21.8.12

Sajda and the Sadhu


How sorry are the attempts at communal harmony. This picture is an example. The Times of India used this caption:

"A sadhu prays while a group of Muslims perform namaz in Jodhpur on Eid"

Was the sadhu invited? Is he leading the prayer? He is a distance away, so where is the harmony here? Look at the expression of those praying. Their attention is diverted to this spectacle. Besides, I wonder how the devotees would be bowing before their footwear. Sajda to their chappals?

It's better not to project such images. Really. We can all live without variety.

10 comments:

  1. A clichéd response to the media” bhai-bhai” farce.

    To be pedantic, I don’t think there’s any place for an idolator sadhu in the ummah grand scheme of things, much less even to remotely think of he leading the masses as plausible – I digress.

    We are living without variety –or any variety is thrust upon us which has demographically altered North Eastern states – then there are ghettoes – that’s the premise – and maybe this was pan-india-aman-ki-asha charade sans Pakistan and Jung group, trying to illustrate it’s quite possible to live in “harmony”.

    I am cynical too – but, well, pardon the finger-pointing but cannot resist – in Pakistan, he would have been lynched for blasphemy – or trying to impersonate a practising Muslim.

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  2. FV,

    The picture seems contrived. But you sound frustrated.

    What's up? Not the moon, for sure!

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  3. people don't prostrate to the footwear , just that the footwear are in front of them. the sadhu is not exactly praying possibly listening to khutba and making dua (I think) and there is no harm if he is there

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  4. @riyazalam – nice observation – or should I call it fact-stating – my apologies but this supposed observation is devoid of any opinion or insight – more like miniscule narrative-journalism.

    The only time you make an opinion is when you say there’s no harm in there. Interesting choice of words – HARM – I almost typed haram (Freudian slip?)

    I think if I were to fathom some fundamental mixed-emotions that FV might have possibly felt - I’d say she is unhappy, and there are traces of mild-disgust at such MSM travesty.

    A trifle dismissive ala east is east, and west is west, and never the twain shall meet

    Coming back to what you said – I for some reason am particularly curious – what did you say HARM?

    There is no harm in Ahemadiyas calling there “Places of Worship” as mosques.
    There is no harm in assertive hindu identity.

    You could possibly add bits about some victimhood narrative that our respective schools feed us with, just like I did above.

    To co-exist one need not be harmonious – if you are married you’d know

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  5. CandidSpade:

    For political reasons, idolators will be welcomed. There are instances of Hindus participating in Eid, though much less that Muslims at Ganesh pandals.

    Of course, this is a cliché, but what else does one expect? Holding on to the straws of harmony seems less cumbersome than addressing issues.


    I am cynical too – but, well, pardon the finger-pointing but cannot resist – in Pakistan, he would have been lynched for blasphemy – or trying to impersonate a practising Muslim.

    They might just grab him and take him into some conversion chamber...seriously, though, our neighbours aren't too far behind in overt gestures.

    In the other comment, you say:

    I think if I were to fathom some fundamental mixed-emotions that FV might have possibly felt - I’d say she is unhappy, and there are traces of mild-disgust at such MSM travesty.

    Indeed. How well you know me!

    PS: You seem to disappear, and it is noticed.

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  6. F&F:

    What does frustration mean to you? I am sure there is some tantrik dictionary you follow.

    It's always the moon for me. Crescent goes best with my dress.

    Rizwan:

    If the footwear is placed there, then they will end up prostrating before it. I just don't like such public displays of affectation (not typos this).

    Look forward to your reply to CS...I'll spin it later *evil grin*

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  7. I always hover around your blog like a Djinn , and read all the posts , must have been too lazy to comment - or you might not have penned something that would make me retort with competitive assertiveness - you choose :-P

    @Rizwan
    My Apologies having spelled Rizwan as Riyaz

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  8. At the face of all odds and hostile emotions, this sadhu at least tried. Shabaash. And congrats to the Muslims in prayer for being patient with him. Salaam.

    This communal hatred and allergic reactions towards friendly gestures is not a good thing. After all, both Mussalmans & Hindus will continue to co-exist in India. It's not a sojourn of sorts.

    There were many such places in India, before partition, where Hindus and Muslims sat side by side in prayer.

    Examples of Harmony: Shirdi Sai Baba, near Pune. Hinglaaj, now in Pakistan.

    Dhunis of Siddha Haji Pir Ratan Nath in Kabul, Afghanistan; Frontier Province, Peshawar and Khorasan Caves. Ratannath did Haj to Mecca during Mohammad's time.

    Yogi Lokenath's ashram in Barodi, Dhaka. Lokenath also went to Mecca.

    This thirst for blood is a feature from 1942 onwards in India. People have grown so habituated to this unrest, that harmony looks like a dream.

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  9. Candid: I don’t think there’s any place for an idolator sadhu


    I don't see any idols in front of the Sadhu! He could be a yogi, meditating on Formless Paramatman or, a Sikh paying to his Rabba without an image!

    It is prejudice to paint all Hindus as IDOLATORS.

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  10. CandidSpade:

    I'll accept both and the Djinn!

    Amitabha:

    True harmony is not a photo-op. Pity that it gets legitimised only as media images.

    PS: Why is it prejudice if someone sees a sadhu or Hindus as idolators. It is one part of the faith.

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