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Manas Shaikh

Hindutva Terror: Why?

by Manas Shaikh

Arrest of Sadhvi accused of terrorism is an important turn in our history. We need to understand what drives the masterminds and the foot soldiers in order to address the problem.

55 comments

Crafting An Antidote For Extremism

by Manas Shaikh

Indians’ search for a suitable image.

34 comments

Open Thread: Your Vision For India

by Manas Shaikh

What is your vision for Future India?

2 comments

Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin

by Manas Shaikh

Analyzing Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin and their convictions

39 comments

Cricket(s) and Burnt Lives

by Manas Shaikh

The fanatics were busy in Orissa while the nation was busy with its cricket.

81 comments

Malaysia Violences, Hindu Rights and Indian “Interference”

by Manas Shaikh

Let us first note that the banner under which the disaffected and discriminated Hindus are fighting is “Hindu Rights Action Force”, and not “Indian Rights Action Force.”
And that, my friends, is the right thing to do. They are Hindus, and not Indians. Few generations ago their ancestors (not they) were Indians, but the people who [...]

23 comments

Travel, Kannada and Untouchability

by Manas Shaikh

I was traveling from Bangalore to Kolkata few days ago. On my way, I saw a few things, which I thought I might share.
Travel
South India is very sensitive about it’s languages and culture. They feel that the North Indian (Hindi) culture is trying to eat up their culture and language. Sometimes these justifiable concerns are [...]

35 comments

Petition: Allow Al-Jazeera to Downlink in India

by Manas Shaikh

Target url
I have written about Al-Jazeera not being allowed to downlink in India before. Nothing has changed since then (who expected anything to happen? )
(In the meantime, I’ve loved this interview of Alice Walker. Have a look, it’s only about 15 mins.)
Anyway, determined not to give up, I’ve prepared a petition at [...]

6 comments

Independence Eve Gift

by Manas Shaikh

Just as we were leaving behind the blatant attack by MIM, the Shiv Sena has offered us another incident to stir Gandhi in his grave.
They, it appears, have a good sense of humour. They chose independence day eve. It was their way of celebrating independence, I guess!
Unfortunately, the front pages of newspapers are reserved [...]

7 comments

Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Silence

by Manas Shaikh

When I first read the news of Taslima being heckled at Hyderabad, I felt angry. Moreover, as the news was (not very unexpectedly) on the front page, I knew we are expected to deplore the incident (which many of us do); however, the news that we do hate it is not expected to reach front [...]

21 comments