‘ My Bhaarat ’
Politicians Under Shoe-Attack
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
Mukesh immortalized the song ‘Mera Joota Hai Jaapaani’ when he sang it for Raj Kapoor’s movie ‘Shri 420’.
It starts with these lines:
Mera Joota hai Japani
Yeh Patloon Inglistani
Sar pe lal topi rusi
Phir bhi dil hai hindustani(My shoes are Japanese
These pants are from England
The red hat on my head is Russian
But even then, my heart is Indian)
The song was considered a representation of newly sovereign nation of India. The bitter experience of slavery was left behind. We, Indians, were determined to rise up to new heights. Though we have to achieve our big goals yet, but it seems that it will not take too much time when we will come into sight as factual ‘Vishv Guru’.
The song earned fame even on international level. Especially in then the USSR, people were seen singing this song.
During my childhood, I liked this song very much. Simple and melodious tune, with impressive and meaningful words. Years have passed and I had almost forgotten the song.
A few days ago, in a video clip I saw a shoe flying in the air. As I was watching the video clip, the song ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’ again came into my mind.
One may ask, “What was special there in the shoe?”
So far as I know, there is only one pair of shoes in the world, which were considered ‘special’. Many people were ready to buy these shoes at an unbelievable high price. These shoes belonged to Muntadhar al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist. Yes, the same shoes which were thrown on the then US president George Bush.
I do not know what happened to Zaidi’s shoes which he hurled at Bush. I do not think Bush had taken them with him as a trophy. Perhaps the historic shoes are kept as a ‘case property’. Whatsoever, the shoe I saw in a video clip did not belong to Muntadhar al-Zaidi.
One may again ask, “Was the shoe in the video clip was made in Japan?”
Actually, I do not know, nor do I care about it. The name of Japan is mentioned in the song only, which I have quoted above. That is all. Otherwise there is no Japanese link in this story. What I want to emphasize is that Japan did not provide the shoe in question. I am making it clear here, so that no one start blaming Japan for this episode. We blame only Pakistan for our problems.
Neither Japan, nor Zaidi Sahib does make this shoe a ‘special’ one. Actually, the shoe belonged to an Indian journalist, named Jarnail Singh. And, in the video clip, I saw the shoe being hurled towards our Home Minister P Chidambaram Sahib.
According to newspapers,
Chidambaram was addressing mediapersons at the AICC headquarters when Jarnail Singh, a journalist with Dainik Jagran, flung the shoe, in protest against the clean chit to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 riots case.
The Home Minister was speaking on terror and the measures taken by the government to deal with it. It all began with Jarnail questioning Chidambaram if the CBI clean chit to Tytler was under pressure from the government? Before posing the question, Jarnail also attempted to make a statement regarding the riots. But the Minister asked him to come to the point.
In reply to Jarnail’s query, Chidambaram said: “Firstly, CBI is not under the Home Ministry. And neither the Home Ministry nor any other ministry of the government had put any pressure on the CBI. The agency has only submitted its report and now it’s for the court to accept or reject it. Let’s be patient and wait for the court decision.”
As the journalist persisted with his questions, Chidambaram said: “No arguments, you are using this forum…” At this, Jarnail got up and hurled the shoe, shouting: “I protest.” An alert Home Minister, however, instantly ducked aside to see the shoe pass by him. His only reaction was: “Please take him away… gently, gently.” http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090408/main1.htm
To err is human, to forgive divine. Chidambaram Sahib forgave Jarnail Singh immediately. Jarnail singh was let off after spending close to an hour at the police station following the intervention of the Home Minister.
And why not? When we almost have forgiven those killers of thousands of innocents who were responsible for 1984’s riots in Delhi, Kanpur and other places in India, why should we not forgive Jarnail Singh? Well done, the government of India!
Many politicians were scared because of this ‘shoe attack’ on Chidambaram Sahib. Generally, people here in India were happy over this ‘shoe attack’. In fact, many persons in India are inspired by Jarnail Singh’s action. Throwing shoes at politicians have now become the easiest language of protest in our country.
Within a few days, another Congress leader Naveen Jindal faced the ire of Rambal, a retired school teacher. Jindal was addressing a meeting at his constituency in Kurukshetra when a school teacher in the audience hurled a shoe at him.
And then, it was Advani Ji’s turn. Pawas Agarwal, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office-bearer threw a ‘khadaun’ or wooden slipper at LK Advani when the latter was going up on stage to address a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh.
Pawas Agarwal said that Advani was “a fake iron man” and did not deserve to be the BJP’s prime ministerial aspirant.
The slipper missed Advani, but he became the latest victim of a series of ’shoe-throwing’ incidents in the country. A former Katni district president of the BJP, Agarwal was taken into custody by police. (News)
Then, actor of Hindi movies Jitendra Sahib came under shoe attack during an election rally in Maharashtra.
Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had to come under shoe attack during the election campaign when Hitesh Chauhan, a computer engineering student hurled a sneaker towards him while he was addressing a poll rally in Gujarat but it fell way short of the target. Manmohan Singh forgave Hitesh Chauhan and did not want the police to register any case against him.
Controversial politicians in India are now very frightened. They are taking precautionary measures to avoid shoe attacks. If Jarnail Singh was angry over 1984’s riots, there are others who are angry over anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat in 2002. Many people often blame Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat for that anti-Muslim massacre. So, Modi Bhai could be a target of a shoe-missile. And, Modi Sahib understands this. In an effort to save Narendra Modi from a probable shoe attack, about two feet plastic net was put up in front of the stage from where Modi addressed an election rally in Gujarat. (News).
While I am writing this page, another shoe-attack is reported here in India. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa became the latest target of the ‘footwear missile’, when a slipper was hurled at him while he was addressing an election meeting. (News)
If we examine all such incidents of shoe-attacks on politicians, we get a clearer message. The message says, “Everyone guilty of killings and misery of people should always be prepared for shoe attack”.
The people of India have come open on roads. They will now not stop. If they decide, they sit even on throne. They are singing the song:
Mera Joota Hai Japani
Yeh Patloon Englishtani
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi
Phir Bhi Dil Hai HindustaniNikal Pade Hai Khulli Sadak Par Apna Seena Taane
Manzil Kahan, Kahan Rukna Hai,Uparwala Jaane
Badte Jaayen Hum Sailani, Jaise Ek Dariya Toofani
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
Mera Joota Hai Japani…Upar-Neeche Neeche-Upar Leher Chale Jeevan Ki
Nadaan Hai Jo Baith Kinare, Pooche Raah Watan Ki
Chalna Jeevan Ki Kahaani, Rukna Maut Ki Nishaani
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
Mera Joota Hai Japani…Honge Raaje Rajkanwar Hum Bigde Dil Shehzade
Hum Singhasan Par Ja Baithen Jab Jab Karen Iraade
Surat Hai Jaani Pehchani Duniya Walon Ko Hairani
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
Mera Joota Hai Japani…
April 28, 2009
INS Tabar Sank Pirate Ship
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
In recent times, there has been a flow in piracy incidents off the shore of Somalia. No strict action was taken against them, although the pirates till now have managed to attack 91 vessels, with a few of them still being held captive, since January. It is said that Somali pirates have been paid more than $150m (£101m) in ransoms (Opens in a new window) this year.
The naval forces of the US, UK, Canada, France, Turkey, Germany, Russia and India are present in the Gulf of Aden. This shows how the world’s trading powers observe the piracy as a common danger. However, a strict action was needed.
And the Indian Navy did it.
On November 18, 2008, the Indian navy’s warship, ‘the Tabar’, spotted the pirate vessel while patrolling 285 nautical miles (528km) south-west of Salalah in Oman in evening. The pirates on board were armed with guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers. When Indians commanded the vessel stop for investigation, the pirate ship opened fire on the Tabar. The Indians retaliated and sank the pirate mother ship. A few of the pirates escaped on two speedboats.
Earlier, helicopter-borne Indian marine commandos stopped pirates from boarding and hijacking an Indian merchant vessel.
Now, the government of Somalia has permitted India to enter its territorial waters as part of an effort to check piracy. Indian Navy is expected to dispatch a powerful warship to drive pirates out of the Gulf of Aden. Navies of US and France have already been permitted hot pursuit in Somalian territorial waters which extends upto 12 nautical miles from the coastline.
The action by the Indian Navy is being praised (Opens in a new window).
The Word ‘Hindustan’ and Guru Nanak Ji
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)It is a well-known fact that Guru Nanak Dev Ji used the word ‘Hindustan’ in his holy hymns. These hymns are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
These are two lines of two different hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, where the word ‘Hindustan’ has been used: -
Kaaeaa Kaparh Tuk Tuk Hosee Hindustaan Samaalsee Bola.
(The body-fabric will be torn apart into shreds, and then India will remember these words). (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 723).
And,
Khuraasaan Khasmaana Keeaa Hindustaan Daraaeaa.
(Having acquired Khuraasaan, Baabar terrified Hindustan). (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 360).
Guru Nanak Dev Ji used the word ‘Hindustan’ for his own country Bharat, generally known as India amongst English readers. Now, Bharat, Hindustan and India, all of these three names are official names of our country.
Now, the question is who for the first time used the word ‘Hindustan’ for India?
A claim has been made that a book Baarhaspatyua Samhita used the term ‘Hindusthanam’: -
Himalyam Samarabhya
Yavadindusarovaram
Tam Deonirmitam Desham
Hindusthanam Prachakshate ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustan {Opens in new window}).
However, the book Baarhaspatyua Samhita is considered a controversial one, as it is very hard to prove it an ancient book.
It is a fact that the word ‘Hindustan’ is not found in four vedas, 18 Puranas and main Upnishandas.
My father (late Bhai Avtar Singh Ji) once told me there was an opinion that the word ‘Hindustan’ for the first time was used by Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself, or at least he was the person who popularised the word.
Now, an article has appeared on a Hindi website made similar statement. The headline itself says that Bharat was called Hindustan first by (Guru) Nanak. ( http://khabar.ndtv.com/2008/11/12130721/guru-nanak-hindustan.html {Opens in a new window}).
I hope that someone will investigate the issue and provide us more details about the word ‘Hindustan’.
Bajrang Dal runs the risk of being branded terrorist group
http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/06raman.htm?zcc=rl
Bajrang Dal runs the risk of being branded terrorist group
B RamanOctober 06, 2008
There is no other way to describe the wave of jihadi terrorist strikes spreading death and destruction across India since July 2006, and the wave of anti-Christian violence being seen in Orissa and Karnataka since August 2008, except as Indians killing Indians.The wave of jihadi strikes has affected many states — ruled by the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist and others.
Anger against certain aggressive groups of evangelists indulging in a scurrilous campaign against the Hindu religion and converting the impoverished tribals of central India to Christianity through the allurement of money has been widespread in many states of India, but this anger has been expressed in a civilised manner in most states. Only in the BJP ruled Karnataka and in Orissa ruled by an electoral ally of the BJP has this anger taken an ugly, uncivilised turn in the form of orchestrated attacks on Christians and their places of worship and even the alleged rape of a helpless nun.
Continue Reading: – http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/06raman.htm?zcc=rl
Nanded blast accused spill all in narco test
http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/07nanded-blast-accused-spill-the-truth.htm
Nanded blast accused spill all in narco test
Vicky Nanjappa in Bengaluru November 07, 2008 12:15 IST
Hindu terror is here, if investigating agencies are to be believed. The arrest and subsequent interrogation of Sadhvi Pragya Singh, an Army officer and others for their alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts of 2008 indicate the growing involvement of rightwing Hindu activists in terror acts.
While ‘Hindu terror acts’ are made out to be a relatively new concept, the fact remains that the first signs of Hindu terror came to the fore as way back as 2006, when a bomb went off while bding assembled in a Hindu activist’s house in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Confessions by those arrested in that incident, during a narco-analysis test, throw light on how some Hindus decided to execute terror strikes, their modus operandi and the source of funding.
Continue Reading: – http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/07nanded-blast-accused-spill-the-truth.htm
Blasts: Sadhvi, 2 others charged with murder
http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/24sadhvi.htm
October 24, 2008 18:27 IST
Last Updated: October 24, 2008 19:30 IST
A young sadhvi suspected to have links with a Hindu right wing group and two other men were slapped with murder charges on Friday after they were arrested for their alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts in which the police said the deadly RDX was used. Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur along with Shamlal Sahu and Shivnarayan Singh, all hailing from Madhya Pradesh [Images], were produced before a chief judicial magistrate K D Boche in Nashik in Maharashtra which remanded them to police custody till November 3.Public prosecutor Ajay Miisar said the crime committed by the three was a “serious offence” and they were booked under charges of murder, attempt to murder and voluntarily causing grievous hurt under IPC Sections 302, 307 and 326 respectively.
Continue Reading: http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/24sadhvi.htm
Advani against ban on religious conversion
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/advani-against-ban-on-religious-conversion/74252-3.html
Bhubaneswar: Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha elections Lal Krishna Advani on Wednesday rejected the idea of a ban on religious conversion and said any move against conversions must not become a campaign against any community.
Asked whether conversion should be banned in the country as demanded by various outfits, Advani replied, “No. In a country like India, it should not be legally prohibited, though some countries like Indonesia have banned conversion. Even laws in some countries provide for death penalty for conversion.”
Continue Reading: – http://www.ibnlive.com/news/advani-against-ban-on-religious-conversion/74252-3.html
More attacks on Christians
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080918/nation.htm#20
More attacks on Christians
Shubhadeep Choudhury
Tribune News Service
Bangalore, September 17
In a fresh incident of attack on Christian places of worship in the state, some miscreants have damaged a statue of Mother Mary at Kolar.Panindra Singh, ASP, Kolar, confirmed that the miscreants had damaged the statue kept outside the St Mary’s church.
Continue Reading: - http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080918/nation.htm#20
Digvijay compares Sangh with Nazis
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080918/nation.htm#15
Digvijay compares Sangh with Nazis
Bhopal, September 17
The Congress general secretary, Digvijay Singh today lashed out at the ‘Sangh Parivar’ for spreading hatred against Muslims in the country.Speaking at a function organised by a local daily on the topics that should be included in the Congress manifesto for the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, he compared the Sangh Parivar with the Nazis who also preached hatred for
the Jews.Continue Reading: - http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080918/nation.htm#15
‘Treat SIMI, Bajrang Dal, VHP equally’
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080918/nation.htm#11
‘Treat SIMI, Bajrang Dal, VHP equally’
Bijay Sankar Bora
Tribune News Service
Guwahati, September 17
The Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) leader and union minister for chemical, fertilisers and steel, Ramvilas Paswan, yesterday bracketed the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Bajrang Dal, VHP and the RSS in the same category of organisations that are working against the interest of national integrity and demanded equal uniform treatment to all of them under the law.Talking to newsmen here yesterday evening, Paswan, condemning the attacks on Christians in Orissa, Karnataka and other parts of the country, said, “If the SIMI can be banned, why not Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which are also threatening national integrity.
Continue Reading: - http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080918/nation.htm#11
