Muslim legislator's bill for ban on trade of cow bones and fat defeated by BJP in MP Assembly

It was a major embarassment for the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh Assembly. The lone Muslim legislator, Arif Aqueel, came up with a private bill for ban on trade of bones and fat of the cows.

This was not the first time when Aqueel has brought up the issue, as he has consistently spoken about condition of old cows and need for protection of cows, which is considered sacred in India.

Aqueel said that while cow is termed as 'gau mata' and given status of mother, old cows are left to die. Those involved in trade of bones and fat of cow, kill the bovines. He said that the trade should be banned and there must be proper system in place to hold last rites of cows on government expense.

While minister for Animal Husbandry Kusum Mehdale praised Aqueel and even suggested giving him an award for his concern, she refused to take any action in this regard. The speaker suggested that the bill could later be introduced, after there is talk with religious gurus.

But Aqueel didn't back down. He kept raising the issue in the house. The MLA who represents Bhopal North Assembly seat and has won five times from the constituency since 1989, said that BJP is expected to ban the trade.

Muslim MLA speaks for cow conservation, BJP opposes it!

"You have won because on your plank that you would work for conservaton of cow", he said.

The BJP legislators created uproar but Aqueel remained defiant and stood his ground.

Finally, the speaker decided to take voice vote. The BJP being majority in the house, the bill was defeated by 55 to 31 votes.

Interestingly, most newspapers didn't report this debate in the Vidhan Sabha, properly though two newspapers carried it in their online editions. Read the report in Hindi newspapers and a brief report in the Agency below.

1. Government in a fix over Aqueel's private bill seeking ban on trade of cow fat, bones
2. Govt didn't accept proposal for last rites of cows
3. Agency report on the same issue

Bano Bi loves to fight elections: Indian woman in the fray during Lok Sabha polls has contested 12 elections now

Everyone knows Bano Bi, an elderly Muslim woman, in Mandsaur, a district in Western Madhya Pradesh. Bano Bi is 70.

But she loves to fight elections. This year it is no exception. She is again in the fray for the Lok Sabha. The elderly woman has been fighting Lok Sabha [Parliamentary] elections since 1991.

Also, she has fought Vidhan Sabha [Assembly] elections regularly, apart from a civic body poll. Though she is always contesting polls, people don't feel that she is there just to cut the votes.

They know it's her passion. Once, she had even come third after the Congress and BJP candidates. Bano Bi knows that she doesn't have a strong chance.

But she feels that it is important to contest. Her family members support her in canvassing and in arranging the funds for running the publicity campaign.

Bano Bi is fighting on the ticket of Bharatiya Minorities Surkasha Mahasangh (BMSM). The BMSM is a basically a politically party with roots in Maharashtra, where it puts up candidates.

The BMSM's national president is Sundar Shaekhar, who is the adopted son of Haji Mastan, the Mumbai-based underworld don who had later tried his luck in politics too. Mastan couldn't get success in his avatar as a politician.

The election scene is quite interesting in Mandsaur constituency. Congress' Meenakshi Natarajan is hoping to retain her seat. BJP has fielded Sudhir Gupta. The maverick Paras Saklecha has been fielded by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The BSP has fielded an interesting man, Kranti Parivartan. Besides, only a few other recognised parties have fielded candidates viz. All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) that has fielded Sheikh Azizuddin Qureshi, Bahujan Mukti Party [Raju Malviya] and Bahujan Sangharsh Dal [Banshi Patidar].

The electorate in Mandsaur have voted, and it will be clear in a fortnight, who will be their new Member of Parliament (MP). Bano Bi is happy at contesting the poll. Once the election is over, she will start preparing for the nagar palika [municipal corporation] election which will be held soon. 

Short story on caste bias, discrimination with poor students in educational institutions

This is the English translation of Ratna Kumar Sambharia's short-story 'Dronacharya Zinda HaiN'. For those who aren't aware of the background, Dronacharya taught royal family's children [in the epic, Mahabharata].

When he saw that a tribal youth Eklavya had better archery skills than his favourite disciple, Arjuna, then Dronacharya asked Eklavya to severe his thumb and give it away in guru-dakshina, so that Arjun remained the best warrior in the world.

Dronacharya had also refused to teach Karna, as the latter didn't belong to the high caste. Incidents of students coming suicides in top education institutions due to caste bias are quite common even today.

Read the story here:

The examination was over and the teacher had just compiled the result. Now, while preparing the merit list, he was looking at the result-sheet when he suddenly got a jolt.

�Ramdin, the son of a mochi (cobbler), is the topper, has got more numbers than anyone else, even ahead of my own son�. �Everyone in the village would spit on my face that the boy [mochi�s son] is more intelligent even though his father mends the shoes�. The Master sahib was really upset.

Furious, he got to his feet and rushed to the other side of the room. He unlocked the almirah and took out the stacks of answer-sheets. One after the other, each stack was opened. One answer-sheet was taken out from each stack and kept aside.

The selected answer-sheets were now placed in a corner of the table. Master sahib, took out his specs, cleaned the glasses and began re-evaluating Ramdin�s answer-sheets. Ample changes were made and the answer-sheets were again placed in the stacks and shut in the almirah.

A new result sheet had been prepared. After failing in the examin, Ramdin had taken up his ancestral work at his father�s shop.

[The story 'Dronacharya zinda hain' or 'Dronacharyas are alive' was originally written in Hindi] Photo courtesy: Yoga With Invention at http://yogawithintention.blogspot.in/

'Religious clocks' sell briskly at this shop: Will you buy Hindu Clock or Muslim Clock?

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Just a few days back, I had an interesting experience. A friend had bought a watch for me as a gift from abroad but I couldn't wear it because its strap [chain] was loose.

That day I went out with the watch in my pocket. On way, I saw a small shop where there was no customer.

It took the man barely a few minutes to take out the links and fix them again, using the hammer and other equipment. 

I asked him, if I could get a good clock. The wall clocks in my house were not working well. In the drawing room, the clock stopped after a few weeks. I changed batteries but nothing happened. I replaced the clocks but the problem persisted.

The shop owner asked me, 'Kaun si ghadi lenge?'. 'Koi si bhi dikha dijiye", I said. "Dharmik [religious] ghadi chalegi?". "Kaun si". "Hindu ghadi ya Muslim ghadi", came the reply. "Ji?" "Yahi zyada chal rahi hain aaj kal", he said. Now I was a bit surprised. He pointed his finger towards these clocks.

There were lines of such clocks. The background had either Hindu gods or Islamic photographs. Hmm, so these are the Hindu and the Muslim Ghadis!

"Log lete hain inko?", I again asked. "Sab se zyada yahi chalti hain, bhai sahab", he said. "Hindu wali mein Ganesh ji wali zyada bikti hai", he added.

There was another interesting aspect. The price range was slightly different. For example, if clocks of A group cost Rs 160, the clocks of B group cost Rs 170.

Now I won't tell you which clock--Hindu or Muslim, is costlier of the two, because it will lead to different interpretations. You can, of course, speculate.

There were no Christian or Sikh clocks though. I came out wondering, why would people buy these clocks?

Is it just a fad. Or because this shop was near a locality of particular economic stratum, that these clocks sold more in this area?

I don't think that big showrooms would have many such clocks. Perhaps, when a person takes home the 'religious clock', the family members are happy.

As they feel that there is another godly or spiritual thingon their wall. People put up religious posters, calendars, photographs on the walls for a variety of reasons. 

So it is the 'Barkat wali ghadi' or as goes the old adage 'Aam ke aam, guthliyo.n ke daam'.

It is also possible that a Hindu may be Muslim clock or a Muslim may buy Hindu clock. Yes, it happens a lot, when people buy gifts, for friends.

Friends have gifted my Perso-Arabic calligraphy in the past. While I end this post, just a reminder. It is a light post. I found it amusing and so wrote about it.

There is a demand for certain type of goods and so they sell. It is not like the 'Hindu water, Muslim water' sold in pre-independent era. So don't take it to your heart. 

Indian Elections: 'Colourless campaigns' in the era of Election Commission's strictness

In my childhood, election season was special. The campaigns were boisterous and colourful.

Loud speakers blared throughout the day and scores of vehicles were hired by every candidate.

The jeeps engaged in campaign would throw pamphlets. The children would run after these vehicles and often got parties' badges and symbols.

But the high-decibel campaigns are now history. In the post-TN Seshan era, the Election Commission (EC) managed to rein in the parties.

The huge expenses were brought under control. It was indeed a positive step. But yes, sometimes, one looks back and recalls how colourful elections were in those days.

In fact, in the recently concluded election, there was such lacklustre campaign that sometime even residents were not sure about the candidates.

While most of the people were aware of the Congress and BJP candidates due to newspapers or their hoardings, not much was known about who else was in the fray [independents, smaller parties].

There were few banners and posters. Contestants were also worried about EC and were over-cautious. They feared that if they were found guilty of higher expenses, then the EC would crack the whip.

Nobody wanted trouble when the model code of conduct is in effect. Officials keep record of all expenses. Recently, a journalist asked an EC official at a press conference about the 'dull and silent campaign'.

The officer said, "Do you like that you wake up in the morning and find your wall painted with a political party's symbol?' The man who posed the question, had nothing to say now.

True, there was huge money involved earlier. Even booths were captured in those days. Now there is enough force deployed that criminal elements and other trouble-makers are restrained. Even though the campaign wasn't too loud, there were banners and posters on prominent places and on road sides.

Surprisingly, the BJP even campaigned in English. This is the first occasion when in North India, [at least in this region], we saw any mainstream party using English in its 'chunav prachar' [election campaign in English, intekhabi tash'heer, in Urdu]. 

Shivraj Singh Chouhan was portrayed as a man with vision, BJP as party with the difference.

Congress listed its own achievements and made promises, as you can see in this billboard in Hindi.

It says what the party has done for Dalits [Scheduled Castes (SCs)] and the Tribals [Scheduled Tribes (STs)].

Other parties were not visible much. A Communist Party of India's (CPI) candidate Shailendra Shaili's poll campaign begins with a famous poet's couplet.

The Communist party candidate who is more active on the ground, has campaigned extensively in Urdu.

Starting with 35 kg ration for every family at a rate of 1 Rupee per kg, it goes a long way in terms of promises.

The CPI contestant wants Urdu given status of a second official language of the state and taking stern action against communal elements.

There is also a lot about the steps to be taken to improve financial condition of labourers, implementation of Sachar panel report et al.

Now the elections are over. The candidates are resting and the fate is now sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

All eyes are now on counting, which will take place a few days later. Then, after a few months, we will all see the campaign for the general elections [Parliamentary polls].

Let's see, how goes the campaigns of political parties then.

[Above are photographs showing Congress, BJP and CPI banners, posters during the Assembly election campaign in Madhya Pradesh. All these photos have copyright of this BLOG]

Halwa-Paratha: Have you eaten this mouth-watering Indian delicacy?

Halwa-paratha is a unique dish. You find it at most Indian mela(s) [fairs].

I am sure after seeing the photograph, you would also be tempted to try it.

As you can see in this photograph, the halwa is mouth-watering.

It is sold mostly in makeshift shops on the roadsides. Its sweet thought not excessively and melts in your mouth.

The halwa is garnished and its a delight to see it. The huge paratha that accompanies it is also quite tasty.

The halwa-paratha is a desi dish and  hence comes quite cheap. For Rs 30-50, you can get enough halwa along with a piece of the Paratha.

It tastes great at the shop, when its hot. Some people prefer only the Paratha, which also has a taste different from the traditional paratha. In fact, the way they are made, you can call them 'giant puris'. In my childhood, I visited a fair on a regular basis with my cousin brother.

I enjoyed the visits all the more because as he was fond of paratha, I got to eat most of the halwa, without having to share that with him. Apart from fairs, it is also sold in specific periods during the year. For example, during Shab-e-Barat, Milad-un-Nabi or Id, you may find it in the Muslim localities.

Also, there are high chances that if a Sufi Saint's Urs is being held, there would be the halwa-paratha shop in the vicinity. Earlier also, I had written a post about Indian Fairs and the food at these mela-thelas. You can read it HERE.

Watching Amitabh Bachchan's movie Coolie, 30 years after its release

Thirty years ago Amitabh Bachchan had got critically injured while shooting for his movie Coolie.

For months he remained in hospital and there were prayers across the country. It was a miracle that he survived.

I still remember the period as newspapers daily published reports about his condition.

In that era, even the children's magazines that rarely dwelt on films, printed special issues with the superstar's photograph on the front pages.

Coolie was released in 1983 [Bachchan was injured in mid-1982]. I was a kid when I saw it. I remembered a few scenes and nothing more. 

In fact, I couldn't even recall the story line. Recently, I again got to see the movie--after a gap of 30 years.

It was a typical formula film of the era. It was still the pre-liberalisation era, when the hero was not a 'Raj Malhotra', who is son of business tycoon.

Today it is unimaginable to have a coolie as a hero in our movies. But this is also a fact that the story line used to be too fantastic.

Perhaps, it was Amitabh's magic, his persona, that he could carry such roles, where the movie absolutely revolved around him.

The criminal, Zafar, comes out of jail and find that the woman, Salma, he wanted to marry, is wedded to one, Aslam Khan. Zafar forcibly takes her away, in process letting dam water flood the locality.

Everyone is marooned in process. Salma who has lost her memory, goes with Zafar [role played by Kader Khan]. Her son Iqbal [Amitabh Bachchan] is also separated from her mother and father.

He grows up on the railway station, working as a porter [coolie].

It was the formula of the seventies and the eighties.

The Angry Young Man grows up with his Hindu uncle, offers Namaz and also leads the Ganpati procession.

There is romance, songs and drama. Also, comedy scenes like making the omelette while hearing recipe on radio.

Rati Agnihotri keeps swapping radio stations--one airing yoga and the other omelette recipe. Like many other movies of the era, Rishi Kapoor is here the side hero, playing the role of a photographer-journalist.

A typical Manmohan Desai movie, it has all the ingredients of the old Mumbai movies.

The 'baaz' [falcon] comes from nowhere every time to save Iqbal or his uncle or the side hero.

There is emphasis on religious identities and the communal harmony among the Hindu-Muslim-Christian characters.

Then, the Coolie's badge, 786, which protects him. Divine intervention also comes when it is needed the most.

From the wish to go to Ajmer, the famous song 'Mubarak ho tumko haj ka mahina...'while the ship taking pilgrims goes for Haj and the green chadar that saves Iqbal, there is a lot of stuff.

Today we call it the 'old formula' but in those days, it worked wonders. A potpourri of all emotions, everything went well at the end.

People getting united because of a tattoo or an old photograph.

The movie stops when the scene when Amitabh had got injured, comes on the screen.

Coolie is a kind of a 'Muslim social' though it is not counted in this genre, as it was basically a masala movie.

Quite a long movie, it represents an era in the Bollywood movies. Critically you can find faults with a lot but this sort of movie can't be made anywhere else, except India.

Here lies the uniqueness of Indian cinema. After a long time, I have rediscovered my interest in movies. Hence, a few more posts may be in the offing on this blog in near future.

[The movie turned out to be super-hit. The first photograph shows the frame when movie was stopped to show the scene where Amitabh had got injured]