If my idea of India were limited to Modi and his supporters, I would not be choosing to be an Indian citizen today. Contrary to what Amit Shah assumes, the idea of India is a deeply humane, inclusive and nurturing one. Those who count their fortunes only in terms of power and money cannot see how fortunate they are to be the children of India. They are mere plunderers, who will suck any place dry until it can give no more.
On my evening walks in the colony, I sometimes listen to shabad with frequent references to Kabir, or switch to listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who sings, koi bole Ram Ram ….
There really is no difference in the fervour, the devotion, the love. And no matter the name, Ek Onkar or Brahman or Allah or God, all our hopes, our devotion go to the formless, nameless, unfathomable being/non-being. Why do people hate at all? Why can’t we choose love?
Today, at least 10 people died due to flooding in Assam. Over 200,000 people have been affected. And yet, what do Hindutva goons do? They have a school principal arrested on suspicions of eating beef, a reportedly conventional food item in the region.
Why solve real problems when you can make up imaginary ones of your own choosing? 😡
ChainFastingForPeace
FastingAgainstFascism
ResignAmitShah
FreeSanjivBhatt
ResignModi
May 21: Day 2 of my fast, day 815 of our chain.
The first step towards solving any problem is to acknowledge it. India’s unsolved problems keep accumulating because we keep refusing to see them for what they are.
Our social injustices keep piling up because instead of calling them out for what they are — calling out the bully — we keep piling the blame on the bullied. Why? Because when everyone caves in to the bully, solidarity is too rare to be counted on. We capitulate to bullies even before they attack us.
ChainFastingForPeace
FastingAgainstFascism
ResignAmitShah
FreeSanjivBhatt
ResignModi
May 22:
Day 3 of my fast, day 816 of our chain.
The words may be Diderot‘s, but the confession is mine as a descendant of Gujarati banias:
“In any country where talent and virtue produce no advancement, money will be the ultimate God. Its inhabitants will either have to possess money or make others believe that they do. Wealth will be the highest virtue, poverty the greatest vice.”
As an insider from this world where everything is measured by money, I can only warn against its wretchedness. The world is far far richer than the singleminded pursuit of riches.
Chain Fasting For Peace 