimension of

50x30 m in north-south and east-west directions

respectively just below the disputed structure. In course of

present excavations nearly 50 pillar bases with brick bat

foundation, below calcrete blocks topped by sandstone

blocks were found. The pillar bases exposed during the

present excavation in northern and southern areas also

give an idea of the length of the massive wall of the earlier

construction with which they are associated and which

might have been originally around 60 m (of which the 50 m

length is available at present). The centre of the central

chamber of the disputed structure falls just over the central

point of the length of the massive wall of the preceding

period which could not be excavated due to presence of

Ram Lala at the spot in the make-shift structure. This area

is roughly 15x15 m on the raised platform. Towards east of

this central point a circular depression with projection on

the west, cut into the large sized brick pavement, signify the

place where some important object was placed. Terracotta

lamps from the various trenches and found in a group in

the levels of Periods VII in trench G2 are associated with

the structural phase.


In the last phase of the period VII glazed ware sherds

make their appearance and continue in the succeeding

levels of the next periods where they are accompanied by

glazed tiles which were probably used in the original

construction of the disputed structure. Similarly is the case

of celadon and porcelain sherds recovered in a very less

quantity they come from the secondary context. Animal

bones have been recovered from various levels of different

periods, but skeletal remains noticed in the trenches in

northern and southern areas belong to the Period IX as the

grave pits have been found cut into the deposition coeval

with the late disputed structures and are sealed by the top

deposit.


It is worthwhile to observe that the various structures

exposed right from the Sunga to Gupta period do not speak

either about their nature or functional utility as no

evidence has come to approbate them. Another noteworthy

feature is that it was only during and after Period IV

(Gupta level) onwards upto Period IX (late and post

Mughal level) that the regular habitational deposits

disappear in the concerned levels and the structural phases

are associated with either structural debris or filling

material taken out from the adjoining area to the level the

ground for construction purpose. As a result of which much

of the earlier material in the form of pottery, terracottas

and other objects of preceding periods, particularly of

Period I (NBPW level) and Period III (Kushan level) are

found in the deposits of later periods mixed along with

their contemporary material. The area below the disputed

site thus, remained a place for public use for a long time

till the Period VIII (Mughal level) when the disputed

structure was built which was confined to a limited area

and population settled around it as evidenced by the

increase in contemporary archaeological material

including pottery. The same is further attested by the

conspicuous absence of habitational structures such as

house-complexes, soakage pits, soakage jars, ring wells,

drains, wells, hearths, kilns or furnaces etc. from Period IV

(Gupta level) onwards and in particular from Period VI

(Early Medieval-Rajput level) and Period VII (Medieval-

Sultanate level).


The site has also proved to be significant for taking

back its antiquarian remains for the first time to the middle

of the thirteenth century B.C. (1250±130 B.C.) on the

analogy of the C14 dates. The lowest deposit above the

natural soil represents the NBPW period and therefore the

earliest remains may belong to the thirteenth century B.C.

which is confirmed by two more consistent C14 dates from

the NBPW level (Period I), viz. (910±100 B.C.) These dates

are from trench G7. Four more dates from the upper

deposit though showing presence of NPBW and associated

pottery are determined by Radio-Carbon dating as 780±80

B.C., 530±70 B.C. And 320±80 B.C.. In the light of the

above dates in association with the Northern Black

Polished Ware (NBPW) which is generally accepted to be

between circa 600 B.C. to 300 B.C. it can be pushed back

to circa 1000 B.C. and even if a solitary date, three

centuries earlier is not associated with NBPW, the human

activity at the site dates back to circa thirteenth century

B.C. on the basis of the scientific dating method providing

the only archaeological evidence of such an early date of

the occupation of the site.


The Hon'ble High Court, in order to get sufficient

archaeological evidence on the issue involved "whether

there was any temple/structure which was demolished and

mosque was constructed on the disputed site "as stated on

page 1 and further on p.5 of their order dated 5 march

2003, had given directions to the Archaeological Survey of

India to excavate at the disputed site where the GPR

Survey has suggested evidence of anomalies which could

be structure, pillars, foundation walls, slab flooring etc.

which could be confirmed by excavation. Now, viewing in

totality and taking into account the archaeological

evidence of a massive structure just below the disputed

structure and evidence of continuity in structural phases

from the tenth century onwards upto the construction of the

disputed structure alongwith the yield of stone and

decorated bricks as well as mutilated sculpture of divine

couple and carved architectural members including foliage

patterns, amalaka, kapotapali doorjamb with semi-circular

pilaster, broken octagonal shaft of black schist pillar, lotus

motif, circular shrine having pranala (waterchute) in the

north, fifty pillar bases in association of the huge structure,

are indicative of remains which are distinctive features

found associated with the temples of north India."

Friday, October 1, 2010

Ayodhya -An Authentic Decision !!!






The most significant feature of the much-awaited Allahabad High Court verdict is that it has overturned the only other judgment of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute: a Faizabad district court verdict of 1886. At that time, confronted by litigation that arose from Hindu-Muslim tension over the issue, district judge FEA Chamier ruled in March 1886: "It is most unfortunate that a Masjid should have been built on land specially held sacred by the Hindus, but as that occurred 356 years ago, it is too late to remedy the grievance."




It's a day the country has waited for months, years, why even a generation. And when it finally came, it turned out to be one that is truly secular in character. While seeking to settle the issue once and for all, the honorable judges have decreed that Lord Ram was indeed born at that particular spot and that it should be handed over to the Hindus. But at the same time, the court kept open the issue of ownership of the place.




On Thursday afternoon, a majority decision of a the three-bench court disagreed with the fundamental premise of Chamier. It held that because the Babri structure was built after demolishing a pre-existing Hindu temple in 1528, it couldn't really be regarded as a legitimate mosque, at least theologically. As such, it had absolutely no hesitation in endorsing the belief among large numbers of Hindus in the Awadh region that the disputed site was indeed the rightful inheritance of Ram bhakts. The High Court said that, ideally, the 70 acres of so of disputed property should be split three ways but that the Ram lalla (child Ram) idol should be allowed to remain at the site of what was earlier the central dome of the Babri Masjid.
The unambiguous verdict of the High Court was, to say the least, unexpected. Till Wednesday evening, the so-called secular forces and the Muslim leadership were insisting that the verdict would establish the majesty of the Constitution and the highlight the non-negotiable nature of the rule of law.





After the verdict, their enthusiasm is distinctly less pronounced. It has been suggested that the verdict is a tacit legitimization of both the installation of the idols inside the Babri Masjid in December 1949 and its dramatic demolition 43 years later. If the Babri structure was a non-mosque since its construction in 1528, the crime of the kar sevaks was the desecration of a medieval monument and not a place of worship.





Undoubtedly, this interpretation of the dispute is going to be contested in the Supreme Court. That a section of the Muslim community is unhappy with the judgment is obvious. But far more significant than that is the fury with which the judgment has been greeted by the secular modernists. Apart from contesting everything that the "eminent historians" have been suggesting about Ram being born in Afghanistan or somewhere else and about the Babri structure having been built on vacant rock, the judges have attached greater weight to the Archaeological Survey of India report and to the weight of local tradition.





As for the Congress party, it was deeply apprehensive of what the judgment might be. They must be happy now as the BJP does not get to use the Ram Temple issue in future electoral contests to polarize the voters. The most immediate impact of this would be in the campaign for the Bihar elections.





But I am a bit disappointed by the statement of Zafaryab Jilani that he intends to appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court. No question that he has every right to go to the higher court but i think Muslims as a community should realize that this is the rarest moment in the history of Free India and they will present a really historical example by accepting the decision as it is. History does give us rare moments to rise above the level and set the example for future generations. If they decide not to appeal, it will really be the greatest and proudest moment for all those who have strong belief in secularism and Sarva Dharma Sam Bhav.
This affords political parties the opportunity to fight for the transfer of the land for the construction of the temple and the mosque, thereby opening up a new issue even as it settled one. The judgment is a step forward but a very small one and it is difficult to predict now the complications that lie ahead. Yet it was gratifying to note that the rabble-rousers on either side were conspicuous by their absence.





There are no doubt maximalists on both sides who seek total victory for themselves and a total defeat for their adversaries. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has many such elements in its leadership. Its demand, made only a few days before the verdict, that Hindus must have unhindered possession of all 70 acres of the disputed site and that no mosque should be located within the municipal limits of Ayodhya, suggest an astonishing degree of narrow mindedness which is dangerous for the country. If these bigoted elements start interpreting the verdict according to their convenience, it will be only a matter of time before the whole atmosphere of India is vitiated and the Hindus lose the moral advantage they have at present.





It is important that quick steps are taken to allay all the misgivings of those who see themselves as the defeated side. There will be enough politicians and general busybodies who will suggest that the High Court verdict has menacing implications for all minorities—quite forgetting that the Places of Worship Act of 1991 make it impossible for an Ayodhya-type dispute to emerge in the future. There will be appeals to Muslim victimhood and the sinister suggestion that the community can never expect justice from a biased Hindu-dominated judiciary.
For the Hindus, the High Court verdict was a significant victory. Statesmanship demands that it shouldn't also be translated as a landmark Muslim defeat. The High Court verdict on Ayodhya should end a very troubled chapter of India's history and not initiate a new discord.





For me the most important fact has been the peaceful, mature reaction of the people of India. They have risen above the nightmares of the past and taken a historic stride towards our dreams for the future.But on 30th of September 2010 India proved to itself that as a society, as a democracy and as a grouping of ethnic diversity, it has reached that point where the anfractuosities of its blood-splattered history can be straightened by the obvious apathy of goal-oriented, forward-looking, self-centred young India of today and tomorrow.It is important to note that the judgement will come into force only after three months and the Centre will continue to hold the property as Receiver.It is a transparent and clear verdict over a 60-year-old complicated case. Now, it is up to the people of India to make the best of this historic verdict for peaceful coexistence. For me the most important fact has been the peaceful, mature reaction of the people of India. They have risen above the nightmares of the past and taken a historic stride towards our dreams for the future.


PRATEEK PATHAK
Student
B.A in Media Studies
www.pathakprateek.blogspot.com , www.prateekallahabad.blogspot.com