India Today Better Stick to Sex Surveys
Friday, 24. July 2009 - 2:09 AM
Here’s one of the secular media templates on writing opinion pieces about the BJP:
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As elections draw near, run a smear campaign. Insinuate that a BJP win looks bleak due to blah blah blah blah.
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If it wins, yell murder and suddenly “discover” sstories of this or that lobby, defections, and how in large regions of the state, the Hindu vote was aggressively mobilized, etc.
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A few months down the line, say the BJP government is riddled with internal dissession.
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If #3 doesn’t work, fall back on the trusted trump card: RSS, VHP, new Hindutva laboratory (for everything else there’s Gujarat and Modi), and how minorities feel unsafe… (aside: I could work in the secular media and retire rich and early).
These are thoroughly predictable because their banality is so transparent. However, once in a while there’s an article that so completely abandons even a pretence of neutrality that it necessitates VIP treatment. I was mildly surprised that a thoroughly despicable piece appeared in India Today, which used to carry some decent pieces till just a few years ago. The tone, tenor, and content of the piece is so vile that we don’t know where or how to begin dissecting it.
That the secular brigade is visibly upset at BJP’s near-total control of Karnataka’s politics isn’t new. But India Today’s hatchet job could have exhibited some class at least in the order of the scantily-clad, designed-to-titillate models on their pages. The piece begins directly with insinuations. Sample this:
After the BJP won 19 seats in the state and became the largest contributor to the party’s Lok Sabha kitty, Karnataka has replaced Gujarat as the BJP’s showpiece state. In the days since, the ruling party in Karnataka—the first and only full-fledged BJP Government in power in south India—has embarked boldly on the party’s Hindutva agenda without being weighed down by the compulsions of coalition allies, as happened in the shortlived first BJP government in November 2007.
Does the author, Stephen David, impute absolute ignorance to his readers? None of this is true. If anything, Yeddyurappa is weighed down by several problems: a simmering rebellion from within, and forget being a showpiece of whatever, he’s unable to get development going at a blazing pace, like Narendra Modi continues to do.
For the record, the 34-member ministry has a token Muslim and a social scientist, but none from the Christian community.
A classic, you do you’re dead, you don’t you’re dead. If the government had no Muslim or Christian member, this same Stephen would’ve yelled minority discrimination! at the top of his lungs. But now that Mumtaz Ali Khan is included, he becomes a mere token Muslim. Nice.
…state Home Minister V.S. Acharya, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar and Animal Husbandry Minister Revunaik Belamagi brainstormed to enact a law to ban cow slaughter to be passed in the Assembly…If this move—aimed at beef-eating minority communities…
The words underlined need no further comment as to the mental make up of this Stephen David. Cow protection somehow becomes an insult to the minorities. Elsewhere in the article, this nauseous eminence says
The Hindu-Muslim group clash in Kyathamaranahalli had bobbed its head in April and was renewed last week over several reasons including the sight of a very provocative object at a mosque.
Take one guess at what that very provocative object could be. No, I didn’t say it was a pig. According to Stephen David, we would ensure communal harmony if we slaughtered a large number of cows as per a predetermined schedule (how about 100 cows a week?) in full view of the minorities. Further,
In a day of blood-letting, three people were knifed to death while a BJP youth wing chief in Mysore, assaulted by miscreants, battled for life in a hospital.
From “Hindu-Muslim group clash,” the BJP leader is assaulted by a religionless “miscreant” who mysteriously emerged from the earth. Stephen David strains to maintain communal harmony even in the choice of his words. Nice.
But word choice is the least of the problems. This article is guilty of at least the following:
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Pathetic ignorance of the situation in Karnataka
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If the author indeed knows the situation accurately but has written what he has written, he is openly lying
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Insinuation, as noted earlier
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Unabashed bias against Hindu organizations and the BJP
Here’s the “evidence” he gives to “conclude” that the BJP government is dangerous.
The riots in Kyatmaranahalli in Mysore: Among other things, a “certain community” in April, desecrated a Ganesha temple and broke several idols of Hindu Gods in a Muslim-majority area. No prizes for guessing that an ex-Congress Minister who coincidentally is a Muslim, is the MLA of that locality. To be fair, the government’s response was swift. Till date, the area is heavily policed and almost cordoned off to public. The media is still refused entry. I suppose there’s no relief in sight to their itch for mischief. Besides, it dishes out articles like this without studying the complete situation.
Conversions: Stephen David completely hides the real threat of conversions and the insult to Hindu Gods at the hands of the Sons of Christ. Search this blog for plentiful information on the subject. Something as trivial as the release of Da Vinci Code is deemed fit to pass through Virgin Mary Sonia Gandhi’s scissors first but describing Hindu saints and Gods in colourful epithets like sons of whores, prostitutes, and adulterers is just business as usual. And so, Stephen David he treads the familiar and filthy path of the Mangalore Pub Attack as the One Explanation. What’s more amazing is this assertion:
The presence of prominent Hindutva mutts, Pejawar and Adamar, in the Mangalore region has heightened the belief of Hindu groups firming their grip on the party.
Make no mistake that “Hindutva” is used pejoratively. Does this ignoramus even know what these Mutts stand for or their record of actually ensuring communal harmony? But, truthfully, Hindu Mutts today are–sadly–largely impotent. Far from whipping up violent passions, they are unable to propagate spirituality and Sanatana Dharma the way they should, or defend it with the same zeal their centuries-past predecessors did. The Sringeri Mutt of today is a completely different entity from what it was under say, Sage Vidyaranya. But no, Stephen David calls them “Hindutva” and he’s published in India Today and so it’s gospel truth (pun unintended).
What’s even funnier–and misleading–is he quotes the Constitution…well, he actually quotes an Archbishop who quotes the Constitution:
Bangalore Archbishop Bernard Moras says the bill will violate the fundamental right of freedom of conscience and freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion under Article 25 of the Constitution. The bill, which was supposed to curb religious conversions made by “force”, “fraud” or “allurement”, Christian leaders point out, has been misused to arrest them on fabricated charges.
Let’s forgive the Father for we think he is interpreting the Indian Constitution thinking it’s the Bible. Let’s read the full text of Article 25:
Article 25. (1). Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion.
The key words here: profess, practise and propagate religion. Narrowing this down to that one important keyword, propagate. Propagate is not synonymous with convert. Do I need to elaborate any further? Besides, these Men and Women of Christ have left behind ample evidence to prove that the ways of God are indeed mysterious: at times, He smiles and cajoles and gives food, and at other times, He threatens, punishes, and even comes out with blazing guns (ask our poor brothers and sisters in the North East). All part of religious freedom. No?
Everything is Hindutva: But nothing deters Stephen David’s quest of attaining the overlordship in the world of idiocy. In his zeal, he begins to brand everything as Hindutva: preventing cow slaughter, Yoga, moral education, Art of Living, Sanskrit (of course!), and midday meals for poor schoolgoing children. Incidentally, has Stephen David read what Article 51 A (g) of the Indian Constitution? It does provide protection for cows and a clause to ban cow slaughter throughout India. Also, Stephen “Ignoramus” David seems to have done shoddy research on Akshaya Patra. Here’s a tidbit:
Akshaya Patra’s kitchens are specially designed by engineers to leverage technology. The largest kitchen, located in Hubli-Dharwad, can prepare hot, nutritious meals for 185,000 students in less than five hours. The organization sources its food stocks from local markets, thereby reducing costs associated with transportation and food spoilage while supporting the local economy. An AC Nielsen Impact Study of the program showed an improvement in school enrollment, dropout rates and classroom performance. Akshaya Patra is a great example of what can be accomplished when the public sector, private sector and civic society collaborate—a cost effective, scalable solution with high quality service delivery.
In a letter, Akshaya Patra was heralded by President Barack Obama as “an imaginative approach that has the potential to serve as a model for other countries.” Akshaya Patra has been recognized by the Limca Book of World Records and was the winner of the 2008 CNBC-TV India Business Leader of the Year Award. In 2007, Harvard Business School developed a case study for its MBA curriculum on Akshaya Patra’s model for precise time management.
More surprise. Akshaya Patra also extends its services outside Karnataka in the following cities among others: Vrindavan, Puri, Hyderabad and Vizag. These cities are in states where non-BJP governments rule. And crikey! Obama has endorsed Akshaya Patra. Now, let’s see what conclusion we arrive at using Stephen David’s Principles of Logic: Mayawati, Samuel Rajashekhar Reddy, and Barack Obama are actually dreaded, closet Hindutvawaadis (shudderrrr!), and Harvard Business School is secretly funded by Bajrang Dal.
What’s next: Karnataka’s waters now show a saffron tinge, its forests are now coloured with a suspicious hue of orange, and the government’s infrastructure projects are designed with a Hindutva agenda so that if a bridge collapses, it’ll fall only on the heads of Minorities?
I mean, is this guy for real? At the least, he could’ve done some decent, basic homework. If he is a journalist, I don’t pity India Today’s over reliance on Sex Surveys to sell copies.
Tch tch.
Tags: Anti-BJP, BJP, BJP Government in Karnataka, Commentary, Hindu Dharma, Hindu Institutions, Hindu Mutts, Hinduism, Hindutva, India, India Today, India Today Sinks to a New Low, Indian Philosophy, Karnataka, Politics, Pseudosecularism Hall of Shame, Sanatana Dharma, Secularism, Stephen David, Stephen David School of Logic
24. July 2009 - 7:42 AM
Hats off to you Sandeep, fanatstic reply to this idiot. I will be sending this article to this slime, hope he has the decency to respond . India today , I believe, is owned by NDTV
24. July 2009 - 7:56 AM
Sandeep
This is only the tip of the proverbial tip of the iceberg. The Chindu (or Xindu – take your pick) has been running these ‘exposes’ in the past few days.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/24/stories/2009072454020400.htm
The case against ISKCON is that they showed a girl with a begging bowl in their adverts. Fine that is in poor taste – but these worthies do not protest when they show beggars in White Tiger – or that biggest beggar showcase of all – Slumdog Millionaire! In fact, they were so proud of it that they literally owned up to it. Remember “Jai Ho” Oscar Fernandes and his pals?
It is indeed sad to see the BJP not hit back at the Congress in the Karnataka parliament!
What are the real audience and objectives of these demands for investigations? This may help us understand.
http://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/13/stories/2009051357300300.htm
http://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/26/stories/2009052659180300.htm
http://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/06/stories/2009050652000300.htm
Interesting that these ‘oppressed’ folks are part of that most enlightened and progressive organization – the CITU. These are the usual Commie worthies – ‘demanding’ rights, wages, and job security – everything under the sun. Of course – delivering nothing in exchange.
In short – these people fattened-off government outlay in mid-day meal schemes. Now that ISKCON is delivering better, cleaner and more nutritious meals (at a cheaper rate mind you) – their revolutionary fervor has been aroused!
24. July 2009 - 9:33 AM
We have quite often blasted these bastards, but until there is change in Hindu character I won’t anything happening.
We have to change, mainly our attitude, Hindutva should become our nationalism, only then we can save this nation. Hinduism not of BJP , but of Shivaji.
24. July 2009 - 11:50 AM
Apart from the justice that you’ve to his piece. The Article 25 was given it’s true meaning by Supreme Court of India. In 1977, a landmark judgement of SC on Article 25 had left the Christian community, more so, the Conversion Community crying. It defied that: ‘Propagating one’s faith was NOT an absolute right’ and had to be determined by Morality. Words to notice here are: ‘Absolute Right’. Mr David and his Archobishop and can do a better job than cribbing about Indian Constitution.
24. July 2009 - 12:06 PM
Good work Sandeep. Your analysis and comentary is as intresting as always.
24. July 2009 - 12:11 PM
The ownership patter of India Today changed about three years ago, with a Western investor picking up stake. Since then, the magazine has taken to anti-BJP, anti-Hindu agenda. It is the White Christians which are controlling the strings of India Today now. The magazine has literally gone to the dogs. Many Christians have been recruited in the editorial deptt. for exactly this kind of reporting.
24. July 2009 - 2:05 PM
Excellent fisk-job Sandeep.
This Stephen guy seems to be good at stringing arbit words together to come up interesting terms. I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I read “Hindutva Mutts”. Highlights the seriousness with which he must have conducted his research to come up with something like this.
24. July 2009 - 3:05 PM
Hi sandeep
This article is real worthy stuff.
Just a little more on the subject of ISKCON
Iskcon/Akshaya Patra never show children with begging bowls. What they do showcase however is the plight of millions of children on the streets who could do with a better life through education. They make a plea to contribute towards the cause of providing ‘access to education’ to the poor child. When pictures and films are shown to prospects ( corporates and individuals ) the whole big picture is laid out there …a picture that aims to inform and sensitize. This ‘girl with a bowl’ is so hilarious!
Akshaya Patra is a damn fine example of a well run private public partnership. Its the same old story : yeh log khud tho kuch karenge nahi, dusron ko karne nahi denge!
The national subsidy(average) received by Akshaya Patra from the various governments is around 50% of the cost of a meal. For the rest, they depend on donations. Why does’nt the program provide meals that is costed within the subsidy received?
Hey stephen! try a bit of pure journalism will you?
Visit one of the centralized hi technology kitchens, have that nutrition packed meal, visit the government school, …and when you see those children waiting with their plates for the Akshaya patra van to arrive…you would have found all your answers!
hema
PS: i worked with the Akshaya Patra Foundation.
24. July 2009 - 9:35 PM
The secular communalists (or vise versa) media (in addition to being anti-national and anti-social (what else they can be when they openly incite hatred)) will always point out that the BJP does not give tickets to the Muslims, Christians etc. In fact they will ask the BJP CM this specific question. But they will never point out that the avowedly racist DMK has never given tickets to Brahmins nor do its leaders consider them as citizens. The same is their attitude in dealing with the racist + communal JDU. Every single scheme implemented by the Nitish Kr Govt is based on caste and community, which needless to say is 100% reserved with ofcourse the kind assistance of the BJP.
Read
Karnataka BJP promises Muslim minister
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/karnataka-bjp-promises-muslim-minister_10046194.html
24. July 2009 - 9:53 PM
If you scan the names of those peddling their trash in the print media, you will find all kinds of weird names. Invariably, you will find the most partisan and hate-inspiring articles by Pandeys/Mishras/Pathaks/Sharmas/ Vishwanathans/Rams etc. Lies, falsehood, concoctions everthing goes in the guise of journalism. Now we find that even foreign politicians are allowed to write their trash in major newspapers, with one of them wishing that India would have its ‘obama’ moment only when a ‘muslim’ becomes a PM!
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-hinduisation-of-politics/437439/
24. July 2009 - 11:55 PM
Hema has put everything in a nutshell when she said “yeh log khud tho kuch karenge nahi, dusron ko karne nahi denge”. Stephen David is just anothe useful idiot getting a lot of money for speaking out against the Hindus.
As for the girl with a bowl, everything depends on the motive and perception. Swami Vivekananda criticized Sanatana Dharma (on casteism, say). So did Wendy Doniger. Even IF they use the same words, their goals are shifted by 180 degrees. No matter how disheartening this is to hear, there is unimaginable poverty in India and to me, it is all right to inform people *appropriately* and no one should complain for doing that. Because, by hiding the truth, we are only contribution to its continuation.
PS – The display of poverty by Iskcon and the makers of Slumdog mill. are as far apart as Wendy Doniger is from Sw. Vivekananda.
25. July 2009 - 12:46 AM
The media in our country has been biased and corrupt for way too long. Honest writers like Shourie, Gurumurthy are too few and far in between. If you just compare a Journalist interviewing a Modi and a Rahul Gandhi(RG), we get to know.
Gujarat 2002 will always haunt Modi, even though he has lead the state in the path of development(even minorities are doing well), I have never seen a Modi interview without mention of the riots since 2002. But no journalist seems to care about what RG was doing on the 26/11 night. Instead RG becomes a inherited prince, he is asked only about the legacy of his father and grand-mother. The toughest question the he would get is “what did you feel when your father was assassinated?” The he would give a enlightened answer saying he has put it behind him and he is ok to forgive the killer. Then we see the whole of the media(irrespective of their exclusivity to the interview) going ga-ga over the udara guNa of RG.
I don’t complain these dirty news channels just reporting what happened to Amitabh’s dog … they are worth doing that.
25. July 2009 - 12:46 AM
“…its forests are now coloured with a suspicious hue of orange,…”
If leaves in India changed colours in autumn, like they do in Northern US and Canada, they too would be labeled as communal and sinister motives would be abscribed to the “Hindutvavadis”. Social justice champions are a demented lot.
25. July 2009 - 3:13 AM
To look for news, somebody should drag him by his ears to the ‘convents’ aka christ-harems of India where padres and nuns are recreating eden or he can investigate christian terrorism in India. This duffer should remember about those who live in glass houses…
25. July 2009 - 4:57 AM
“The objective of induction of Gorshkov… as an aircraft carrier in time to bridge the gap in Indian Navy capabilities has been defeated.” The ship was originally scheduled for delivery in August 2008. There is little chance the navy will get it before 2013.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090725/jsp/frontpage/story_11280957.jsp
25. July 2009 - 2:32 PM
The general rule of thumb in Indian media is that whereas Hindu journos bend over backwards dangerously to the extent of inserting their head in their butt to appear secular, the evangelical and Islamist fundies aggressively assert their identity making the point that their bigotry is now “mainstream”, so you better live with it. That’s the act that Padre Stephen David is putting on here.
26. July 2009 - 9:43 PM
Sandeep,
Is the BJP in Karnatak headed or a big fall from garce? Every time I read about their compromises with corruption I have a feeling that the party has falterred – only to deceive
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/party-loyalists-feel-sidelined-076
first there was B Sriramulu’s multi-crore wedding for his son – and now the Reddy barons capture of the milk federation. Notice the alacrity with which they have cut the CM down to size. why should the electorate not simply vote for the original corrupters than these ones?
27. July 2009 - 6:33 AM
i hope my earlier comment came thru … i do not see it yet .. thnx
27. July 2009 - 1:52 PM
Vivekam,
I didn’t see any comment from you in my moderation queue.
27. July 2009 - 5:58 PM
@ sandeep .. thnx for clarifying … i shall type it again here ..
“wht is the point in whining tht the sekoolar media is unfair …it shuld be a surprise if they ask the tough questions expected to be answered by those in power .. this is like the deer crying that the tiger is not on its side … ya right … instead , arun shourie , gurumurthy , prof vaidyanathan and their ilk need to get together under a mainstream media channel and for once instead of giving interviews , they need to seek interviews , questions and answers from those who have been running happily under the radar … they need to train the next generation as well …. this approach of not engaging in the main stream is about as kindergarten a mistake as they can ever make ..so in the final math , there is no point in complaining that the numbers dont addup .. they wont .. coz u missed up right at step no 1 !”
27. July 2009 - 5:58 PM
@ sandeep .. u might wanna chk ur spam ..coz i think that addition of url doesnt allow it to be poted right away .. thnx again
27. July 2009 - 6:33 PM
Vivekam,
Err…I know how I have set up my comment settings, thank you very much.
27. July 2009 - 9:30 PM
Ghostwriter has said it very right and I am worried too that the Karnataka BJP unit is going to be another Atal Bihari government at the center – came with a bang, went with a whimper … and, did practically everything other than what it promised its voters to do.
Bellaru mining lobby is turning out to be a major source of corruption. What I’m puzzled is that if BJP is making some major compromises with corruption or if things were always like that; its just that the the ELM is hyping things up because BJP is now in power?
28. July 2009 - 11:41 PM
Agree with Ghostwriter, and Bhavananda. Many BJP local leaders, who used to be idealist and fight for Hindu cause, have become fat and are interested more in their own development once BJP came to power. I have witnessed this phenomenon closely in Maharashtra. Same must be happening in Karnataka. Unfortunately, because of their desertion, though they may claim differently, Hindu cause has suffered tremendously. And that is one of the reasons why many hack artists posing as journalists get away after writing such garbage.
30. July 2009 - 6:08 AM
Bhavananda,
What you say is true. But the worst part is atleast the RSS can step in and act tough against corrupt and immoral practices of BJP. I don’t understand where is the high moral ground these days. They haven’t liberated temples out of governmental control in any of the BJP rules states.
30. July 2009 - 7:27 AM
Harish,
The sad reality is that RSS has been totally hijacked by the same people who run the BJP. Its the same group of “liberals” running both the organizations and the so-called hardliners (read – people with some sense of morality, and who are NOT complete opportunists, ready to dump ideology for a seat of power) are either marginalized or unceremoniously thrown out. The rot in BJP is far deeper than anyone could have imagined. How else do you explain the appointment of another liberal at the top post of RSS? Why do you think RSS “requested” Advani to continue even after failing miserably in elections?
30. July 2009 - 9:37 AM
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/16533/church-funds-equal-indian-navys.html
30. July 2009 - 9:38 AM
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/16533/church-funds-equal-indian-navys.html
Sorry for OFT but this is just tip of the iceberg !!!
1. August 2009 - 7:14 PM
India Today was taken over by NDTV and ever since it has changed colours.
Roy and his team picked India Today for a reason. It was the last remaining citadel in the mainstream media which was not towing the Mullah-Marxist-Madam line.
Not any more. The hijack is complete.
2. August 2009 - 12:46 AM
This is rich. Sixty plus years of gross mismanagement of the economy and public funds such that one third of the population is below or near the poverty line. But the government is up in arms when poverty is shown. Thank god for organizations like Akshaya patra which show what a good private-public undertaking can do. I hope they come to Tamil Nadu also.
1. September 2009 - 4:23 PM
I dont subscribe to any of these crap journals and watch such TV channels. I call all these TV and print media reporters (almost 90%) pimps who are ready to deliver any bunnyhead for a price. but whatI am ashamed and cannot digest is have we already fallen prey to these thugs.
5. September 2009 - 9:31 PM
In no other country in the world is there a media which is so overwhelmingly and ferociously against it’s majority people and the interests of the country,as we have in India, that is Bharat.
It is because India is a very large country with a substantial and influential section of English educated whose minds are already made ripe by anti-Hindu bias.
And it is the only country which allows unbridled freedom of course to the anti-Hindu and anti-national mafia.
It is the only country with a culture,customs and tradition that are inextricably intertwined with the day- to- day lives of the people.
The enemies find it very tough to convert the minds of the ordinary poor and unlettered masses.
So they target the English educated class by their Goebbelsian propaganda stoking the inferiority complex already present in them as a result of the education which has not an iota of good to speak about the Nation,it’s past,its heroes and it’s achievemnets.
It is very significant since this section of the populace is the prospective ruling class.
Hence when this section occupies the positions of power they will aid their anti-national and anti-Hindu masters who were their patrons until the other day.
They become puppets and do their master’s bidding mindlessly and shamelessly harming the nation’s future.
With this end in view the media especially the English has been completely monopolised by anti-National and anti-Hindu elements.
Treachery on the part of the mediamen brings rich rewards from the cash rich Christian and Islamic masters who dole out the three Ws liberally.
R.Sridharan
This the first step to anarchy and ultimate dismemberment of our Nation
That is the end game of the Church which is a tool in the hands of the west, communists in respect of China and islamic fundamentalists in respect of Pakiastan and Saudi Arabia and
5. September 2009 - 11:31 PM
Hasn’t “India Today” been purchased by NDTV?
What do you expect?